i'm rereading aeschylus' seven against thebes (Actually Aware of Who The Characters Are edition). i mostly remember i really enjoyed the shield descriptions for the seven, and yeah they still rock.
list for my own future reference:
tydeus' shield: a night sky with stars, and the full moon at the center. also the shield has bells hanging from it to "make a fearsome sound". exploring new avenues of fear tactics, i like it
capaneus' shield: a naked man carrying a flaming torch in each hand, and the text ‘I will burn down the city’. ZERO subtlety. capaneus oh my god
eteoclus' shield: an armored man scaling an enemy wall, and the text, 'Not even the war god Ares can dislodge me and hurl me from the wall'. B-. too much of a mouthful. come back when you've found a more succinct way to disrespect the gods and tempt fate.
hippomedon's shield: fire-breathing typhon encircled by twining serpents. sounds like an instant classic. good. (also OF COURSE his opponent's shield depicts zeus with a lightning bolt so. you know how this will play out)
parthenopaeus' shield: the sphinx eating a theban man. now THAT'S going above and beyond, that's reading up on your enemy team before the match. chef's kiss.
amphiaraus' shield: isn't decorated in any way because he isn't boastful and wants to let his actions speak for themselves 🥺 amphiarauuuus man you're like. the coolest guy here
polynices' shield: a man in golden armor led by justice personified, with the text ‘This man I will lead back, and he will have his land and will roam free in his ancestral home.’ noooo you could have had something DEVASTATING and you went with like. a political newspaper cartoon. and too many words again. polynices i NEED you to get your head in the game here
