Greco-Roman Philosophers

Aeschylus

c. 525–456 B.C.E.

Greek poet and tragedian. The subject of numerous commentaries by Alexandria Library scholars, Aeschylus was the first great Greek playwright. His best known work is a trilogy of plays, called the Oresteia, tracing the tragedy of the family of King Agamemnon after his return from the Trojan War.

Herodotus

c. 484–425 B.C.E.

Greek historian. Born in Halicarnassus, Asia Minor, Herodotus traveled widely in the Middle East, North Africa and Italy. During his travels, he collected material for his great narrative history, the Persian Wars, a vivid record of the wars between the Greeks and the Persians.

Aristophanes

c. 450–388 B.C.E.

Greek poet and comic playwright. Critical editions of many of Aristophanes’s plays (only 11 have survived) were produced at the Alexandria Library. His works include a comic treatment of the war between the sexes (Lysistrata) and satires of earlier poets (Frogs) and philosophers (Clouds).