Aristophanes was born around 445BC and died in 385BC. Thus, his life straddled some of Athens' most momentous days. He was the son of Philippos of the deme of Kydathenaion in Athens. Again little is known for sure of his life. It is thought that he may have owned property on Aegina.

11 of his plays survive; we also have some 32 titles and many fragments.

In rough order of composition the survivors are...

427 Daitaleis (banqueters)

426 Babylonians

425 Archarnians

424 Knights

423 Clouds

422 Wasps

421 Peace

414 Birds

411 Lysistrata

Thesmophoriazusae

405 Frogs

392 Ecclesiazusae

382 Plutus

Following these Aristophanes wrote two comedies that he gave to his son Araros to produce (Both are lost). One of these called Kokalos is said to be the first example of New Comedy. Up to the Birds of 427 Aristophanes wrote 'Old Comedy' and stuck rigidly to the established framework. From 427 onward he introduces a progression of changes to the format.

 

 

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