The Acharnians
The Acharnians is a play by the ancient Greek Aristophanes. Written and performed during the Peloponnesian War, it is famous for its anti-war stance.The play is set in 425 BC; Athens is at war with Sparta, and has declared a trade embargo with neighboring Megara. Dikeopolis, a war veteran himself, is sick and tired of the war; he declares a truce with the enemy, and opens up his home as a sort of free-trade zone.
A chorus of Acharnian coal-peddlers wants to lynch him, but he holds them off by holding a bag of coal hostage, threatening to dismember it if they attack. He eloquently denounces the war and the false pretenses under which it was started. General Lamachus shows up, and the two men exchange insults. The chorus is convinced by Dikeopolis, and is now favoring peace.
Dikeopolis opens his market. Comedy ensues. A Megarean puts his two young daughters in a sack, and sells them off as pigs. A Boeotian merchant buys an Athenian police informant; he plans to make money by displaying him as a wild beast back home. In the end, Dikeopolis enjoys a huge feast with the goods he has accumulated; while Lamachus returns from battle bloodied, defeated and shamed.
Throughout the play, Aristophanes takes every opportunity to make fun of the Athenian establishment; Euripides, the Prytanes, the Generals, and, of course, Cleon, whom he also lampoons in The Knights.
While not as well known as Lysistrata, The Acharnians is nevertheless one of Aristophanes' finer efforts.