The Eumenides Oresteia
the final play of oresteia, called eumenides (Εὐμενίδες, eumenídes), illustrates how sequence of events in trilogy end in development of social order or proper judicial system in athenian society. in play, orestes hunted down , tormented furies, trio of goddesses known instruments of justice, euphemistically referred gracious ones (eumenides). relentlessly pursue orestes killing of mother. however, through intervention of apollo, orestes able escape them brief moment while asleep , head athens under protection of hermes. seeing furies asleep, clytaemnestra s ghost comes wake them obtain justice on son orestes killing her.
after waking up, furies hunt down orestes again , when find him, orestes pleads goddess athena , responds setting trial him in athens on areopagus. trial made of group of twelve athenian citizens , supervised none other athena herself. here orestes used trial dummy athena set-up first courtroom trial. object of central focus between furies, apollo, , athena. after trial comes end, votes tied. athena casts deciding vote , determines orestes not killed. not sit furies, athena persuades them accept decision and, instead of violently retaliating against wrongdoers, become constructive force of vigilance in athens. changes names furies eumenides means kindly ones . athena rules trials must henceforth settled in court rather being carried out personally.
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