Many writers have expanded on the events of Homer’s The Iliad over the years. That list includes Aeschylus, who wrote The Oresteia in 458 BC.
The Classic Book Discussion Group will read this Greek tragedy in July:
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BOOK DESCRIPTION: The Oresteia is a trilogy of Greek tragedies written by Aeschylus and dramatizes the myth of the curse on the royal house of Argos. The action begins when King Agamemnon, returning victorious from the Trojan War, is treacherously slain by his wife. It ends with the trial of their son, Orestes, who slew his mother to avenge her treachery.
The only extant example of an ancient Greek theater trilogy, the Oresteia won first prize at the Dionysia festival in 458 BC. Principal themes of the trilogy include the contrast between revenge and justice, as well as the transition from personal vendetta to organized litigation.
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Copies of The Oresteia can be picked up from the Book Discussion Shelf on our first floor, and it’s available digitally as an ebook (through Hoopla) and an audiobook (through Hoopla).
An in-person discussion of the second half of The Oresteia will be held at the library on Thursday, July 25, at 3:00 PM. No registration is required to attend.
Published on June 28, 2024.
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