The ancient Greek Aeschylus is often called the father of tragedy.  He is also credited by, among others, Aristotle with bringing more characters into theater to allow for the conflicts that lead to character development.

Among the most famous poems that Aeschylus wrote is that trilogy of Greek tragedies called the Oresteia.  This tale concerns the murder of Agamemnon by Clytaemnestra, the murder of Clyaemnestra by Orestes, the trial of Orestes and the end of the curse on the House of Atreus.  The trilogy consists of Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers and  The Eumenides.  The principal themes within these is the contrast between revenge and justice and the transition between vendetta to organized litigation.

The first of the three plays is Agamemnon.  In this, the Mycenaen king, Agamemnon, returns after 10 years from the Trojan War.   His queen, Clyemnestra, has been waiting to kill him to avenge her daughter, Iphigenia, and to commandeer the crown and publicly proclaim her lover, Aegisthus.

The play opens with a faithful watch man looking down across the sea for any sign of victory over Troy.  When at last a bonfire signals Troy’s fall, the watchman is overjoyed and Clytaemnestra declares there will be celebrations and sacrifices throughout the city.

Upon his return, the queen pleas in a soliloquy for him to walk on the robes laid out for him.   This brings rise to questions regarding loyalties and motives.  The king’s concubine, Cassandra, is introduced along with her hateful rivalry with the queen.  Cassandra is forced out of her chariot and to the altar where she prophecies about the pending shared death of Agamemnon and her own.

Agamemnon by Aeschylus may be read in its entirety here:

http://www.bartleby.com/8/1/3.html#1340

Alternatively, it may be listened to in an audiobook format here: