Overview

The history of European drama began at the festivals of Dionysus in ancient Athens, where tragedy, satyr-drama and comedy were performed. Understanding this background is vital for students of classical, literary and theatrical subjects, and Alan H. Sommerstein's accessible study is the ideal introduction. The book begins by looking at the social and theatrical contexts and different characteristics of the three genres of ancient Greek drama. It then examines the five main dramatists whose works survive - Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes and Menander - discussing their styles, techniques and ideas, and giving short synopses of all their extant plays. Additional helpful features include succinct coverage of almost sixty other authors, a chronology of significant people and events, and an anthology of translated texts, all of which have been previously inaccessible to students. An up-to-date study bibliography of further reading concludes the volume. Clear, concise and comprehensive, and written by an acknowledged expert in the field, Greek Drama and Dramatists will be a valuable orientation text at both sixth form and undergraduate level.

Full Product Details

9780415260282

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Reviews

'A superb sourcebook for the study of the Greek Theatre and its practitioners. This is an essential ... purchase for the school library or classics resource centre.' – JACT Review

... .this book fills a significant gap, offering beginning students and other Greekless readers access to much that was previously inaccessible. It will surely find adherents among those teaching Classical drama and the history of drama.. <br>-Daniel W. Berman, Bryn Mawr Classical Review <br>... .gives a balanced introduction to the texts and their performative and civic contexts and provides much information that has otherwise bee significantly less accessible to students.. <br>-Daniel W. Berman, Bryn Mawr Classical Review <br>

Author Information

Alan H. Sommerstein

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