Ly·sis·trat·a /laɪˈsɪstrətə $ ˌlɪsəˈstrɑːtə/ the main character in the humorous ancient Greek play Lysistrata by Aristophanes. Lysistrata and the other women in Athens are angry because their husbands are fighting in a long war. Lysistrata organizes a protest, and the women refuse to have sex with their husbands until there is peace.