What does the fate of Medea and of those who mistreat and oppress her say to its own time?
Medea is an ancient Greek play written by the playwright Euripides and was first performed in 431 BC. The play premiered during a pivotal moment in Greek history: the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War, a conflict between Athens—then at the height of its imperial power—and Sparta and its allies. Because of this timing, historians often interpret Medea as reflecting anxieties about imperialism, justice, and the treatment of foreigners within the Athenian empire.
In 431 BC, Athens controlled a wide-ranging maritime empire and dominated numerous allied states through military force. While Athenians celebrated democracy at home, many subject states viewed Athens as authoritarian.
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