Lysistrata, The Acharnians, The Clouds by Aristophanes

Brilliant, subversive, and timelessly human, Aristophanes’ comedies remain the most dazzling works of the ancient stage. In Lysistrata, women wage peace through a bold act of defiance; The Acharnians celebrates one man’s rebellion against the madness of war; and The Clouds skewers the pretensions of philosophy and education. Irreverent yet profound, these plays reveal the wit, daring, and insight of a writer who saw laughter as the most powerful weapon of truth.