Ascend - The Great Books Podcast Aeschylus' Oresteia: The Eumenides Explained Part Two
Feb 25, 2025
Join Dr. Frank Grabowski, a Philosophy PhD professor and diaconate candidate, alongside Thomas Lackey, an independent scholar, as they delve into Aeschylus' Eumenides. They explore the evolution of justice from blood vengeance to a procedural approach, highlighting Athena's pivotal role in the transformation. Their fascinating dialogue covers the significance of the trial at the Areopagus, linking mythological themes to Athenian politics, and examines the cultural implications of storytelling in shaping justice over time.
01:45:31
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Justice and Transformation in Aeschylus' Oresteia
03:16 • 32min
Exploring Early Christian Heresies and Mythological Parallels
34:47 • 4min
Justice and Procedural Law in Aeschylus
38:29 • 14min
Evolving Concepts of Justice in 'Oresteia'
52:32 • 30min
The Power of Narrative in Justice
01:23:01 • 11min
The Politics of Language and Justice
01:33:57 • 1min
Exploring Aeschylus' Oresteia
01:35:24 • 10min
Oresteia
Aeschylus
Utilitarianism
John Stuart Mill
In this work, Mill provides a comprehensive explanation of utilitarianism, addressing its core principles and responding to various criticisms.
He argues that happiness, understood as pleasure and the absence of pain, is the ultimate goal of ethical conduct.
Mill distinguishes between higher and lower forms of happiness, preferring intellectual pleasures over bodily ones.
He also discusses the compatibility of utilitarianism with individual rights and justice, arguing that justice has a utilitarian basis and that actions are right in proportion to their ability to promote general happiness.
Inferno
Dante Alighieri
Inferno is the first part of Dante Alighieri's epic poem, The Divine Comedy.
It describes Dante's journey through the nine concentric circles of Hell, each representing a different level of sin and punishment.
Guided by Virgil, Dante encounters various historical and mythological figures, witnessing their punishments which are symbolic of their sins.
The poem is an allegory of the soul's journey towards God, with Inferno representing the recognition and rejection of sin.
Dante's journey through Hell is also a personal and spiritual exploration, reflecting his own struggles and the political and social issues of his time.
Iliad
Homer
Areopagitica
A Speech of Mr. John Milton for the Liberty of Unlicenc'd Printing, to the Parliament of England
John Milton
Published in 1644, 'Areopagitica' is a prose polemic that defends the freedom of speech and expression.
Milton argues against the Licensing Order of 1643, which required government approval for all published books.
He contends that censorship is a tool of tyranny, ineffective in eradicating heresy or falsehood, and instead fuels curiosity and strengthens the desire for forbidden knowledge.
Milton emphasizes the importance of open discourse and the pursuit of truth, using historical, philosophical, and practical arguments to support his stance.
He also advocates for self-discipline among authors, urging them to ensure their works are morally responsible.
Despite its immediate failure to repeal the licensing order, 'Areopagitica' has had a lasting influence on the literature of human rights and freedom of expression.
Republic
Britain's Revolutionary Decade 1649-1660
Alice Hunt
Alice Hunt's 'Republic' is a comprehensive history of the tumultuous decade in England following the English Civil War and the execution of Charles I. The book divides into three parts, focusing on the cultural developments and innovations of the period, including the rise of intellectual life and the formation of the Experimental Philosophy Club, which later became the Royal Society.
Hunt provides a balanced view of Oliver Cromwell's role and the eventual restoration of the monarchy, emphasizing that this period was not just an 'interregnum' but a time of significant change and innovation.
Nicomachean Ethics
Aristotle
The Nicomachean Ethics is Aristotle's most renowned work on ethics, focusing on the science of the good for human life.
The text is divided into ten books and discusses the concept of eudaimonia, often translated as 'happiness' or 'flourishing,' which is achieved through living a virtuous life.
