References in Lysistrata

By Aristophanes

Aristophanes carefully picked the names of his characters. The significant names are as follows:

Lysistrata means disbander of the armies which is exactly what she does in Lysistrata

Lampito was a common upper class Spartan name in Aristophanes time

Kinesias is derived from kinein (v.) which translates into to move (slang for copulate )

Myrrhine is associated with Kinesias. Therefore her name is associated with myrtle (slang for the female genitals)

Kalonike means beautiful victory

During the time that Aristophanes wrote, both tragedy and comedy were performed at Athen s winter festivals honoring Dionysus.

The antistrophe and strophe are common aspects of classical Greek drama. The strophe is the first choral ode sung by one chorus. The antistrophe is in response to the strophe and is sung by another chorus.

The Two Goddesses that are referred to in Lysistrata are Demeter and her daughter Kore (a.k.a Persephone. ) These fertility goddesses were commonly worshipped in Athens.

Aphrodite is the Goddess of Love and is also referred to as Kypris.

Dionysus is referred to in Lysistrata as Nysian.

A woman attempted to escape from the Acropolis and return to her husband by saying that she was pregnant. This is because childbirth and death were believed to pollute this sacred ground.

Konisalos is spirit who is endowed with an erect phallus, as well as being associated with Spartan dance.