Abstract

The focus of this dissertation is the Acharnians , a play written in 425 BC by the comic playwright Aristophanes. This comedy, or trugodia as Aristophanes refers to it, was written in the sixth year of the Peloponnesian War and revolves around the trials and tribulations of an Attic farmer named Dikaiopolis (Just Polis) in his quest for peace. Three main arguments are made in the course of this dissertation. The first is that the Acharnians is an anti-war/pro-peace play and not a pro-war or a neutral play. The second argument is that Dikaiopolis is a non-selfish, compassionate, conciliatory figure with a deep concern for the common good of his community. Dikaiopolis' deliberations about the war policies take place with Athens' well-being in mind. Dikaiopolis' preoccupation with his (seemingly) private welfare, I argue, is a dramatic, rhetorical ploy whose objective is to demonstrate that peace is preferable to war. My third argument is that Aristophanes had a clear intention in writing this play; the persuasion of the rural voting population, or, at the very least, the historical Acharnians, to the side of the "peace party". According to Dikaiopolis' political philosophy, the road to peace lies in a sustainable society which engages in just relations with other states. Part of that justice entails, among other things, not meddling into the affairs of other states.