Stephanie Zellers

Social Justice and Great Tragedy: Greek Society and the Plays that Represent their Lives

Abstract:

This study will analyze the role in society of the rule of law and the rule of feuding in ancient Athens. By using studies by leading scholars in the field and primary sources in the form of court speeches and popular plays that were performed at the City Dionysia Festival, this composition will support an argument that Athens was neither a feuding society nor ruled absolutely by the law. Instead, both existed and their jurisdictions overlapped, which can be seen much more clearly when using drama as a source and not only philosophy and court speeches.