Audiobook

Agamemnon

Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Agamemnon is a verse tragedy of 1012 lines written by the Roman playwright Seneca the Younger in the 1st Century CE and based on the Greek Legend of the conflict within the House of Atreus.

The blood-feud between Atreus and Thyestes was not ended with the terrible vengeance which Atreus wreaked upon his brother. It was yet in fate that Thyestes should live to beget upon his own daughter a son, Aegisthus, who should slay Atreus and bring ruin and death upon the great Atrides, Agamemnon.

The Trojan war is done. And now the near approach of the victorious king, bringing his captives and treasure home to Argos, has been announced. But little does he dream to what a home he is returning. For Clytemnestra, enraged at Agamemnon because he had sacrificed her daughter Iphigenia at Aulis to appease the winds, and full of jealousy because he brings Cassandra as her rival home, estranged also by the long-continued absence of her lord, but most estranged by her own guilty union with Aegisthus, is now plotting to slay Agamemnon on his return, gaining thus at once revenge and safety from his wrath.

(Summary by Alan Mapstone and the translator)

Cast List

Agamemnon, King of Argos: Alan Mapstone
Ghost of Thyestes: Alan Mapstone
Clytemnesta: Wendy Katz Hiller
Aegisthus: Beeswaxcandle
Cassandra: Jenn Broda
Eurybates: Greg Giordano
Electra: Sonia
Strobius: ToddHW
Nurse: Rapunzelina
Chorus of Argive Women: Rita Boutros
Band of Captive Trojan Women: Agnes Robert Behr
Stage Directions: Inkell