Aristophanes - Peace: "As I told you, this is his form of madness"

Aristophanes, often hailed as the Father of Comedy, crafted eleven enduring plays that vividly depict ancient Athenian life. Born between 456 BC and 446 BC, possibly as an adopted citizen of Athens, he wielded sharp satire that unsettled powerful figures, including Plato, who criticized his portrayal of Socrates in The Clouds. His work faced backlash, notably from the demagogue Cleon, whom he mocked in plays like The Knights. Despite uncertainties about his life and death, Aristophanes' surviving texts remain invaluable to the study of Ancient Greek comedy.