About the book
For eight centuries after his death Menander was the third most popular poet in the Greek-speaking world, and his plays, through Roman imitations and adaptations, engendered a tradition of European light drama that extends to our own day. But it is only since 1844 that some of the actual texts of Menander's plays have been rediscovered, mostly in Egyptian papyri. Two of these have given us four-fifths of the script of Samia (The Woman from Samos), a play of deception and misunderstanding in which a marriage that everyone desires almost fails to happen, two women and a baby are almost ruined, and a loving father almost loses his only son, because the people at home and the people abroad have both been doing things behind each other's backs – but somehow everything ends happily after all. This is the first full-scale edition with English commentary and is suitable for upper-level students.
Editions of Menander: Samia (the Woman from Samos)
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780521514286
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780521735421
Read an Excerpt
For eight centuries after his death Menander was the third most popular poet in the Greek-speaking world, and his plays, through Roman imitations and adaptations, engendered a tradition of European light drama that extends to our own day. But it is only since 1844 that some of the actual texts of Menander's plays have been rediscovered, mostly in Egyptian papyri. Two of these have given us four-fifths of the script of Samia (The Woman from Samos), a play of deception and misunderstanding in which a marriage that everyone desires almost fails to happen, two women and a baby are almost ruined, and a loving father almost loses his only son, because the people at home and the people abroad have both been doing things behind each other's backs – but somehow everything ends happily after all. This is the first full-scale edition with English commentary and is suitable for upper-level students.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Menander: Samia (the Woman from Samos) about?
For eight centuries after his death Menander was the third most popular poet in the Greek-speaking world, and his plays, through Roman imitations and adaptations, engendered a tradition of European light drama that extends to our own day. But it is only since 1844 that some of the actual texts of Menander's plays have been rediscovered, mostly in Egyptian papyri. Two of these have given us four-fifths of the script of Samia (The Woman from Samos), a play of deception and misunderstanding in which a marriage that everyone desires almost fails to happen, two women and a baby are almost ruined, and a loving father almost loses his only son, because the people at home and the people abroad have both been doing things behind each other's backs – but somehow everything ends happily after all. This is the first full-scale edition with English commentary and is suitable for upper-level students.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Menander: Samia (the Woman from Samos)?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Plays, playscripts, drama
Where can I read a sample of Menander: Samia (the Woman from Samos)?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780521514286
Is Menander: Samia (the Woman from Samos) part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Menander: Samia (the Woman from Samos)?
Alan H. Sommerstein
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Menander: Samia (the Woman from Samos) is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780521514286) and paperback(ISBN 9780521735421)