Achaeus of Eretria facts for kids

Achaeus of Eretria was an ancient Greek writer. He was born in 484 BC on the island of Euboea in Greece. Achaeus wrote many plays, including serious ones called tragedies and funny ones called satyr plays. People in his time thought he was the second-best writer of satyr plays, right after the famous Aeschylus.

A Greek Playwright

Achaeus wrote many plays. Some say he wrote 24, 30, or even 44 plays! We know the names of 19 of them. His first play was shown in 447 BC and even won a prize. A quote from another play suggests he might have died around 405 BC.

Some historians think Achaeus only won one prize because he wasn't from Athens. People in Athens often preferred to honor writers from their own city.

His Style and Influence

Achaeus lived during the classic age of Greece. However, he is not always remembered as one of the "classic" writers today. His satyr plays were very popular. People liked their lively and energetic style.

A philosopher named Menedemus thought Achaeus's plays were excellent, second only to Aeschylus. Another scholar, Didymus, even wrote a book about Achaeus's work. It is said that Achaeus had a clear writing style, but sometimes it could be a bit hard to understand.

Other famous writers also knew Achaeus's work. It is believed that Euripides used a line from one of Achaeus's plays. Also, the famous comedian Aristophanes quoted Achaeus twice in his own plays.

What We Know Today

Most of Achaeus's plays have been lost over time. We only have small pieces, called fragments, of his work. We also know the titles of seven satyr plays and eleven tragedies that he wrote.

Tragedies

• Adrastos (Ἀδράστος)
• Azanes (Ἀζάνες)
• Athla (Ἆθλα)
• Alphesiboia (Ἀλφεσίβοια)
• Eumenides (Εὐμενίδης)
• Theseus (Θησεύς)
• Kyknos (Κύκνος)
• Momos (Μώμος)
• Oedipus (Οἰδίπους)
• Peirithous (Πειρίθους)
• Philoctetes in Troy (Φιλοκτήτης ἐν Τροίαι)
• Phrixos (Φρίξος)

Satyr Plays

• Aithon (Αἴθων)
• Alkmaion (Ἀλκμαίων)
• Hephaestus (Ἥφαιστος)
• Iris (Ἴρις)
• Linos (Λινός)
• Moirai (Μοῖραι)
• Omphale (Ὀμφάλη)

Sources

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain:  "Achaeus" (3)". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. (1870).