Oresteia

Orestes, attended by Hermes, kneels in exhaustion, before the Athena’s idol in the Parthenon of Athens. He clings to the statue in supplication, awaiting his trial. The Furies enter and berate Orestes for clinging to Athena and attempting to avoid punishment. Orestes is unmoved. He claims he has already begun the rites that will purge him of his crime, and he calls on Athena for aid. The Furies sing a song to bind Orestes; the song describes their role in the world as punishers of wrongdoers.

Athena enters the temple; she has just come back from Troy after hearing Orestes’ cry for help. She asks Orestes and the Furies who they are, then checks herself for needlessly calling strangers into question. The Furies explain the situation; the leader defers to Athena’s judgement because she showed them respect. Athena gives Orestes the opportunity to explain himself.

Orestes explains that he has already undergone rites that have rid him of pollution. He explains his lineage and his crime; he says, “Apollo shares the guilt—/ he spurred me on, he warned of the pains I’d feel / unless I acted” (479-481). Athena is uncertain if she can fairly judge on the matter. She recognizes the merit in Orestes’ case but also acknowledges the rights of the Furies. She decides to “appoint judges of manslaughter, / swear them in, and found a tribunal here / for all time to come” (497-499). She invites the two parties to summon their witnesses while she selects a jury. Athena’s decision incites the Furies’ anger.

The trial takes place at the Aeropagus, a rock outcropping near the Parthenon. Athena calls the trial to order, and the participants take their places. Orestes moves to the Stone of Outrage, while the chorus of Furies reconvenes at the Stone of Unmercifulness. Apollo appears as Orestes’ witness.

The leader of the Furies cross-examines Orestes. Apollo swears, on his infallible power of prophesy, that he instructed Orestes to kill Clytaemnestra; it was the will of Zeus. Apollo describes the ignoble death of Agamemnon and says that Zeus values a father’s life over a mother’s. The leader counters by noting that Zeus “shackled / his own father, Kronos proud with age” (648-649). Apollo counters by saying Zeus can break any chains, but he cannot undo death. He contends that women merely nurture a child within them; life itself comes from man. He uses Athena, who sprouted from Zeus’s forehead, as an example. Apollo concludes by promising Athena that Orestes and his descendants will forever be her allies. Apollo and the leader rest their cases and bid the jury to cast their lots.

Athena decrees this trial to be the beginning of the Athenian justice system. Trials by jury will emulate Orestes’ trial, and she urges her people to never deviate or change this law. The judges cast their votes.

The leader of the Furies warns the judges, “Beware. Our united force can break your land. / Never wound our pride, I tell you, never” (726-727). Apollo warns the Furies not to disrespect his or Zeus’s oracles. The leader is not disturbed by Apollo’s threats; she cites instances of the god’s failings.

Athena casts her vote for Orestes: She takes the father’s side because she had no mother. Orestes and the Furies anxiously await as the votes are tabulated. Athena declares, “The man goes free, / cleared of the charge of blood. The lots are equal” (767-768). Hers was the tiebreaking vote.

Overjoyed, Orestes makes a solemn oath to Athena and the city of Athens: Argos will never wage war on Athens. If the Argive people forget this oath, Orestes will punish them, even if it is from beyond the grave. He leaves, followed by Apollo, leaving the Furies reeling.

The Furies blame the younger gods for overturning their birthright of punishing wrongdoers. Athena reassures them that the trial is just and that the Furies suffered no disgrace by Orestes’ acquittal. She promises the Furies that her people will revere them. Gradually, Athena is able to convince them to become guardian deities in Athens, where they will be treated with great reverence by the mortal Athenians. Athena summons the women of the city to dress the Furies in robes of red. Athena leads the Furies and the women, who sing a song honoring the Furies, out of the theater and into the city.