Synopses & Reviews
One of Athens' greatest poets, Euripides has been prized in every age for the pathos, terror, surprising plot twists, and intellectual probing of his dramatic creations. Here are four of his plays in a new Loeb Classical Library edition.
Hippolytus triumphed in the Athenian dramatic competition of 428 BCE; in modern times it has been judged to be one of Euripides' masterpieces. It tells of the punishment that the goddess Aphrodite inflicts on a young man who refuses to worship her. Hecuba and Andromache recreate the tragic stories of two noble Trojan women after their city's fall. Children of Heracles, probably first produced in 430, soon after the Spartan invasion of Attica, celebrates an incident long a source of Athenian pride: the city's protection of the sons and daughters of the dead Heracles.
In this second volume of the new Loeb Euripides David Kovacs gives us a freshly edited Greek text facing an accurate and graceful prose translation. Explanatory notes clarify allusions and nuances, and a brief introduction to each play is provided.
Review
The New Generation Loeb Euripides is an improvement in every way on its predecessor, yet it maintains the traditional spirit and format. What we expect from a Loeb is a well edited text with a facing translation that allows us to read any classical literature confidently and quickly without recourse to a dictionary. The translations we expect to be accurate and clear, giving those without Greek or Latin the easiest approach to the ipsissima verba of each author...Kovacs provides an excellent brief introduction to each play where the focus of attention is held sharply on the key issues of critical interest. The Classical Review
Review
It is good to see the second volume of David Kovacs's new Loeb of Euripides, which contains Children of Heracles, Hippolytus, Andromache, and Hecuba, following so soon on the first...The text has been thoughtfully edited...the translation is concise and accurate; the short play-introductions supplement plot summaries with a few interpretive hints. Greece and Rome
Review
There has just appeared the two-volume replacement Sophocles edited and translated by Sir Lloyd-Jones (it is good to learn that a volume containing the fragments is to follow) and now we have the first volume of a projected replacement for the old and even more egregious Euripides...The translation is clear, fluent and only rarely inaccurate...All in all, this is a highly competent production which is at the same time stimulating and 'user-friendly'. The completion of this enterprise will be eagerly awaited. David Bain
Review
Kovacs...continues to meet the high standards he attained in volume I...While [the translation] earns high marks for accuracy, it is also pleasant and readable. Alan Beale - JACT Review
Synopsis
Four plays by ancient Greece's third great tragedian.
One of antiquity's greatest poets, Euripides has been prized in every age for the pathos, terror, and intellectual probing of his dramatic creations. The new Loeb Classical Library edition of his plays is in six volumes.
Volume II contains Children of Heracles, about Athens' protection of the dead hero's children; Hippolytus, which tells of the punishment Aphrodite inflicts on a man who refuses to worship her; Andromache and Hecuba, the tragic stories of two noble Trojan women after their city's fall.
Synopsis
Euripides (c. 485-406 BCE) has been prized in every age for his emotional and intellectual drama. Eighteen of his ninety or so plays survive complete, including Medea, Hippolytus, and Bacchae, one of the great masterpieces of the tragic genre. Fragments of his lost plays also survive.
About the Author
David Kovacs is Professor of Classics at the University of Virginia.
Table of Contents
Children Of Heracles Introduction
Text and Translation
Hippolytus Introduction
Text and Translation
Andromache Introduction
Text and Translation
Hecuba Introduction
Text and Translation