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The Eumenides Study Guide

by Aeschylus

The Eumenides study guide contains a biography of Aeschylus, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Knowledge of the Curse on the House of Atreus and the events of Agamemnon and The Libation Bearers is essential for understanding the events of The Eumenides. For a more detailed look, see the ClassicNotes on Agamemnon and The Libation Bearers. The Curse on the House of Atreus began with a feud between two brothers, Atreus and Thyestes. Thyestes was forced to flee. He made overtures of peace to his Atreus, returning with his children, and Atreus pretended to be appeased. He invited Thyestes to a feast, but he secretly slaughtered all of Thyestes' children and served them to Thyestes in a manner that disguised the true nature of the meat. Thyestes unwittingly ate his own children. At the end of the meal, Atreus revealed to Thyestes what he…

Read the full The Eumenides Summary

• The Eumenides Summary
• About The Eumenides
• Character List
• Major Themes
• Summary and Analysis of Lines 1-139
• Summary and Analysis of Lines 140-234
• Summary and Analysis of Lines 235-565
• Summary and Analysis of Lines 566-753
• Summary and Analysis of Lines 754-1047
• Related Links on The Eumenides
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• The Eumenides: Major Themes
• The Eumenides: Essays
• The Eumenides: Questions
• The Eumenides: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• Aeschylus: Biography