What was the political situation in 405 BC in ancient Greece when Aristophanes wrote The Frogs and what date was Frogs written?

Answer 1

The Frogs by Aristophanes was written and performed at the Lenea in 405 BC. The political situation in Athens at the time was fraught with danger and uncertainty. This was mostly due to their long battle with Sparta and her allied forces known as the Peloponnesian war. The Athenians were confined to their city as Spartan forces has permanently encamped at Decelia in the Attica(the area surrounding Athens). Their only hope at the time was to look up to the government for support and guidance. In the Parabasis of the Frogs, Aristophanes voices his personal concerns regarding the Athenian political system. As at the time it was run by Alcibiades, the nephew of Pericles, Aristophanes would have hoped the blood line of good political ethics would run through Alcibiades, and he would choose for Athens to fight to the bitter end. In saying this it also reflects his desire for the days when the Marathon men would return and run Athens and bring peace, rather than politicers like Cleon who encouraged war.