Aeschylus, Eumenides; Orestes judgement

Eumenides is the last surviving part of the story of Orestes(Agamemnon and The Libation Bearers being the first and second), there was one more volume but it has been lost in time.

The Story
The Eumenides is the story of Orestes as he flees from the Furies to the temple of Apollo at Delphi. Once at the temple, he implores Apollo who bars the Furies from his temple. The Furies rage and try to talk their way into the temple. Orestes then flees to Athena's temple in Athens, petitioning her to arbitrate the dispute. Athena convenes a jury and the evidence of the murders is put forward. The jury finds Orestes in the right for killing his mother, in vengeance for her slaying of his Father.

Reflections
The conversation between Apollo and the Furies is quite interesting. The Furies argue that, as older gods they should have precedence, but Apollo doesn't find their argument persuasive. Also, there seems to be no travel time in the play between the temple of Apollo in Delphi and the temple of Athena in Athens. It is curious that the Furies do not catch Orestes between the two temples.

Comparisons
As a continuation of the Libation Bearers, we see Orestes dealing with the aftermath of his actions in killing his mother. Unlike the Libation Bearers and Agamemnon, the gods Apollo and Athena get a lot of lines and are a main part of the action.
In the Eumenides, we see the peace time aspects of Apollo and Athena. Especially Athena, the arbitrator, rather than their aspects in a war, as we see in the Iliad.

Have you read The Eumenides? If so what did you think of it?

Want to read The  Eumenides but haven't? Hopefully this inspires you to take the time to do so.
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