Fragments of two lost tragedies by Euripides discovered in an Egyptian papyrus
Two scholars from the University of Colorado Boulder discovered significant fragments of lost tragedies by Euripides in a papyrus, revealing 80% new content from "Polyidus" and "Ino."
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Two scholars from the University of Colorado Boulder have discovered significant fragments from two previously lost tragedies by the ancient Greek playwright Euripides, marking a major archaeological find. The fragments were found in a papyrus sent by Basem Gehad, an archaeologist with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, which was discovered at the ancient site of Philadelphia in Egypt. Due to legal restrictions on artifact removal, Yvona Trnka-Amrhein analyzed high-resolution images of the 98-line papyrus. Her examination revealed that it contained previously unknown material from Euripides' works, specifically "Polyidus" and "Ino." Of the 98 lines, 80 percent was new content, with only 22 lines being known in different versions. "Polyidus" recounts a Cretan myth involving the resurrection of a drowned boy, while "Ino" presents a plot twist where Ino is portrayed as a victim rather than an evil stepmother. The scholars have faced scrutiny but are confident in their findings, which they presented to experts in Washington, D.C. Their work is set to be published, contributing significantly to the understanding of Euripides' lost plays.
- Fragments of two lost tragedies by Euripides have been discovered in an Egyptian papyrus.
- The discovery is considered one of the most significant in over fifty years.
- The fragments include new material from "Polyidus" and "Ino," with 80% being previously unknown.
- The findings have undergone scrutiny and are set for publication.
- The research highlights the evolving understanding of Euripides' works and their narratives.
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4 commentsUncovered Euripides fragments are 'kind of a big deal' - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41157192 - Aug 2024 (90 comments)
Who would be so despicable?
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