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This paperback edition of the Medea is the first full-scale edition with introduction, text, apparatus criticus, and commentary, of any play by Seneca. Its purpose is primarily to elucidate the play itself, but at the same time it is easily accessible to students of English and French literature since Costa clarifies several of the links between the ancient play and the work of later European playwrights. That Seneca's work influenced European literature is
well attested, but his Medea is particularly interesting as it was preceded by Euripides' version and followed by many plays on the subject in English, French, and German, derived more or less closely from Seneca's.
Summary
This paperback edition of the Medea is the first full-scale edition with introduction, text, apparatus criticus, and commentary, of any play by Seneca. Its purpose is primarily to elucidate the play itself, but at the same time it is easily accessible to students of English and French literature since Costa clarifies several of the links between the ancient play and the work of later European playwrights. That Seneca's work influenced European literature is well attested, but his Medea is particularly interesting as it was preceded by Euripides' version and followed by many plays on the subject in English, French, and German, derived more or less closely from Seneca's.
Additional text
'the first detailed commentary ever to be produced in English
on a Senecan tragedy ... gives all the linguistic and metrical help an undergraduate might need'
Classical Review
'the Oxford University Press is to be congratulated on publishing
this excellent edition' Journal of Roman Studies
'an admirable new text of the Medea and a very valuable commentary
of the type that opens new horizons' Prudentia
