The Persae of Aeschylus

Dr Broadhead assesses the Persae as a work of dramatic art.

Aeschylus (Author), H. D. Broadhead (Edited by)

9780521118095, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 6 August 2009

428 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2.4 cm, 0.54 kg

The Persae is the oldest of surviving plays and its subject matter is unique in ancient drama, since it is concerned with a recent historical event, the defeat of the Persians at Salamis; yet before the publication of this work in 1960, there had been no edition suitable for university students and scholars. This major edition - the first to be attempted on such a scale - incorporated much material that former editions had neglected, including a number of textual suggestions and elucidations. In his introduction, Dr Broadhead assesses the Persae as a work of dramatic art, considers how far Aeschylus' patriotism has coloured his presentation of the tragedy, discusses the possibility that the play is part of a tetralogy, and reviews the evidence for a Sicilian text. He also explains the principles followed in establishing the text, which is accompanied by select critical notes. There is a full-scale commentary, which takes account of the scholarship that was current when this volume was first published. The appendices form an important supplement, and include a conspectus of metres; notes on spirit raising, the tragic kommos, and Persian names; and an account of the battle of Salamis.

Preface
Select list of books and articles
Introduction
1. Tragedy and patriotic celebration
2. Dramatic technique
3. Sicilian text: possible interpretation: tetralogy
4. Textual criticism
Text
Commentary
Appendices 1–6
Indexes.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB]