The Oresteia of Aeschylus (3 volumes)

Description

The sole extant ancient tragic trilogy, now available in a comprehensive edition.

Aeschylus’ Oresteia remains the sole extant example of an ancient Greek tragic trilogy and a crowning achievement of world theater. Across its three plays — Agamemnon, Choephori, and Eumenides — a cycle of bloodshed, revenge, and eventual catharsis is revealed, reflecting the passage from personal retribution to codified justice.

The set includes 3 volumes:

Agamemnon: The king’s return from the Trojan War sets the stage for a gripping drama. Tragic yet determined, Clytemnestra enacts a striking vengeance, unleashing a fresh cycle of violence.

The Choephori: Orestes comes back to avenge his father Agamemnon’s murder, honoring his divine obligation. But the cost of his action is great, as the Furies pursue him and his soul suffers under the weight of guilt and ethical conflict.

The Eumenides: The ultimate clash between ancient law and emerging civilization. Orestes is brought to Athens, where his trial before Athena and the Areopagites culminates in a remarkable triumph of reason and communal harmony, establishing the foundations of a new justice system.

The Oresteia is more than a literary masterpiece; it reflects the transition from violence to institutional justice, from vengeance to law, and from chaos to civilization.

Each volume presents the original Ancient Greek text on the left-hand pages, the Modern Greek translation on the right, and includes an introduction and commentary.