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Overview
Lysistrata, written by Aristophanes and first performed in 411 BCE, is a classical Greek comedy about women who withhold sex from men during the Peloponnesian War to force them to enter peace negotiations
. Notably, the play is an early example of gender roles and sexual relations in a society dominated by men. With Lysistrata, Aristophanes transformed the conventions of the Old Comedy form by shifting the dramatic structure that was popular at the time. Because theatre was a prevalent form of entertainment and education in Greek society, the play’s focus on women and gender addressed a little discussed political issue at the time.Read the full play summary and an in-depth character analysis of Lysistrata from in Lysistrata.
