Who is the protagonist of Aeschylus's Eumenides, known for his maternal crimes?

The protagonist of Aeschylus's "Eumenides" is Orestes, who is central to the narrative surrounding themes of justice, vengeance, and familial obligations. In the play, Orestes faces the consequences of avenging his father's murder by killing his mother, Clytemnestra, in retribution for her role in Agamemnon's death. This act of matricide highlights the complex dynamics of familial loyalty and guilt, as well as the moral implications of such an extreme action.

Orestes's journey is also significant as he seeks purification from the Furies, ancient deities of vengeance, which leads to a trial that explores the transition from personal retribution to a more civilized form of justice. His character embodies the struggle between competing moral dictates, making him a deeply compelling figure in the context of this tragic narrative. This central conflict and Orestes's subsequent transformation play a crucial role in the themes that Aeschylus explores in this work.