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Euripides: Bacchae

Euripides: Bacchae

Edited by Stephen Esposito

Boston University 

1998 • 0-941051-42-0 • paper • 134 pages • 5 ½ x 8 ½ • $10.95

A wonderful new translation of this classic play, with an introduction and notes by translator Stephen Esposito. Also available: an extensive online companion to the Bacchae, with additional notes and resources. Part of the Focus Classical Library.

| About the Author | Table of Contents | Preface | Review |

 Author                                                    

Stephen Esposito is an Associate Professor at Boston University.  He serves as series editor for the Focus Classical Library, with whom he published a translation and commentary of Euripides: Four Plays: Medea, Bacchae, Heracles, Hippolytus (2002).  A translation and commentary of Sophocles Ajax is forthcoming.  He is also editing the classical essays of William Arrowsmith.

Table of Contents                                      

Preface
Introduction
The Bacchae
      The Nine Characters and the Chorus
      Setting and Stage Direction
Appendix One: The lacuna after line 1300: Agave's lament
Appendix Two: The lacuna after line 1329
Appendix Three: Genealogy Chart
Appendix Four: "The Roman Bid to Control Bacchic Worship"
    An historical essay by Valerie M. Warrior
Glossary of Important Themes and Terms
Map
Bibliography

 A Note to the Reader                             

This edition has many footnotes, appendices, and a full glossary. More than other Greek tragedies, this play requires knowledge of historical and religious material which the average ready cannot be expected to know. This said, I strongly urge the reader to read the play first, with as little reference to the footnotes as possible. After all, "the play's the thing." The notes are there for subsequent study. (The more important ones have been put in bold type.) In the notes and glossary I often quote certain scholars (Dodds, Taplin, Seaford, and Leinieks) because their observations on this complex tragedy are so illuminating but not generally accessible. For the same reason I have quoted other scholars as seemed appropriate. I regret that I have not been able to acknowledge all those whose work I have incorporated; space precluded that luxury. But anyone who works on this play realizes that he stand on the shoulders of many outstanding predecessors.

The translation has aimed at staying close to the letter of Euripides' ancient Greek text, and to the spirit as well. Translations from Greek and Latin are my own unless otherwise indicated.

 Review                                                   

Esposito's Bacchae is an excellent brief guide to the difficulties and complexities of this controversial play, and it will be welcomed by students and teachers alike… The translation itself is clear, strong and highly readable.

--Charles Segal, Harvard University