Andromakhe (2)Andromache

A tragedy by Euripides (circa 426? BCE).

The story takes place after the fall of the city of Troy when Andromakhe was forced to become the concubine of Neoptolemus in Thessaly.

Andromakhe was the devoted wife of the slain leader of the Trojan army, Hektor (Hector), and Neoptolemus was the son of the fallen Greek hero, Akhilleus (Achilles), so the relationship was one of pure spite and revenge despite the birth of their son, Molossus.

The childless wife of Neoptolemus plotted to kill Andromakhe and Molossus with the help of the Spartan king, Menelaos (Menelaus); in the end, the mother and son were saved by the intervention of Neoptolemus’ grandfather, Peleus.

The play was produced in Athens in the early part of the Peloponnesian War and portrayed the Spartan king, Menelaos, in a dark and unflattering way due to the hostile Athenian sentiment towards Sparta.

I personally recommend the translations compiled by Richmond Lattimore and David Grene; you can find this and other plays by Euripides in the 882 section of your local library or you can order them from the Book Shop on this site which is linked to Amazon.com.