Aristophanes' Lysistrata

Premiere: City Dionysia, Spring 411
Scene: gateway to Athenian Acropolis

Prologue: Lysistrata calls an assembly; women of Athens, Sparta, Thebes, Corinth arrive

Plan & oath: abstinence and occupation

• Entry songs (254-386): Old men attack; Old women fight back

Episode 1: Magistrate orders women to leave; Magistrate and Lysistrata debate

• Choral songs (614-705): Tyranny! Family! (polis vs. oikos)

Episode 2: Lysistrata stops deserters

• Choral songs (781-828): a misogynist! a misanthrope!

Episode 3: Myrrhine tempts her husband

• Duet (954-979): Rod's lament

Episode 4: Spartan herald's report

• Choruses call a truce
• Choral song (1043-1071): hopes for peace

Episode 5: Athenian and Spartan diplomats, Lysistrata argues for Reconciliation

• Choral song (1189-1215): let's party!

Episode 6: All celebrate peace

• Exit hymn to Athena