The Suppliants (Greek "Hiketides", also translated as The Suppliant Maidens) is a play by Aeschylus. It was probably first performed sometime after 470 BC. It was once thought to be the earliest surviving play by Aeschylus due to the relatively anachronistic function of the chorus as the protagonist of the drama. However, recent evidence places it after The Persians as Aeschylus's second extant play. Aeschylus (525 BC—456 BC; Greek: Ασχύλος) was a playwright of ancient Greece. ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 5th century BC - 6th century BC Decades: 520s BC 510s BC 500s BC 490s BC 480s BC - 470s BC - 460s BC 450s BC 440s BC 430s BC 420s BC Years: 475 BC 474 BC 473 BC 472 BC 471 BC - 470 BC - 469 BC 468 BC... In classical music a chorus is any substantial group of performers in a play, revue, musical or opera who act more or less as one. ... The protagonist is the central figure of a story, and is often referred to as a storys main character. ... Drama is a term generally used to refer to a literary form involving parts written for actors to perform. ... The Persians (Πέρσαι) is a tragedy by the ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus. ... A play is a common form of literature, usually consisting chiefly of dialog between characters, and usually intended for performance rather than reading. ...

In it, the Danaides form the chorus and serve as the protagonists. They flee a forced marriage to their Egyptian cousins. When the Danaides reach Argos, they entreat King Pelasgus to protect them. He refuses pending the decision of the Argive people, who decide in the favor of the Danaides. Danaus rejoices the outcome, and the Danaides praise the Greek gods. Almost immediately, a herald of the Egyptians comes to attempt to force the Danaides to return to their cousins for marriage. Pelasgus arrives, threatens the herald, and urges the Danaides to remain within the walls of Argos. The play ends with the Danaides retreating into the Argive walls, protected. Danaus, or Danaos (sleeper) was a Greek mythological character, twin of Aegyptus and son of Belus, a mythic king of Egypt. ... Argos (Greek: Άργος, Árgos) is a city in Greece in the Peloponnesus near Nafplio, which was its historic harbor, named for Nauplius. ... In Greek mythology, Pelasgus referred to several different people. ... Argos (Greek: Άργος, Árgos) is a city in Greece in the Peloponnesus near Nafplio, which was its historic harbor, named for Nauplius. ... Danaus, or Danaos (sleeper) was a Greek mythological character, twin brother of Aegyptus and son of Belus, a mythical king of Egypt. ... In Greek mythology, Pelasgus referred to several different people. ... Argos (Greek: Άργος, Árgos) is a city in Greece in the Peloponnesus near Nafplio, which was its historic harbor, named for Nauplius. ...

Online E-Text of The Suppliants, at The University of Adelaide Library