Tragedy Offstage: Suffering and Sympathy in Ancient Athens

by Rachel Hall Sternberg

Book Overview

Humane ideals were central to the image Athenians had of themselves and their city during the classical period. Tragic plays, which formed a part of civic education, often promoted pity and compassion. But it is less clear to what extent Athenians embraced such ideals in daily life. How were they expected to respond, emotionally and pragmatically, to the suffering of other people? Under what circumstances? At what risk to themselves?

In...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0292722389
• ISBN13: 9780292722385
• Release Date: December 2006
• Publisher: University of Texas Press
• Length: 250 Pages
• Weight: 0.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"