Eurípides

Birth: 480ac , Atenas

Death: 406ac , Macedónia Antiga

Euripides (c. 480 – 406 BCE) was one of the three great tragedians of Ancient Greece, along with Aeschylus and Sophocles. He wrote around 92 plays, of which only 18 have survived in their entirety. His tragedies are known for their psychological realism, the introduction of more complex characters, and the exploration of social and philosophical themes, often questioning the conventions and morality of his time. Euripides is frequently praised for his theatrical innovation, for the introduction of explanatory prologues, and for the use of the chorus in more varied ways. His works continue to be studied and performed to this day, influencing Western theater.

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Poems List

You were a stranger to sorrow: therefore Fate has cursed you.

O mortal man, think mortal thoughts!

My mother was accursed the night she bore me, and I am faint with envy of all the dead.

Dishonor will not trouble me, once I am dead.

Today’s today. Tomorrow, we may be ourselves gone down the drain of Eternity.

You love the daylight: do you think your father does not?

God, these old men! How they pray for death! How heavy they find this life in the slow drag of days! And yet, when Death comes near them, You will not find one who will rise and walk with him, not one whose years are still a burden to him.

Oh, if I had Orpheus’ voice and poetry with which to move the Dark Maid and her Lord, I’d call you back, dear love, from the world below. I’d go down there for you. Charon or the grim King’s dog could not prevent me then from carrying you up into the fields of light.

Light be the earth upon you, lightly rest.

A second wife is hateful to the children of the first; a viper is not more hateful.

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Euripides was born on the island of Salamis in Ancient Greece. His life coincided with a period of great cultural and political effervescence in Classical Athens, although he himself was not Athenian by birth. He dedicated himself to writing tragedies, distinguishing himself from his predecessors by his more skeptical and humanist approach to myths. His characters are often portrayed with psychological depth, questioning the gods, justice, and human nature. Plays such as "Medea", "The Bacchae", "The Trojan Women", and "The Cyclops" (the only complete satyr play to have survived from Ancient Greece) exemplify his style and concerns. "Medea", in particular, is famous for its raw depiction of revenge and passion. Euripides is considered a precursor to modern drama for his psychological analysis and his critical approach to traditional narratives. He died in Pella, Macedonia.