Person · Literary figure
Agamemnon
- Region
- Greek literary traditions
Figure of Greek narrative, commander of the expedition to Troy and Iphigenia's father in Euripides; the play does not independently establish his historicity.
Metadata
These are descriptive fields, not conclusions.
- Edition
- 3
Text
Agamemnon is a figure in Greek poetry and drama and Iphigenia's father in the opening of Euripides' Iphigenia among the Taurians, from the late fifth century BCE. She says his fleet was held at Aulis and that the demand to sacrifice her preceded ArtemisArtemisGoddess of hunting in Greek traditions and Apollo’s sister, named among the divine company in the Iliad.Glossary · Click to read the explanation' intervention and substitution of a deer. This reports the play, not direct evidence of a historical expedition or sacrifice. [1]
The Metropolitan Museum of Art tapestry shows Agamemnon mustering troops at Aulis in a later Story of Iphigenia cycle. It is later European art, not a contemporary depiction of the dramatic figure. [2]
References and notes
- Iphigenia tells her parentage, the stop at Aulis and the substitution. Euripides, Iphigenia in Tauris, opening lines 1–30; excerpt read. Return to the text ↑
- Later tapestry of the scene, not a historical image of Agamemnon. The Met 226955, Agamemnon Musters the Greek Troops at Aulis, later tapestry, Public Domain/Open Access. Return to the text ↑
Research history
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Cite this record
IL Archive, «Agamemnon», Edition 3, https://ilarchive.com/en/people/agamemnon