Aristotle argues that eudaimonia is an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue, emphasizing the importance of reason, moral virtues, and the pursuit of excellence.
The work also explores the division of the soul, the role of rationality in human life, and the ultimate goal of human activity, which is to achieve happiness through virtuous actions and a complete life.
Odyssey
Homer
Medea
Euripides
The play revolves around Medea, a Colchian princess and sorceress, who seeks revenge against her husband Jason after he decides to marry Glauce, the daughter of King Creon of Corinth.
Medea, feeling betrayed and dishonored, plots to kill Glauce, Creon, and her own children to inflict maximum pain on Jason.
With the help of Aegeus, King of Athens, who offers her sanctuary, Medea executes her plan, leading to the tragic deaths of several characters and her eventual escape in a chariot provided by her grandfather, the sun-god Helios.
The play explores themes of injustice, revenge, and the power of women in ancient Greek society.
Summa theologica
Thomas Aquinas
The Summa Theologica is a comprehensive work divided into three parts.
The first part deals with God, the creation of the world, angels, and the nature of man.
The second part is subdivided into two sections: the first part of the second part discusses general principles of morality and law, while the second part of the second part addresses morality in particular, including individual virtues and vices.
The third part, left unfinished by Aquinas, focuses on the person and work of Christ and the sacraments.
The work also includes a posthumous supplement that concludes the third part and discusses Christian eschatology.
Aquinas drew on Aristotelian and Augustinian influences and aimed to integrate faith and reason in his theological arguments.
1 John
John the Apostle
The Book of 1 John is a pastoral and polemical letter aimed at combating the heresy of Gnosticism, which was emerging in the early Christian church.
John writes to reassure believers of their faith in Jesus Christ and to provide clear guidelines on what it means to be a true follower of Christ.
The letter emphasizes the importance of fellowship with God and with other believers, the necessity of confessing sins, and the assurance of salvation through faith in Jesus.
It also warns against false teachers and antichrists, and it underscores the principles of love, holiness, and security in the Christian life.
Theogony
Hesiod
Works and days
Hesiod
Hesiod's Works and Days is a didactic poem that offers practical advice on farming, social conduct, and justice.
It provides insights into the daily life of ancient Greek farmers and their struggles.
The poem also includes myths and legends, illustrating the consequences of good and bad behavior.
It's considered a valuable source for understanding ancient Greek society and values.
The poem's focus on work ethic, justice, and social order makes it a significant contribution to ancient Greek literature.
Oedipus Rex
Sophocles
Written by Sophocles and performed between 430 and 426 BCE, *Oedipus Rex* is a classic Greek tragedy that revolves around King Oedipus's quest to save Thebes from a plague.
The play unfolds as Oedipus searches for the murderer of his predecessor, King Laius, only to discover that he himself is the culprit.
This revelation leads to the tragic downfall of Oedipus, who blinds himself after learning of his patricide and incest.
The play explores themes of fate, free will, and the tragic flaw of hubris, and it remains a foundational work in Greek drama, influencing countless subsequent playwrights and storytellers.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
The Gawain Poet
The poem tells the story of Sir Gawain, a knight of King Arthur's Round Table, who accepts a challenge from the mysterious Green Knight.
Gawain beheads the Green Knight, who then picks up his head and sets a date for Gawain to meet him at the Green Chapel in a year and a day.
The narrative follows Gawain's journey to the Green Chapel, where he faces various tests of his honor and chivalry, including encounters with the Lord and Lady of a castle.
The poem delves into themes of mortality, the inevitability of death, and the importance of keeping one's word and adhering to knightly duties.
Law, Legislation and Liberty
Law, Legislation and Liberty
A New Statement of the Liberal Principles of Justice and Political Economy
Friedrich Von Hayek
This work, spanning three volumes, is a detailed examination of the conditions necessary for human freedom.
Hayek argues that a free society must be governed by general and abstract rules rather than by specific legislation aimed at achieving social justice.
