Iphigeneia at Tauris

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

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Euripides’ Iphigenia in Tauris, written around 414-412 BC, is a drama set in what is now modern Crimea. The play centres on Iphigenia, previously thought to have been sacrificed by her father Agamemnon, but who was actually saved by Artemis and made a priestess in her temple. The story begins with Iphigenia reflecting on a dream she believes signifies her brother Orestes’ death.

Orestes, alongside his friend Pylades, arrives in Tauris on a mission from Apollo to retrieve a sacred statue of Artemis. Unknown to them, they are in the same land as Iphigenia. Captured and brought to the temple for sacrifice, a series of revelations follow. Iphigenia discovers Orestes’ identity after a conversation about their shared homeland and family history. Realising that they are siblings; they devise a plan of escape. The play concludes with their success, aided by Iphigenia’s deception of Thoas, the Taurian king. The goddess Athena intervenes to calm Thoas and directs Iphigenia to serve as a priestess in Brauron, while reaffirming Orestes’ salvation. This drama combines elements of tragedy with a reunion and escape, culminating in divine resolution.

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Theodoridis, G.,

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