The title player of Aristophanes' Greek comedy, Lysistrata organizes the women of Sparta and Athens into a most unusual war protest. The women lament the absence of their husbands and lovers, who return from war only for brief conjugal visits. Under Lysistrata's direction, they pledge abstinence until the men agree on a peace treaty. Fighting comes to a speedy end and the men return to the now open arms of their wives and honeybunnies. (Thanks to Kristen Allen for the story of Lysistrata.) |