Ares and the Danaids in Aeschylus’ Suppliants

This article examines references to Ares in Aeschylus’ Suppliants. It argues that these references contribute to the characterization of the Danaids, complicating their portrayal of themselves as victims. They also foreshadow the Danaids’ murder of their husbands. The second part of the article raises the possibility that references to Ares might have figured later on in the trilogy; perhaps the god of war even appeared on stage.