From the Notebook of Aeschylus

From all available historical data that I could gather, it seemed that no tragedy ever plagued Orestes and Pylades after their return to Greece.

Pylades married Electra, the sister of Orestes, and later ascended his father’s throne. Orestes, in turn, married Hermione, the only child of King Menelaus of Sparta. He also became king of Argos, ruling with his sister at the side. Some criticized him for being influenced by a woman, but most loved him as a king since he brought peace and prosperity.

Orestes and Pylades continued to share the strongest of friendships, and the resulting power dynamics ensure stability on the Greek peninsula during their lifetime, and for decades after.

Orestes later died of a snakebite in Arcadia. By that point, both friends were old, and Pylades followed soon after in sickness.

It seems that the story of Orestes and Pylades is exactly what Athens needs right now to lift up the hopes of our people in our war with Sparta. It is a story of great challenges, but also one of redemption and contains the happy ending that is so rare in the oral traditions of our nations.

This play shall be named the Oresteia, and I have full confidence that it will win the first prize at the Dionysia festival this year. May their story bring joy and hope to our people in our difficult present, and perhaps also the same to those in the ages yet to come.