Aeschylus

Aeschylus was born in 525 BC in Eleusis, Greece, a small town just north of Athens. He worked at a vineyard until his mid-20s, when he started writing tragedies. His first theatrical performance took place when he was 26, and he won his first victory at the Dionysia festival in 484 BC. Some of his most famous plays that have survived into modern times include The Persians and Prometheus Bound. Aeschylus was also called into military service for a time and fought in the Battle of Marathon. Aeschylus died in 456 BC when visiting the city of Gela; it is written that he was killed by a tortoise that was dropped by an eagle.