The Birds is an ancient Greek comedy by Aristophanes. Two Athenians persuade the birds to found a city in the clouds, leading to fantastical and satirical encounters. It is worth listening for its witty dialogue, lyrical choruses, and imaginative fantasy.
For teachers and schools: paste the code into your site or blog.
Cover illustration generated by AI.
Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
THE BIRDS By Aristophanes (Translator uncredited. Footnotes have been retained because they provide the meanings of Greek names, terms and ceremonies and explain puns and references otherwise lost in translation. Occasional Greek words in the footnotes have not been included. Footnote numbers, in brackets, start anew at (1) for each piece of dialogue, and each footnote follows immediately the dialogue to which it refers, labeled thus: f(1). THE BIRDS INTRODUCTION 'The Birds' differs markedly from all the other Comedies of Aristophanes which have come down to us in subject and general conception. It is just an extravaganza pure and simple—a graceful, whimsical theme chosen expressly for
Readnara
