Description
Book SynopsisThis study examines how one of the most popular and glamorous figures of Greek mythology, and a key character in the Homeric epics, was imagined on the tragic stage of fifth-century Athens. Dr Michelakis argues that dramatists persistently appropriated Achilles to address concerns of their time.
Trade Review'Achilles in Greek Tragedy is an excellent book which provides a very systematic, sensitive and intelligent study of its subject.' David Fitzpatrick, The Open University
'… this book offers several stimulating and thought-provoking … observations about some very interesting Greek plays. It will certainly be useful to any student of attic tragedy.' Journal of Hellenic Studies
'All in all, a well-written and carefully edited book. In my view, its main strength is the combination of an attentive reading of the plays with an analysis of the position Achilles occupies in the mythological tradition, artistic representations, the social and cultural context of classical Athens and contemporary literary and philosophical sources.' L'Antiquité Classique
Table of ContentsList of illustrations; Preface; Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; 1. Introduction: Achilles in the fifth century; 2. The problematic hero: Aeschylus' Myrmidons; 3. The dead hero: Euripides' Hecuba; 4. The hero to be: Euripides' Iphigenia at Aulis; 5. Mapping the heroic absence: Achilles in other plays; 6. Afterword; Bibliography; General index; Index of passages.
