Lysistrata

Lysistrata the play has been classified as an old comedy.  It was completed in 411 B.C. by Aristophanes, during the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta.  Aristophanes wanted to make people laugh, when Lysistrata was staged.  He also sought out to deliver a message to a Fifth Century audience, that the war between Athens and Sparta was an exercise in stupidity, as well as a senseless waste of people and resources.  Lysistrata play begins with an exposition to save and unite all of Greece, by an organized strike, in which Greek women refuse to have sexual relations with their husbands, in order to end the war.  Lysistrata, a Athenian housewife, has summoned an urgent meeting.  She has invited all the women from the warring regions to assemble at the Akropolis in Athens.  Lysistrata has planned to inspire these women, to present a united front against their husbands.  Lysistrata claims that all hope of ending the war lies with the women and they finally agree to her plan.  The women will refuse sex with the men until a treaty for peace between Athens and Sparta has been signed.  The women have also planned to seize the Akropolis (Treasury), including the temple of Athena.  This will be done to prevent the Athenians from using the money from the treasury for the war. 

The play ends with the women being victorious and Lysistrata emerges from the Akropolis building, as a daring heroine.   She brings out the goddess of peace and gives a reproachful speech.  Lysistrata reminds the warriors on both sides that they lay waste of one another’s cities.  The men see the wisdom of her words and peace is made, and the men and women celebrate together.  I believe the play is well written and its attempt to present the world as a better place when men spend more time loving their wives, than their weapons or war is well received.