The Canon Library
Cover of The Oresteia

Ancient · Tragedy

The Oresteia

by Aeschylus. A cycle of blood vengeance is transformed into public justice, dramatizing the emergence of law from tribal retaliation.

Date
458 BCE
Origin
Ancient Greece
Era
Ancient
Genre
Tragedy
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
Medium
Collection
The Western Canon

Subjects and themes

JusticeRevengeCivic Order

Why it matters

A cycle of blood vengeance is transformed into public justice, dramatizing the emergence of law from tribal retaliation.

This work is included in the collection on the basis of great books / bloom. Its cataloged influence level is 5 out of 5.

Related works

Book

Antigone

Sophocles · Ancient · Tragedy

Book

Hamlet

William Shakespeare · Early Modern · Tragedy

Reading lists featuring The Oresteia

Reading path

Essential 100

A century of works that gives the broadest useful first view of the Western canon. 100 books · Advanced.