Iphigeneia at Aulis

Euripides (c.480–c.406 BC), translated by Theodoridis, G., (contributor-contact-email)

Euripides’s tragedy Iphigenia at Aulis, written between 408 and 406 BC and performed posthumously in 405 BC, is set before the Trojan War. It focuses on the dilemma faced by Agamemnon, the Greek commander, who must sacrifice his daughter, Iphigenia, to appease Artemis and allow his fleet to sail to Troy. This act, pivotal to the war’s commencement, triggers significant resistance from Clytemnestra, Iphigenia’s mother.

The play portrays Iphigenia’s initial reluctance to die, her complex relationship with Agamemnon, and the involvement of Achilles, drawn into the situation by Agamemnon. The audience, familiar with Greek mythology, would have been aware of the future consequences of Agamemnon’s decision: his eventual murder by Clytemnestra upon his return from Troy, and her subsequent assassination by their son, Orestes. These events are foreshadowed in Iphigenia at Aulis, linking it to other Greek tragedies that explore the aftermath of the Trojan War.

Author Details

Euripides, a preeminent Greek tragedian born around 480 BC on the island of Salamis, was a transformative figure in the evolution of ancient Greek drama. He was the son of Mnesarchus, a merchant, and Cleito. Initially destined to be an athlete, as per an oracle’s prophecy, Euripides’ career was redirected towards the arts, encompassing studies in philosophy under Anaxagoras and Prodicus, and painting.

Among the trio of great tragedians, including also Aeschylus and Sophocles, Euripides is noted for his innovative approach to drama. He is credited with infusing classical Greek theatre with a modern sensibility, portraying mythical heroes as ordinary individuals in extraordinary situations. This novel perspective heralded significant developments in drama, influencing later forms including comedy and romance.

Ancient sources attribute as many as 92 plays to him, but only around 18 or 19 have survived in a complete form, with the authorship of “Rhesus” being subject to debate. His works are distinguished by their deep exploration of characters’ inner lives - in stark contrast to the style of his contemporaries.

Euripides’ own life intersected significantly with contemporary intellectual movements, granting Socrates’ and himself prominent positions in Athenian culture - which led to both being criticized by comic poets including Aristophanes.

In his later years, there are conflicting accounts about his voluntary exile and death in Macedonia around 406 BC, with both the assumption his death there, and the nature of his relationship with King Archelaus, being questioned by modern scholars.

His dramatic contributions are multifaceted, marked by a shift from traditional heroic narratives to more nuanced, often controversial, explorations of societal issues and human psychology, in plays characterized by their rhetorical prowess and innovative use of language, reflecting contemporary Athenian society and its complexities.

Despite winning only a few dramatic competitions in his lifetime, Euripides’ impact on the genre of tragedy, and his influence on subsequent generations of playwrights and dramatists, is undeniable. He remains a pivotal figure in the evolution of Western drama.

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Theodoridis, G.,

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