Aeschylus was an ancient Greek playwright, often referred to as the "Father of Tragedy." He lived from around 525 to 456 BCE and is best known for introducing the second actor in plays, which allowed for more complex storytelling and dialogue. His works often explored themes of justice, fate, and the relationship between humans and the gods, making them deeply philosophical and impactful. One of his most famous plays is the Oresteia, a trilogy that tells the story of the curse on the House of Atreus. Aeschylus's contributions to theater laid the groundwork for later playwrights like Sophocles and Euripides, shaping the future of drama in Western literature.