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Oresteia

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Oresteia by Aeschylus is the sole surviving trilogy of Greek tragedy, exploring the inescapable cycle of crime and suffering across generations within a royal family. After Agamemnon is murdered by his wife Clytemnestra, their son Orestes faces the grim duty of avenging his father. His plea to the goddess Athena ends the cycle of vengeance and introduces justice that ensures societal stability and peace. The trilogy’s themes of fate, divine intervention, and morality remain powerful and relevant.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3900

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This work suits readers interested in classical literature, ancient Greek culture, dramatic theatre, and those keen to understand foundational ideas influencing Western moral and religious thought.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Agamemnon Libation Bearers Eumenides

Aeschylus' Oresteia is the only trilogy to survive from Greek tragedy, and the religious and moral ideas it enacts afterwards influenced a great dramatic genre, as well as giving its three plays their lasting significance. In this family history, Fate and the gods decree that each generation will repeat the crimes and endure the suffering of their forebears. When Agamemnon is murdered by his wife, Clytemnestra, their son Orestes must avenge his father's death. Only Orestes' appeal to the goddess Athena saves him from his mother's Furies, breaking the bloody chain; together gods and humans inaugurate a way of just conduct that will ensure stable families and a strong community.

The Oresteia is majestic as theatre and as literature, and this new translation seeks to preserve both these qualities. The introduction and notes emphasize the interconnection of scenes, ideas, and language that distinguishes this unique work.

ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780199537815

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 13 November 2008

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Oxford University Press

Illustration: 1 map

Contributors:

  • Translated by Christopher Collard

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 19.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 235g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Christopher Collard was Professor of Classics at the University of Wales, Swansea from 1975 until his retirement in 1996. He has published annotated editions of Euripides' Suppliant Women, Hecuba, and Select Fragmentary Plays

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