Aeschylus (c. 525/524 – 456/455 BC) was an ancient Greek tragedian, often called the "Father of Tragedy". He transformed drama by adding a second actor, allowing character interaction beyond the chorus. Aeschylus wrote around 70 – 90 plays, but only seven survive, including The Persians, Seven Against Thebes, and The Oresteia, the only extant ancient trilogy.
Born in Eleusis near Athens, he came from a noble family and fought in key battles of the Persian Wars, including Marathon and Salamis. The impact of these wars shaped his works, notably The Persians, which depicted the Greek victory. He frequently won the City Dionysia festival, earning great acclaim.
Later in life, Aeschylus traveled to Sicily, where he died, reportedly when an eagle dropped a tortoise on his head. His epitaph honored his military service, rather than his theatrical achievements. He remains a foundational figure in Western literature, influencing later playwrights like Sophocles and Euripides.