The "Father of Tragedy," Aeschylus was born in 525 B.C. in the city of Eleusis. When Aeschylus first began writing, the theater had only just begun to evolve. Plays were little more than animated oratorios or choral poetry supplemented with expressive dance. A chorus danced and exchanged dialogue with a single actor who portrayed one or more characters primarily by the use of masks. ("Aeschylus" Moon struck bookstore http://www.imagi-nation.com/moonstruck/clsc3.htm).

Most of the action took place in the circular dancing area or "orchestra" which still remained from the old days when drama had been nothing more than a circular dance around a sacred object. ("Aeschylus" Moon struck bookstore http://www.imagi-nation.com/moonstruck/clsc3.htm).

It was a huge leap for drama when Aeschylus introduced the second actor. He also attempted to involve the chorus directly in the action of the play. Aeschylus directed many of his own productions, and according to ancient critics, he is sa

Although Aeschylus is said to have written over ninety plays, only seven have survived. His life laid the groundwork the dramatic arts would need to flourish, and by the time of his death, there were two notable successors ready to take his place--Sophocles and Euripides. In addition, Aeschylus left behind two sons who would carry on his dramatic legacy, and one of them, Euphorion, would even claim first prize at the City Dionysia, defeating both Sophocles and Euripides in 431 BC.("Aeschylus" Moon struck bookstore http://www.imagi-nation.com/moonstruck/clsc3.htm).

Born in 495 B.C. about a mile northwest of Athens, Sophocles was to become one of the great playwrights of the golden age. The son of a wealthy merchant, he would enjoy all the comforts of a thriving Greek empire. He studied all of the arts. By the age of sixteen, he was already known for his beauty and grace and was chosen to lead a choir of boys at a celebration of the victory of Salamis. Twelve years later, his studies complete, he was ready to compete in the City Dionysia--a festival held every year at the Theatre of Dionysus in which new plays were presented. ("Sophocles" Moon struck bookstore http://www.imagi-nation.com/moonstruck/clsc3.htm).

In his first competition, Sophocles took first prize--defeating none other than Aeschylus himself. More than 120 plays were to follow. He would go on to win eighteen first prizes, and he would never fail to take at least second. An accomplished actor, Sophocles performed in many of his own plays. ("Sopho

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