3 h 13 minAudiobook8 minSummaryRead it, hear it, the 15-minute summary, and print and large print at costPaperback · 6 × 9 in · 79 pagesHardcover · 6 × 9 in · 79 pagesAbout this book
A god is chained to a cliff. A city braces for siege. What does it cost to stand firm?
In Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound, the Titan who gives fire and skills to humankind faces the wrath of Zeus. Chained at the edge of the world, Prometheus refuses to yield. The Oceanids gather in pity, while the arrival of the wandering Io brings another face of divine cruelty into view.
The Seven Against Thebes moves behind the walls of a frightened city. King Eteocles prepares its defense as his exiled brother Polynices leads an army against it. The Scout reports the enemy’s champions, and the Theban women cry out in fear. Duty to the city presses against the burden of a family curse.
What you’ll discover
- A rebel on the rock Meet Prometheus as he holds to his choice despite punishment from the ruler of the gods.
- A city under threat Stand with Eteocles as he weighs the dangers gathering at the gates of Thebes.
- Voices raised in fear Hear choruses question, comfort, and pray as powers beyond their reach close in.
- Io’s restless suffering Follow a wandering woman whose torment gives the struggle with divine power a personal cost.
- The shape of tragedy Discover how a single situation and a few voices carry questions of justice, loyalty, and fate.
Is it for you?
This book suits readers who want the roots of drama, lovers of Greek myth, and anyone curious about rebels and rulers. Those who want fast plots and modern speech may find these plays slow, since much of the action is told or sung.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
- A god is nailed to a rock
- Fire was only the first gift
- Io shows what Zeus can do
- A besieged city and a stubborn king
- Terror in the chorus, order in the king
- Defiance, fate and how the plays are made
Who’s who
- PrometheusA Titan who gave fire and skills to humans and is chained to a cliff, refusing to yield to Zeus.
- ZeusThe new ruler of the gods, felt throughout Prometheus Bound as a harsh, fearful power who punishes defiance.
- IoA young woman of Argos, changed into a cow and driven across the world by a gadfly, seeking an end to her wandering.
- The OceanidsThe sea nymphs who form the chorus of Prometheus Bound, pitying him and fearing the anger of Zeus.
- EteoclesThe king of Thebes, a disciplined commander who sets a defender at each gate while carrying the curse of Oedipus.
- PolynicesEteocles's exiled brother, who leads the Argive army against Thebes to claim a share of the throne.
- The ScoutThe messenger who reports each enemy champion and shield to Eteocles, giving the king what he needs to plan.
- The Theban WomenThe chorus of Seven Against Thebes, who fill the city with fear and prayer while the king prepares the defense.
Formats and delivery
- eBook
- On your phone, tablet, computer or Kindle, with the type as large as you like.
- Large-print eBook
- The same book in bigger, clearer type, from the first page.
- Audiobook
- 3 h 13 min, complete, read by Lucas Linden.
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas in about 8 minutes, to read or to hear.
- Paperback
- 6 × 9 in, 79 pages: 6,95 USD when you start free, 12,95 USD on its own.
- Hardcover
- 6 × 9 in, 79 pages: 13,95 USD when you start free, 19,95 USD on its own.
- Large print paperback
- 8.5 × 11 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Large print hardcover
- 8.5 × 11 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
eBooks and audiobooks open right away. Download EPUB or PDF, or send the book to your Kindle. Every printed copy is made when you order it and shipped worldwide; shipping is shown at checkout.
How it works · 60-day guarantee
- Start free. Nothing to pay today; the eBook of this book is yours to keep.
- Read, listen and print. 200,000+ classics as eBook, large-print eBook, audiobook and 15-minute summary, and any book printed at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print, for the whole household.
- We remind you first. We email you 7 days before your first payment. Then your first year is 50% off: 0,14 USD a day, then 0,27 USD a day, never raised. Or 0,66 USD a day on the monthly plan. Cancel online in two clicks.
