Aeschylus: The Oresteia - Softcover

Aeschylus

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0715616838 ISBN 13: 9780715616833

Publisher: Bristol Classical Press, 1997

Synopsis

The most famous series of ancient Greek plays, and the only surviving trilogy, is the ""Oresteia of Aeschylus"", consisting of the ""Agamemnon"", ""Choephoroe"" ('Libation Bearers') and ""Eumenides"" ('Kindly Ones'). These three plays recount the murder of Agamemnon by his queen Clytemnestra on his return from Troy with the captive Trojan princess Cassandra; the murder in turn of Clytemnestra by their son Orestes; and Orestes' subsequent pursuit by the Avenging Furies (Eumenides) and eventual absolution.There has been no shortage of translations and adaptations of the ""Oresteia"", but such are the poetic complexities of Aeschylus' language and the remoteness of the world he depicts that they mostly fall far short of either the literal meaning or the spirit of the original. This translation by an eminent scholar stays as close to the text as English idiom will allow and is perfectly adapted to the student's needs. Notes elucidate the difficulties, and introductions to each play set the trilogy against the background of Greek religion as a whole and Greek tragedy in particular, presenting a true assessment of Aeschylus' dramatic art.

About this title

Review:

'By far the best translation. Faithful to the original Greek text and eminently readable. The notes constitute a commentary in their own right' Albert Henrichs, Harvard University. 'Hugh Lloyd-Jones's translation stands out very much from any other. The notes are first class and scholarly' Jeffrey Rusten, Cornell University

About the Author:

Aeschylus was writing at a time when the earliest traditions of Greek tragedy were being established. The few plays of his which survive are marked by great theatrical energy and a clear didactic voice which speaks across the centuries to modern audiences and readers alike. Aeschylus is often described as the father of tragedy. Only seven of his estimated seventy-ninety plays have survived, including the Oresteia trilogy, and Prometheus Bound.,Aeschylus (525-456 BC) The father of Greek tragic drama, usually considered the first great writer in the Western theatrical tradition. Only seven plays, of over 70 known titles, are extant. These are The Persians (472 BC), Seven Against Thebes (469 BC), Prometheus Bound (c. 460 BC), The Suppliant Women (c. 460 BC), and the Oresteia trilogy (458 BC), comprising Agamemnon, Choephoroi, and Eumenides. He also wrote numerous satyr plays, which have only survived in fragmentary form. Aeschylus's work is powerful and operatic, using majestic but often innovative language. His attitude to Greek society and religion was generally conservative, although he boldly depicted the sufferings of men and woman when moral systems, and the gods themselves, are in conflict. Legend says he was killed by a tortoise dropped by an eagle (to break the shell) on his bald head (mistaken for a stone). His tombstone makes no mention of his literary works, referring only to his service at the Battle of Marathon (490 BC).

About this edition

• Publisher: Bristol Classical Press
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0715616838
• ISBN 13: 9780715616833
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 257