Aristophanes

Aristophanes, often hailed as the father of comedy, was a playwright in ancient Athens, flourishing during the 5th century BCE. His sharp wit and keen observations of Athenian society came to life through his vibrant characters and clever plots. Aristophanes was known for his satirical take on politics, philosophy, and the cultural happenings of his time, providing a humorous yet critical lens on the world around him. Some of his most celebrated works include "Lysistrata," where women take a stand for peace, and "The Clouds," which humorously critiques the sophistic philosophers of his day.

Exploring the works of Aristophanes offers a delightful glimpse into the comedic landscape of ancient Greece, showcasing not only his masterful use of language but also the timeless nature of his themes. His plays are rich with humor, absurdity, and insightful commentary, making them resonate even today. We invite you to dive into his captivating stories and discover the laughter and wisdom that have entertained audiences for centuries.

The Frogs

Read by LibriVox Volunteers


Aristophanes



Athens is in a sorry state of affairs. The great tragedian, Euripides, is dead, and Dionysus, the god of the theater, has to listen to third…

The Clouds

Read by Expatriate


Aristophanes



Strepsiades is an Athenian burdened with debt from a bad marriage and a spendthrift son. He resolves to go to the Thinking Shop, where he c…

Lysistrata

Read by LibriVox Volunteers


Aristophanes



Lysistrata read by a group of college students.First performed in classical Athens c. 411 B.C.E., Aristophanes’ “Lysistrata” is the original…

Lysistrata (version 2)

Read by LibriVox Volunteers


Aristophanes



Lysistrata has had enough. She is tired of the constant war that is ravaging Greece and has come up with a solution: Together with female fr…

Lysistrata (version 3)

Read by Phil Chenevert


Aristophanes



The women of Athens are sick of the Peloponnesian war that has dragged on for year after year after year, causing great hardship to everyo…

Chorus of Women

Read by LibriVox Volunteers


Aristophanes



LibriVox volunteers bring you 16 recordings of Chorus of Women by Aristophanes. This was the Weekly Poetry project for October 21, 2012.Aris…

The Acharnians (Billson Translation)

Read by Expatriate


Aristophanes



Loaded with cryptic, nearly indecipherable inside jokes and double entendres, this early comedy of Aristophanes has a simple, anti-war premi…

Peace

Read by Phil Chenevert


Aristophanes



The 'Peace' was brought out four years after 'The Acharnians' (422 B.C.), when the War had already lasted ten years. The leading motive is t…

The Birds

Read by LibriVox Volunteers


Aristophanes



"The Birds' differs markedly from all the other Comedies of Aristophanes which have come down to us in subject and general conception. …