Women of Trachis

Sophocles (c.496–c.406 BC), translated by Theodoridis, G., (contributor-contact-email)

Sophocles’ Women of Trachis, composed around 450-425 BC, is a tragic narrative focused on Deianeira, the wife of the Greek hero Heracles. Distressed by Heracles’ prolonged absence and fearing for his fate due to ominous prophecies, she sends their son Hyllus to find him. After Hyllus sets off, however, news arrives of Heracles’ return. Deianeira subsequently learns of her husband’s infatuation with Iole, a captive from his conquest of Oechalia. Distraught, Deianeira employs a supposed love potion, given by the centaur Nessus, on a robe for Heracles. This potion, tainted with Nessus’ blood and the Hydra’s poison, turns out to be lethal. Realising her grave mistake, Deianeira in turn commits suicide. Hyllus discovers the truth behind her actions and informs Heracles, who then understands that his end, as prophesied, is at hand. In agony, Heracles instructs Hyllus to marry Iole and to perform a mercy killing by cremating him atop Mount Oeta. The play concludes with Heracles’ poignant acceptance of his fate.

Author Details

Sophocles, born around 497/496 BC in the deme of Hippeios Colonus in Attica, was a pivotal figure in ancient Greek tragedy. Born into a wealthy family, he received a broad education and achieved early artistic success, his work notably outperforming that of the distinguished Aeschylus at the Dionysia in 468 BC. His career spanned more than six decades, during which he wrote over 120 plays, though only seven complete works survive today, namely, “Ajax,” “Antigone,” “Women of Trachis,” “Oedipus Rex,” “Electra,” “Philoctetes,” and “Oedipus at Colonus.”

Sophocles’ theatrical innovations were significant. He introduced a third actor to the stage, a move that diminished the role of the chorus and enhanced character development. As a result, his characters displayed previously uncharted depths and complexity.

His civic roles in Athens were diverse, ranging from leading the paean after the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC to serving under Pericles’ political leadership as one of the Hellenotamiai, the treasurers of Athena. He also served as a general during the Samian War and participated in the introduction of the Asclepius cult to Athens.

He died in the winter of 406/405 BC, having witnessed the heights of Athenian power during the Persian Wars and its decline in the Peloponnesian War. His legacy includes both his literary excellence and the influence he had on the development of drama.

More by this author

Read Now Download

Theodoridis, G.,

Support Open-Access:

Your contribution keeps our classical translations available to all. Every dollar helps support classics education and funds the expansion of our catalogue. Value what we do? Donate now.

File Downloads:

PDF

Mobi

Epub

MS Word

Html