Euripides: Hecuba (Introduction, Text, and Commentary)

256 Pages·1999·8.617 MB·English

by  Justina Gregory, Euripides

EURIPIDES: HECUBA
AMERICAN PHILOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
TEXTBOOK SERIES
Ruth Scodel, Editor
NUMBER 14
EURIPIDES: HECUBA
Introduction, Text, and Commentary
Justina Gregory
EURIPIDES: HECUBA
Introduction, Text, and Commentary
Justina Gregory
- i\
n\;..~
Scholars Press
Atlanta, Georgia
EURIPIDES: HECUBA
Introduction, Text, and Commentary
Justina Gregory
Copyright © 1999 by Justina Gregory
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by means of any information storage or
retrieval system, except as may be expressly ~rmitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the
author.
Typesetting by Macy Bellino/ Spartan Edicorial
Frontispiece: Detail ofHeruba from the Polyxena sarcophagus (ea. 510-
500 s.c.E.)t excavated from the Kizoldun Tumulus, Giimii§~ay,T urkey.
Photograph by Nurten Sevin~; reprinted by kind permission of Nurten
Sevin~ and the <;anakalle Museum.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Euripides.
[Hecuba]
Euripides: Hecuba/ introduction, text, and commentary / Justina Gregory.
p. cm.- (Textbook series / American Philological Association; no. 14)
Includes bibliographical references (p.) and index.
ISBN 0-7885-0612-9 (acid-free paper}-ISBN 0-7885-0611-0 (pbk. : acid-free paper)
1. Hecuba (Legendary character}-Drama. 2. Hecuba (Legendary character) in
literature. 3. Trojan War-literature and the war. 4. Euripides. Hecuba. 5. Trojan
War-Drama. I. Gregory, Justina. II. Tide. III. Textbook series (American Philological
Association) ; no. 14.
PA3973.H3 1999
882'.0l--dc21 99-051956
08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 00 99 5 4 3 2 I
Printed in che United Scares of America
on acid-free paper
For Nora, Tohy & Lucia
pa
CONTENTS
PREFACE IX
INTRODUCTION Xl
HECUBA I
COMMENTARY 39
APPENDIX: LYRIC METERS 199
ABBREVIATIONS AND BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX 213
The oppositep age showsa detail of Hecubafr om a late archaics arcophagudse picting
the sacrificeo f Polyxena( (:anakalleM useum, Turkey).P hotographb y Nurten Sevin;.

PREFACE
Hecuhaw as extremely popular in the Byzantine period and still admired
in the Renaissance, but subsequently fell into disfavor. Although the play
has recently attracted renewed critical attention, it is seldom studied in
undergraduate Greek courses. This neglect stems in part from the fact
that there exists no modem, full-length commentary suitable for class
room use; my aim is to remedy this lack. Thus I have kept in mind the
needs of students who may have little experience in translating Greek
tragedy, but are nonetheless inquisitive about dramatic language and con
ventions and have an interest in tragedy's cultural and historical context.
I have also included material, enclosed within square brackets, that is
directed to more advanced students and to scholars.
Like all commentators I have leaned on my predecessors; Christopher
Collard's fine translation and commentary has been of particular benefit.
For generous criticism and advice in the early stages of this project I
thank William Race; for the same in the final stages I thank Philippa
Goold, Michael Lloyd, Ruth Scodel, and two anonymous referees; for
the same at every stage I thank David Kovacs. I owe a special debt to the
critical acumen and technical expertise of Mary Bellino. I am also grate
ful for help of various kinds to Victor Bers, Scott Bradbury, Lale Burk,
Marc Cogan, Paula Debnar, Patrick Gregory, Evelyn Harrison, Caro
line Houser, Rebecca Karberg, Susan Levin, Ronald Macdonald,
Christopher Marshall, Judith Mossman, Thalia Pandiri, Brian Rose,
Patricia Slatin, and Krishna Winston. Although the book has been im
proved by the kind efforts of these individuals, they are not to be held
responsible for its faults. Finally, I thank the Smith College Committee
on Faculty Compensation and Development for supporting the prepara
tion of the manuscript for publication.
Sigeum•
The Hellesponta nd the Thraci'anC hersonese