He critiques the notion of social justice, arguing it is incompatible with the functioning of a complex market society.
Hayek advocates for a system where law evolves from customary practices rather than solely from legislation and proposes a constitutional framework that limits government power through a division of power between two distinct democratically elected assemblies and an independent constitutional court.
LEVIATHAN
Thomas Hobbes
Published in 1651, 'Leviathan' by Thomas Hobbes is a comprehensive treatise on political philosophy.
The book is divided into four main parts: 'Of Man,' 'Of Commonwealth,' 'Of a Christian Commonwealth,' and 'Of the Kingdom of Darkness.
' Hobbes argues that the natural state of humans is one of conflict and anarchy, and that the best way to achieve peace and security is through the establishment of a commonwealth governed by an absolute sovereign.
This sovereign, which Hobbes terms the 'Leviathan,' has supreme authority over all aspects of governance, including law, religion, and public offices.
Hobbes' work is a foundational text in social contract theory and continues to influence political thought to this day.
Commentary on 1 John
Commentary on 1 John
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St. Bede
St.
Bede's commentary on 1 John is a significant work of early medieval biblical interpretation.
Bede, a renowned scholar of his time, offers detailed exegesis of the text, drawing on patristic traditions and his own theological insights.
His commentary provides valuable insights into the understanding of 1 John in the early medieval period and sheds light on the theological debates and concerns of the time.
Bede's work is a testament to the enduring importance of biblical interpretation and its role in shaping Christian thought.
1812 Overture
1812 Overture
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" is a celebrated orchestral work that commemorates Russia's victory over Napoleon in 1812.
The piece is known for its dramatic use of cannons and its depiction of the battle's intensity.
Its powerful melodies and its evocative imagery have made it a popular and enduring work in the classical music repertoire.
The "1812 Overture" is often performed on special occasions and continues to be enjoyed by audiences worldwide.
Dcn. Harrison Garlick is joined by Dr. Frank Grabowski and Mr. Thomas Lackey to discuss the end of the Oresteia, the second part of the Eumenides.
Check out thegreatbookspodcast.com.
Check out our guide to the Oresteia.
The first half of the Eumenides demonstrates Aeschylus’ ability to dramatize philosophical questions. The old system of justice, bound to the Furies’ blood-soaked vengeance, has proven incomplete. The Olympian purity rituals are not a sufficient answer either.
Athena’s brilliance is found in pushing the concept of justice forward into a more dispassionate, procedural affair while also discovering how to incorporate the ancient powers. As Lackey notes, “Justice here becomes communal—rooted in reason but enriched by tradition.” The second half of the Eumenides promises a trial that will decide not only Orestes’ fate but that of justice itself.
The second half of Eumenides begins with a dramatic shift in scene. Athena elects to conduct the trial at the Areopagus also known as the “Crag of Ares” or the “Hill of Ares.” It is a mythical place of justice, as it bears its name from when Ares was accused of murder and tried there by the gods. It is a place of divine judgment. It was also said to be an ancient place of council for the Athenians. As such, Aeschylus bridges mythology and Athenian politics to create a new myth on the maturation of justice.
Overall, the trial allows Aeschylus to bring the contrasts he’s been making throughout the Oresteia into explicit dialogue. The trial begins, and Apollo serves as an advocate for Orestes (582). One wonders whether Agamemnon is helping his son as well (604).
Notice the questions from the Furies are reductive and without nuance (591). The Furies again do not recognize the murder of a spouse as meriting their vengeance (611). Apollo appeals to the authority and power of Zeus (626), and one wonders whether justice here is reducible to the will of he who has the most power. The Furies makes the clever argument that even Zeus shackled his own father, Cronos (648), and Apollo retorts that Cronos could be unchained—he was not murdered (655).
Next up we are reading Dante's Inferno for Lent!
Then we'll return to the Greek plays to read Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus.