If one would examine past historical events, one could argue that people would rather be wrong than be different. This portrayal of human nature is evidenced in Aristophanes" play, The Archanians. In this Greek drama,Aristophanes depicts his view of human nature: that humans are naturally bad. This characteristic of human nature can be considered as one of the probable causes of the Peloponnesian War. However, aside to it being a probable cause of such a devastating war, it also allows the reader to sense the relationship of humans to the gods, as well as the responsibilities of humans to each other. In truth, Aristophanes" The Archanians is a Greek drama that gives insight into the highly controversial topic of human nature according to Aristophanes, as well as a look into ancient Greek society.
The play opens at the Pnyx - the location where the Assembly would meet to discuss political matters. Dikaiopolis, the main character, notices that, as usual, there was "not a soul" to be found in the Pnyx (Aristophanes 14). .
"Regular meeting of the Assembly, due to start at sunrise, and not a soul here on the Pnyx!. Even the Executive aren't here. They"ll come in the end - hours late- all streaming in together, and push and shove and heaven knows what to get the front seats. That's all they car about. How to get peace - they don't give a damn about that" (14). .
Immediately, the reader senses some vexation coming from Dikaiopolis towards the Assembly. He is obviously not happy about the way people were treating their right to a voice in matters concerning the state. Finally, at midday the Athenians begin pouring into the Pnyx. The first to speak is Ampitheus. However, he is immediately seized by the guards because he claimed that "the gods have commissioned [him] to make peace with the Spartans" (15). Surprisingly, Ampitheus is "Doubly Divine" - meaning he is immortal (14). Immediately the reader's attention is brought upon the treatment of gods by the humans.