"Antiope" unfolds a tale set in the ancient city of Thebes, founded by Cadmus, a Phoenician prince guided by an oracle. The city, renowned for its seven-gated walls and rich mythological history, is shadowed by the curse of Cadmus's hybris —his boasting that his marriage to Harmonia, the daughter of Ares and Aphrodite, was more splendid than the banquets of the gods. This hubris brings divine retribution upon Cadmus's descendants and upon the Theban throne, intertwining their fates with misfortune and vengeance.
In the broader region of Boeotia, Antiope, the daughter of Nycteus, a Boeotian hero, flourishes. Nycteus and his brother Lycus, after fleeing to Thebes due to accusations of murder, rise to prominence; Nycteus joins the royal guard, while Lycus later becomes the king-regent of Thebes, after King Pentheus's death. Antiope's troubles begin when she is impregnated by Zeus, forcing her to flee Thebes, in shame. In Sicyon, she marries King Epopeus. Lycus, coveting power and seeing Antiope as a threat, attacks Sicyon, overpowers Epopeus, and takes Antiope captive. This marks the beginning of her suffering and despair.
Antiope's plight worsens as she gives birth to twin sons, Amphion and Zethus, on her way back to Thebes, on Mount Cithaeron —only to have them abandoned by Lycus in the wilderness. Raised by a kindly herdsman, the twins grow unaware of their noble lineage. Meanwhile, Antiope endures relentless torment from Lycus's wife, Dirce. Yet, her spirit remains unbroken, even through years of captivity.
As this tragedy unfolds its events, the titular character escapes from her cruel captivity in Thebes, driven by the divine aid of god Dionysus. As she returns to Mount Cithaeron, where she had given birth to her sons, the play follows her desperate journey to find them. The narrative unfolds as Antiope's sons come to terms with their noble lineage and then plot to overthrow King Lycus and his wife, Dirce, who have wronged their mother. As the twins and Antiope confront their enemies, themes of justice, vengeance and identity weave through the drama, leading to a climactic resolution.
This tragedy intertwines the myths of Thebes with the personal tale of Antiope, aiming to capture the essence of ancient Greek theatre, by exploring the complex interplay between human suffering and divine intervention. The play explores themes of justice, vengeance, identity, and the transformative power of art, inviting audiences to reflect on human suffering and on the quest for redemption —amidst divine intervention and mortal frailty.
By presenting this timeless story in English, my aim is to reach a broader audience fostering a deeper appreciation for ancient Greek drama, while making the play accessible to a more culturally diverse readership. A Greek translation will follow, most probably in the first half of 2025, honoring the original cultural context of this drama.
Most of the verses which have been found on the fragments of Euripides' "Antiope" have been used, in positions close to those academically suggested in various scholarly papers regarding possible reconstructions of the dramaturgy of Euripides. These verses have been seamlessly integrated into this play, to enhance its authenticity. However, a substantial dramaturgical and poetical liberty had to be taken.
