Hippolytus

Euripides (c.480–c.406 BC), translated by Theodoridis, G., (contributor-contact-email)

Euripides’ Hippolytus, an Ancient Greek tragedy, reinterprets the myth of Hippolytus, son of Theseus. Premiering in 428 BC at the City Dionysia of Athens as part of a trilogy, it won first prize and remains extant today. This play was Euripides’ second attempt at the myth, following his earlier work, Hippolytus Veiled (Hippolytos Kalyptomenos), now lost except for fragments known from other ancient texts. The two plays bear the same name but are distinguished as Hippolytus Veiled and Hippolytus Stephanophoros (Hippolytus the Wreath Bearer) for clarity.

In the lost play, it is believed that Phaedra was described as unable to resist Aphrodite’s spell, a portrayal that diverged from traditional representations of feminine modesty, with Phaedra overtly expressing her desire for Hippolytus. The surviving Hippolytus Stephanophoros offers a revised narrative where Phaedra strives to resist her desires, inflamed by Aphrodite. This version, which highlights Phaedra’s struggle against her passions and Hippolytus’ dedication to Artemis, symbolised by the wreaths he wears, is the one that endures.

Author Details

Euripides, a preeminent Greek tragedian born around 480 BC on the island of Salamis, was a transformative figure in the evolution of ancient Greek drama. He was the son of Mnesarchus, a merchant, and Cleito. Initially destined to be an athlete, as per an oracle’s prophecy, Euripides’ career was redirected towards the arts, encompassing studies in philosophy under Anaxagoras and Prodicus, and painting.

Among the trio of great tragedians, including also Aeschylus and Sophocles, Euripides is noted for his innovative approach to drama. He is credited with infusing classical Greek theatre with a modern sensibility, portraying mythical heroes as ordinary individuals in extraordinary situations. This novel perspective heralded significant developments in drama, influencing later forms including comedy and romance.

Ancient sources attribute as many as 92 plays to him, but only around 18 or 19 have survived in a complete form, with the authorship of “Rhesus” being subject to debate. His works are distinguished by their deep exploration of characters’ inner lives - in stark contrast to the style of his contemporaries.

Euripides’ own life intersected significantly with contemporary intellectual movements, granting Socrates’ and himself prominent positions in Athenian culture - which led to both being criticized by comic poets including Aristophanes.

In his later years, there are conflicting accounts about his voluntary exile and death in Macedonia around 406 BC, with both the assumption his death there, and the nature of his relationship with King Archelaus, being questioned by modern scholars.

His dramatic contributions are multifaceted, marked by a shift from traditional heroic narratives to more nuanced, often controversial, explorations of societal issues and human psychology, in plays characterized by their rhetorical prowess and innovative use of language, reflecting contemporary Athenian society and its complexities.

Despite winning only a few dramatic competitions in his lifetime, Euripides’ impact on the genre of tragedy, and his influence on subsequent generations of playwrights and dramatists, is undeniable. He remains a pivotal figure in the evolution of Western drama.

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Theodoridis, G.,

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