<DIV><p>These three comedies provoke searching reflections on the religious nature of humanity: What are the psychological sources of piety? What is longed for in and through piety? What would a god need to be, to truly provide what our humanity seeks from divinity?</p><p>Aristophanes has been said to recreate the life of ancient Athens more convincingly than any other author.</p><p><B>Thomas Lee Pangle</B> holds the Joe R. Long Chair in Democratic Studies at the University of Texas.</p><p><B>Wayne Ambler</B> is associate professor in the Herbst Program of Humanities for Engineers at the University of Colorado.</p></DIV>