Acharnians

The Acharnians is a comedy by the ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes, first performed in 425 BCE at Athens during the Archidamian War. Named for the Acharnians, citizens of Acharnae, a deme near the city, the play blends domestic humor with political critique and is one of Aristophanes’ early, explicitly anti-war works. It showcases the sharp wit and inventive staging characteristic of Old Comedy, including the use of a chorus and a parabasis.

The plot follows Dikaiopolis, a tired Athenian farmer who rebels against the ongoing war by securing a private peace with Sparta for himself. With this personal truce, he can live at ease while the city remains at war. He turns his home into a kind of private market and banquet, arranging food and wares from various Greek regions for his friends to enjoy. Through these comic episodes, the play satirizes the war economy, politicians, and the disconnect between public rhetoric and private interest, all while maintaining a lively, humorous tone.

A chorus of old men from Acharnae comments on the action and delivers a parabasis, addressing the audience directly to praise peace and critique those who profit from conflict. The comedy blends domestic scenes, political satire, and theatrical parody, using clever dialogue, topical jabs, and audience interaction to lampoon wartime policy and the rulers who sustain it.

Scholars regard The Acharnians as a significant early example of Aristophanes’ political engagement and a key work in Old Comedy. It influenced subsequent anti-war drama and remains important for its treatment of civic life, diplomacy, and the tension between private interests and public duty in ancient Athens.