This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Medea

   

   "Medea" is a Greek tragedy that tells the story of Medea, a former princess of the "barbarian" kingdom of Colchis, and her husband Jason, who leave her to marry Glauce, the daughter of Creon, king of Corinth. In a fit of rage, Medea decides to take revenge on Jason by killing their children, Jason's new wife, and her father, King Creon. The play explores themes of revenge, women's rights, and the dangers of absolute power.

   The 305th Greatest Book of All Time

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2. 2. The Bacchae

   

   "The Bacchae" is a classic Greek tragedy where the god Dionysus, disguised as a mortal, returns to his birthplace in Greece to punish the impious King Pentheus who denies Dionysus's divine nature and refuses to worship him. The narrative explores themes of revenge, mortality, and the relationship between man and god. Dionysus uses his power to drive the women of the city into a crazed frenzy, leading to a tragic end for King Pentheus and his mother Agave.

   The 942nd Greatest Book of All Time

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3. 3. Trojan Women

   

   "Trojan Women" is a tragic play set in the aftermath of the Trojan War, focusing on the fate of the women of Troy. The story follows the mother of Hector, Hecuba, and her daughter-in-law, Andromache, as they grapple with the loss of their city and loved ones. They, along with other women, are destined to become slaves to the victorious Greeks. The narrative explores themes of war, suffering, and the resilience of women in the face of adversity.

   The 2187th Greatest Book of All Time

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4. 4. Hippolytus

   

   "Hippolytus" is a tragic play that revolves around the themes of lust, revenge, and the wrath of the gods. The story follows the character Hippolytus, a dedicated follower of the goddess Artemis, who spurns the advances of his stepmother Phaedra. In a fit of jealousy, Phaedra falsely accuses Hippolytus of rape, leading his father Theseus to curse him. The resulting divine punishment and misunderstandings lead to the tragic deaths of both Hippolytus and Phaedra, revealing the devastating consequences of deceit and the unforgiving nature of the gods.

   The 2512th Greatest Book of All Time

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5. 5. Collected Plays Of Euripides

   

   The "Collected Plays of Euripides" is a compilation of works by the ancient Greek tragedian, Euripides, known for his innovative approach to traditional myths and exploration of complex human emotions. The collection includes some of his most famous plays, such as "Medea," "The Bacchae," and "Hippolytus," which delve into themes of revenge, divine intervention, and the struggles of individuals against societal norms. Euripides is celebrated for his portrayal of strong female characters and his ability to evoke empathy for flawed individuals, challenging audiences to reconsider moral and ethical dilemmas. Through his dramatic narratives, Euripides offers a profound commentary on the human condition, making his plays enduringly relevant.

   The 2796th Greatest Book of All Time

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6. 6. Alcestis

   

   "Alcestis" is a Greek tragedy that tells the story of a queen who voluntarily chooses to die in place of her husband, the king, when he is fated to die early. The king's friend, Heracles, visits them and, unaware of the queen's death, is offended that he is not being properly entertained. Upon learning the truth, he fights and defeats Death to bring the queen back to life, restoring happiness to the royal household. The play explores themes of love, sacrifice, death, and the power of friendship.

   The 3099th Greatest Book of All Time

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7. 7. Andromache

   

   The play centers on the plight of Andromache, a Trojan widow and the former wife of Hector, who is now a slave to the Greek conqueror Neoptolemus. She struggles to protect her son from the murderous intentions of Neoptolemus' new wife, Hermione, and her father, Menelaus. Andromache seeks sanctuary at the shrine of Thetis, as she confronts the harsh realities of her reduced status and the political machinations of her enemies. The play examines themes of power, revenge, and the fates of women in a world ravaged by war, ultimately leading to an intervention by the god Peleus, which prevents further bloodshed and resolves the immediate conflict.

   The 4211th Greatest Book of All Time

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8. 8. Heracles

   The Madness of Heracles

   

   The play centers on the tragic hero Heracles, who, upon returning home from his labors, discovers that his wife and children are about to be executed by a tyrant who has usurped his throne. In a cruel twist of fate, Heracles is driven mad by the goddess Hera and, in his insanity, slays his own family, believing them to be his enemies. Upon regaining his sanity and realizing the horror of what he has done, Heracles is confronted with the unbearable weight of his actions and the loss of his family, leaving him to grapple with his guilt and the question of how to continue living after such a catastrophe.

   The 4214th Greatest Book of All Time

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9. 9. Hecuba

   

   The tragedy centers on the sorrow and vengeance of a queen who has lost her city, her husband, and her children to war. After the fall of Troy, she becomes a slave to the Greeks and faces the ultimate horror of witnessing the sacrifice of her daughter and the brutal murder of her last surviving son. Her grief transforms into a dark quest for retribution, leading her to take justice into her own hands, which raises profound questions about morality and the limits of human suffering.

   The 4213th Greatest Book of All Time

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10. 10. Ion

    

    "Ion" is a classical Greek tragedy that revolves around themes of identity, fate, and the complexities of family relationships. The play tells the story of a young man, Ion, who serves as an attendant at the temple of Apollo in Delphi. Unbeknownst to him, he is the son of Apollo and Creusa, the queen of Athens. Creusa, having been raped by Apollo and believing her child was dead, comes to the temple seeking answers about her lost son. A series of oracular revelations and dramatic encounters eventually lead to the recognition and reunion of mother and son. The play explores the intervention of the gods in human lives, the nature of legitimacy and inheritance, and the reconciliation of past trauma with present joy.

    The 4215th Greatest Book of All Time

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11. 11. Iphigenia At Aulis

    

    In this ancient Greek tragedy, a dire situation unfolds as the Greek fleet, ready to sail for Troy, is becalmed at Aulis. The leader of the Greeks, Agamemnon, faces a harrowing choice when the seer Calchas reveals that the goddess Artemis demands the sacrifice of his daughter, Iphigenia, to appease her and allow the winds to blow once more. Torn between duty and love, Agamemnon lures his daughter to Aulis under the pretense of a marriage to Achilles, only to confront the moral dilemma of sacrificing his child for the sake of his army's success. The play delves into themes of honor, sacrifice, and the devastating costs of war, as characters grapple with their fates and the consequences of their choices.

    The 4216th Greatest Book of All Time

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12. 12. Orestes

    

    The play centers around Orestes, who, after obeying the god Apollo's command to avenge his father Agamemnon's murder by killing his mother Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus, is tormented by the Furies and rejected by his community. Facing execution, Orestes, along with his sister Electra and friend Pylades, concocts a desperate plan for survival that includes the potential murder of Helen, the wife of his absent brother Menelaus, and the taking of her daughter Hermione as a hostage. The play explores themes of justice, revenge, and the complexities of familial loyalty, culminating in a divine intervention that offers a resolution to Orestes' plight.

    The 4220th Greatest Book of All Time

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13. 13. Cyclops

    

    "Cyclops" is a satyr play that blends elements of comedy and tragedy, drawing from the mythological encounter between Odysseus and the titular one-eyed giant. The narrative follows Odysseus and his men as they become trapped in the cave of the Cyclops, a savage and uncivilized creature. Employing wit and cunning, Odysseus devises a plan to intoxicate the monster with wine and blind him, securing an escape for himself and his crew. The play explores themes of intelligence versus brute force, the struggle for survival, and the clever triumph of human ingenuity over monstrous barbarism.

    The 5804th Greatest Book of All Time

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14. 14. Helen

    

    The play is a unique twist on the story of Helen of Troy, presenting an alternate version where Helen never actually went to Troy but was instead whisked away to Egypt by the gods while a phantom took her place, leading to the infamous Trojan War. In Egypt, the real Helen waits for her husband, Menelaus, to find her, while fending off the advances of the Egyptian king who desires her. When Menelaus finally arrives, he and Helen must concoct a plan to escape together, challenging the audience's perception of the myths surrounding Helen's beauty and the war fought in her name.

    The 5809th Greatest Book of All Time

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15. 15. Electra

    

    Set in the aftermath of the Trojan War, the story follows a young woman consumed by grief and a thirst for vengeance after her father is murdered by her mother and her mother's lover. Living in squalor and married to a humble farmer, she yearns for justice and the return of her brother, who was sent away as a child. When her brother finally returns, they conspire to avenge their father's death, leading to a tragic and bloody confrontation that questions the morality of revenge and the cycle of violence within a family.

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16. 16. The Phoenician Women

    

    Set against the backdrop of the Theban civil war, this ancient Greek tragedy delves into the tumultuous aftermath of Oedipus's downfall. The narrative unfolds as his sons, Eteocles and Polynices, vie for the throne, leading to a catastrophic conflict that threatens to tear their family apart. Their mother, Jocasta, and sister, Antigone, are caught in the crossfire, desperately attempting to mediate peace and prevent further bloodshed. The play poignantly explores themes of fate, familial loyalty, and the destructive nature of power, all while highlighting the tragic consequences of human ambition and pride.

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17. 17. Suppliant Women

    

    In this poignant Greek tragedy, the narrative unfolds around the grief-stricken mothers of the fallen Argive soldiers who beseech the city of Athens for help in retrieving the bodies of their sons, denied proper burial by the victorious Thebans. The play delves into themes of justice, compassion, and the moral obligations of the living towards the dead, as Theseus, the Athenian king, is moved by their plight and intervenes to restore dignity to the deceased. Through its exploration of human suffering and the quest for honor, the story underscores the timeless struggle between power and empathy.

