The Suppliants

The Suppliants is a play by Aeschylus an ancient Greek playwright and it is part of a trilogy known as The Danaid Trilogy. The play was first performed in 463 BC as part of the City Dionysia festival in Athens. The play tells the story of the fifty daughters of Danaus who have fled from Egypt to escape forced marriages to their cousins the fifty sons of Aegyptus. They arrive at the city of Argos seeking refuge and help from the king Pelasgus and his people. The play explores themes of justice hospitality and the duties and responsibilities of rulers to protect the weak and vulnerable. The daughters of Danaus plead with the king and the people of Argos to protect them from their pursuers who are intent on capturing and forcing them into marriage. The play also features a chorus of Argive women who sympathize with the plight of the Danaids and urge the king to provide them with shelter and protection. Despite the objections of some of his advisors Pelasgus ultimately agrees to help the Danaids and he leads the Argive army in a battle against the pursuing Egyptians. In the end the Danaids are saved and they pledge their loyalty and gratitude to their new home and its people. The Suppliants is a powerful and moving play that explores important themes of justice hospitality and the responsibilities of rulers. It is also notable for its depiction of strong and courageous women who refuse to be victimized and who fight for their freedom and dignity.