Aeschylus and Athens: A Study in the Social Origins of Drama

Aeschylus and Athens: A Study in the Social Origins of Drama by George Thomson is a scholarly work that explores the development of Greek tragedy as a social institution intertwined with the evolution of Athenian democracy. Thomson argues that tragedy, particularly through the works of Aeschylus, reflects the transition from tribal society to the democratic city-state (polis). The book examines the origins of tragedy by comparing aspects of material culture-such as food production, technology, and leisure-with the dramatic art form, treating tragedy not only as literature but also as a social and political phenomenon. Thomson delves into themes like totemism in tribal societies and the class struggles that shaped early Greek society, ultimately interpreting Aeschylus’s plays as expressions of the complex social and ideological transformations of his time. The book has been influential and widely used in academic settings, highlighting its role in understanding the social roots of ancient Greek drama.