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18. 18. The Children Of Herakles

    

    Set in the aftermath of the Trojan War, this ancient Greek tragedy explores themes of asylum, justice, and the struggle for survival. The narrative follows the children of the fallen hero Herakles, who seek refuge in Athens to escape the wrath of Eurystheus, the tyrannical king of Argos. As they plead for sanctuary, the play delves into the moral and political dilemmas faced by the Athenians, who must decide whether to protect the innocent or succumb to the demands of a powerful adversary. Through its exploration of loyalty, courage, and the complexities of human nature, the story highlights the timeless conflict between compassion and self-preservation.

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19. 19. Iphigeneia In Tauris

    

    In this classic Greek tragedy, the story unfolds with Iphigenia, who was once saved from sacrifice by the goddess Artemis and now serves as a priestess in the land of Tauris. Her life takes a dramatic turn when her brother Orestes, accompanied by his friend Pylades, arrives on a mission to retrieve a sacred statue. Unaware of each other's identities, the siblings are caught in a web of divine intervention, familial bonds, and moral dilemmas. As the narrative progresses, themes of fate, redemption, and the power of kinship are explored, leading to a poignant reunion and a daring escape plan that challenges the will of the gods.

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20. 20. Euripides Iii

    

    This collection brings together a series of powerful and thought-provoking plays that delve into the complexities of human nature, the consequences of war, and the intricate dynamics of family and society. Through vivid characters and intense narratives, the plays explore themes of revenge, justice, and the divine, often challenging traditional moral and social norms. Each play is a testament to the enduring relevance of ancient drama, offering timeless insights into the human condition and the struggles that define it.

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21. 21. Euripides V

    

    This collection of plays delves into the complexities of human nature, exploring themes of power, revenge, and the divine through the lens of ancient Greek tragedy. The narratives unfold with intense emotional depth, as characters grapple with their fates and moral dilemmas, often leading to catastrophic consequences. The stories are rich with dramatic tension and philosophical inquiry, offering timeless reflections on the human condition and the often tumultuous relationship between mortals and the gods.

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22. 22. Bacchae And Other Plays

    

    A collection of classical dramas exploring the perilous tension between human authority and divine will, the devastation and endurance born of war, and the unstable nature of identity and truth. Across these plays, disbelief and hubris invite catastrophe, captives and exiles seek survival and recognition, and rulers confront the limits of power, while a satyr interlude punctures pretension with earthy humor. Together they trace the consequences of passion and piety in a world governed by capricious gods and fragile mortals.

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23. 23. The Trojan Women And Other Plays

    

    A collection of Greek tragedies that confronts the aftermath of the Trojan War through the voices of defeated queens, mothers, and captives, charting the ruin of a city and the moral corrosion of its conquerors. Through scenes of enslavement, child sacrifice, and political calculation, it probes the emptiness of heroic glory, questions divine justice, and depicts the harrowing cycles of grief and revenge, while finding a stark, enduring dignity in those forced to endure war’s consequences.

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24. 24. Heracles And Other Plays

    

    A collection of tragedies that probes the limits of human endurance and the fallout of divine caprice, following heroes and families undone by war, madness, and the ravages of conflict. Through stark reversals, contested justice, and poignant choral laments, these plays dissect power, kinship, and moral responsibility, revealing how fragile honor and sanity become amid political turmoil and the gods’ indifference.

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25. 25. Grief Lessons

    Four Plays by Euripides

    

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26. 26. Alcestis And Other Plays

    And Other Plays

    

    A compact collection of Greek tragedies that probes human passion, moral ambiguity and the clash between mortal duty and divine caprice, centering on stories of self-sacrifice, fierce revenge and shaken social order: one play portrays a devoted wife who willingly dies to spare her husband, another shows a wronged mother driven to an extreme act of vengeance, and others feature shattered families, accusatory choruses and the unsettling interventions of gods, all rendered with powerful dialogue, lyrical choral passages and tragic irony.

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27. 27. Медея

    

    Трагедия рассказывает о женщине-изгнанке и матери, преданной мужем, который женится на царской дочери ради статуса; охваченная яростью и отчаянием, она испытывает понятия любви и справедливости, совершая чудовищную месть — убивает соперницу и её отца, а затем собственных детей, чтобы лишить предателя будущего, после чего исчезает, оставляя зрителей перед тяжёлыми вопросами о мести, страсти, морали и положению чужаков.

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28. 28. Euripides Iv

    

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29. 29. Euripides Ii

    

    A collection of powerful tragic dramas that retell well-known myths with psychological acuity and moral ambiguity, probing the clash between human passion and social or divine order. The works foreground embattled characters—often women—caught in dilemmas of revenge, injustice, or forbidden desire, blending sharp dialogue, dark irony, and lyrical moments to expose the limits of communal values and the harsh consequences of hubris and fate.

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