60-day money-back guarantee. If the library is not for you, ask within 60 days of your first payment and we refund it in full.
25 languages, side by side
Read and hear Aeschylus' Prometheus Bound and The Seven Against Thebes in 25 languages and switch at any time. Or read two side by side, paragraph by paragraph: the way to learn a language with a book you love.
Read it side by side
Aeschylus' Prometheus Bound and The Seven Against Thebes
by Aeschylus
Two Greek tragedies follow a chained god and a besieged city.
Excellent
- Read or listen
- 25 languages, side by side
- Print and large print at cost
- The whole household
Starts right away, on any device
Read free60-day money-back guaranteeRenews every yearCancel anytimeHow it works
Language: Italiano
From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1 of 6
A god is nailed to a rock
Prometheus Bound opens in a wild place at the edge of the known world. Two servants of Zeus, named Power and Force, drag in the Titan Prometheus. With them comes Hephaestus, the smith god, who must do the work of chaining him. Hephaestus hates the task, because Prometheus is his kinsman, but he obeys the new ruler of the gods.
The crime is stated early. Prometheus stole fire and gave it to mortals. Before that, humans lived like creatures in caves, with little understanding. Zeus had meant to wipe them out, and Prometheus alone stood against that plan. For this he is pinned to the cliff with iron through his chest, to hang there for ages.
Renews every year · Cancel anytime
Free gifts
580 USD in free gifts when you start
Every book in every format and in 25 languages, for the whole household. Nothing to pay today.
- 200,000+ classic eBooksIn 25 languages, side by side
170 USDFREE - Every audiobookIn 25 languages, any device
120 USDFREE - 15-minute summariesRead or listen, in 25 languages
60 USDFREE - Print at cost, no markupPaperback, hardcover, large print
60 USDFREE - The whole householdUp to 5 readers
170 USDFREE - A part in rebuilding the libraryNew languages and books for all
FREE
More by Aeschylus
All 2 books
More like this
Free
Free
Free
Free
Our mission
The library burned once. We are building it back.
Every great book, in every language and every format, for every family. Every plan helps pay for new languages, new audiobooks and books for readers who have never had them. Join the movement.
Read our story- Every language25 languages today, side by side, and more every year
- No wastePrinted on demand: no warehouses, no unsold stock, no pulped copies
- For everyonePaperback, hardcover and large print at the cost of printing
Questions about Aeschylus' Prometheus Bound and The Seven Against Thebes
Can I read it free?
Yes. The beginning, from the first page to the end of chapter 1, and the first 5 minutes of the audiobook are free with no sign-up. Start free and the whole book is yours for 90 days, with the eBook to keep. After that, your first year is 50% off. You also get 200,000+ more classics and any book printed at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print. Nothing to pay today: we email you 7 days before your first payment, and you can cancel online in two clicks.
Can I buy just the printed book?
Yes. The paperback costs 12,95 USD on its own. Start free and you pay the cost of printing: 6,95 USD for this paperback, and any other book at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print.
Can my family read too?
Yes. The whole household reads and listens: up to 5 readers, each with their own shelf and their own place in every book.
What if it is not for me?
Cancel online in two clicks at any time and nothing more is charged. If you have paid and the library is not for you, ask within 60 days of your first payment and we refund it in full.
What is Prometheus Bound about?
It shows the Titan Prometheus chained to a mountain by order of Zeus for giving fire and skills to humans. He is visited by sympathizers and by Io, and he refuses to give in.
What is The Seven Against Thebes about?
It follows King Eteocles as seven attackers besiege Thebes, each at a different gate. He assigns defenders while his city panics and the curse of Oedipus hangs over his family.
Why did Prometheus steal fire?
In the play, Zeus wanted to destroy humankind. Prometheus pitied people and gave them fire and then other arts, such as writing, counting and medicine, so they could survive and thrive.
Popular in poetry and plays
See all
Free
Free
Free
Free
