Aristophanes (445-380 BC) - Greek comic playwright who wrote in the style
known as Old Comedy, a free and farcical form that allowed him to ridicule
the public figures and institutions of his time. Despite difficulties in
translation, most of his sharp-witted humor still comes through today.
The Wasps (422 BC) - Aristophanes attacks the Athenian government for paying
citizens for jury duty, a practice initiated by the demagogue, Cleon. This
play includes a hilarious trial of a dog accused of stealing cheese.
