The Trial of Lucullus
Encyclopedia
The Trial of Lucullus is a short didactic radio play by the German dramatist Bertolt Brecht
written in verse. In it, the great Roman general Lucullus
appears after death before a judge and jury of the underworld, who are to decide whether he should be condemned to Hades
or admitted to the Elysian fields
. The jury, representing the lower classes, allows Lucullus to call as witnesses portrayed on a triumphal frieze
. All the evidence is against Lucullus, except for the fact that he introduced the cherry tree to Europe
, grieved over the destruction of books, and was possessed of a fine culinary experience.
Though first conceived as an opera, the text was set to music by Paul Dessau
. Communist authorities banned it, causing Brecht to revise scenes and changing the title to The Condemnation of Lucullus.
Bertolt Brecht
Bertolt Brecht was a German poet, playwright, and theatre director.An influential theatre practitioner of the 20th century, Brecht made equally significant contributions to dramaturgy and theatrical production, the latter particularly through the seismic impact of the tours undertaken by the...
written in verse. In it, the great Roman general Lucullus
Lucullus
Lucius Licinius Lucullus , was an optimate politician of the late Roman Republic, closely connected with Sulla Felix...
appears after death before a judge and jury of the underworld, who are to decide whether he should be condemned to Hades
Hades
Hades , Hadēs, originally , Haidēs or , Aidēs , meaning "the unseen") was the ancient Greek god of the underworld. The genitive , Haidou, was an elision to denote locality: "[the house/dominion] of Hades". Eventually, the nominative came to designate the abode of the dead.In Greek mythology, Hades...
or admitted to the Elysian fields
Elysian Fields
-General use:* Elysium, in Greek mythology, the final resting places of the souls of the heroic and the virtuous- Places :* Elysian Fields, Hoboken, New Jersey, site of the first organized baseball game* Elysian Fields Avenue, New Orleans* Elysian Fields, Texas...
. The jury, representing the lower classes, allows Lucullus to call as witnesses portrayed on a triumphal frieze
Frieze
thumb|267px|Frieze of the [[Tower of the Winds]], AthensIn architecture the frieze is the wide central section part of an entablature and may be plain in the Ionic or Doric order, or decorated with bas-reliefs. Even when neither columns nor pilasters are expressed, on an astylar wall it lies upon...
. All the evidence is against Lucullus, except for the fact that he introduced the cherry tree to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, grieved over the destruction of books, and was possessed of a fine culinary experience.
Though first conceived as an opera, the text was set to music by Paul Dessau
Paul Dessau
Paul Dessau was a German composer and conductor.- Biography :Dessau was born in Hamburg into a musical family...
. Communist authorities banned it, causing Brecht to revise scenes and changing the title to The Condemnation of Lucullus.