Abstract

The new values of democracy in the Athens of the fifth century find in Greek tragedy a particularly apt way of expression. On this basis, by way of a close reading of both works called Suppliants, one by Aeschylus, the other by Euripides, it is intended to show in what sense can be said that tragedy is a test or proof for democracy. This test or proof occurs when fundamental human values are at stake by the social marginalization of groups of people particularly vulnerable.