This book deals with essential themes for a comprehensive understanding of Greek tragedy: dramaturgy, the history of the poetry genre, mythology, the political affairs of the Classic Age, and currents of political thought and culture, as seen through the filters of epic and choral lyric poetry. How did Greek tragedy come into being? Whom was it for? How were representational venues and texts organized? What roles were played by mythical and sacred themes? The author also addresses the impact of Greek tragedies on the city-state of Athens in the 5th century B.C.E., the works of the great authors (Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides), the major underlying themes (fate and death), and the heroes (Agamemnon, Oedipus, Antigone, Medea).

Andrea Rodighiero teaches Greek Language and Literature at the University of Verona.