However, the original version of the comedy was written in Ancient Greek, and thus the primary source used is one of the numerous translated editions that exist, featuring commentary and other textual notes, by Jack Johnson. With this, the only primary source that was available in researching Lysistrata was, of course, Aristophanes’ work itself. As modern classicists, we are aware that primary sources from Classical Greece are few and far to come by in their original format – many have elements that may have been lost in translation, and some sources may have been left behind entirely. To begin, it is important to analyze the primary sources that were used in researching Lysistrata and its history. With this, the goal of this research is to examine Aristophanes’ play itself, analyze the role of women in the work, and observe how this role carries out into modern adaptations of the work. Because it combines both farce with truthfulness regarding the context of the work during the Classical period, Lysistrata is a valuable resource when it comes to understanding how women and their sexuality functioned in society, as well as how these functions developed throughout history.

Since premiering, it has spawned many modern versions and portrayals, and is often quite well-recognized due to its controversial and hilarious content regarding sexuality and its power over the citizens of Greece during the Peloponnesian War.

Lysistrata, the comedy by Aristophanes, was written to be performed in the 5 th century BCE and is still one of the most significant resources we have regarding the roles and actions of women in Classical Greece.

Lysistrata text