Character Catalog

Tragedy recounting the terrible revenge of Medea, the wife repudiated by Jason. A masterpiece of feminine psychology, this play remains one of the most performed in the world.

Tragedy exploring the destructive passion of Phaedra for her stepson Hippolytus. One of the rare plays that earned Euripides first prize at the Dionysia.

A poignant denunciation of the horrors of war through the fate of the women of Troy after the fall of the city. Considered one of the earliest pacifist works in literature.

A retelling of the Atreid myth in which Euripides humanizes his characters and questions the legitimacy of vengeance. The play contrasts with the versions by Aeschylus and Sophocles.

Euripides' last great tragedy, performed after his death. It portrays the sacrifice of Iphigenia by her father Agamemnon and questions the price of military glory.

Euripides' final work, on the cult of Dionysus and the destructive madness of King Pentheus. A masterpiece on the conflict between reason and irrational forces.

A play in which the wife Alcestis agrees to die in place of her husband Admetus. Blending tragic and comic elements, it illustrates Euripides' originality in handling genres.

Tragedy depicting the transformation of Queen Hecuba from a grieving mother into a figure of vengeance after the fall of Troy. A powerful reflection on suffering and dehumanization.

"Of all things which are living and can form a judgment we women are the most unfortunate creatures. Firstly, to an excessive price, we must buy a husband and take a master for our body."

"The god, son of Zeus, delights in banquets, and he loves Peace, giver of wealth, goddess who nurtures the young. He grants alike to the poor and to the rich the painless joy of wine."

"Among mortals, no one is free. One is a slave to money, another to fate; sometimes the crowd, sometimes the written laws prevent one from living according to one's own will."

"I made tragedy democratic: I gave voice to women, slaves, masters, young girls and old women." Aristophanes puts these words in Euripides' mouth to summarize his theatrical revolution.

Large open-air theatre at the foot of the Acropolis, capable of holding approximately 17,000 spectators. It is here that Euripides presented the vast majority of his tragedies during the contests of the Great Dionysia.

Island in the Saronic Gulf where Euripides is said to have been born. Tradition holds that he would retreat to a cave facing the sea to compose his works, away from the bustle of the city.

Central hub of Athenian political and intellectual life. Euripides mingled there with philosophers, notably Socrates and Anaxagoras, whose ideas profoundly influenced his theatre.

Capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia where Euripides went into exile at the end of his life, welcomed by King Archelaus. It is there that he composed his final plays, including The Bacchae, and where he died in 406 BC.

Temple dedicated to Dionysus, adjacent to the theatre, where the religious ceremonies preceding the dramatic performances in which Euripides took part were held.

A mask made of stiffened linen or wood, covering the entire face, with an open mouth serving as a megaphone. Euripides used varied masks for his many female characters and fallen heroes.

The writing medium on which Euripides composed his tragedies. His personal library, one of the first known in Athens, was famous in Antiquity.

A mechanical lifting device used to make gods appear above the stage. Euripides made such frequent use of it that it gave rise to the expression "deus ex machina".

High boots with thick soles worn by tragic actors to appear taller. They contributed to the imposing stature of characters on the theatre stage.

Common writing instruments used for drafts and notes. Euripides could sketch out dialogues on them before transcribing them onto papyrus.

A stringed instrument accompanying the choral songs of tragedies. Euripides was renowned for his musical innovations, incorporating more complex and expressive melodies.