[19] The construction is thus laid down by Elmsley:  [Greek:  palai gar odinousa [peri] ton aphig. ps. et. ei. n. [auton] genesetai].  He remarks that [Greek:  nostos] often means “arrival,” in the tragedians.

[20] See Matthiae.  I should, however, prefer [Greek:  pais] for [Greek:  pou], with Elmsley.

[21] [Greek:  kata] is understood, as in Thucyd. v. 67.  ELMSLEY.

[22] See Alcest. 662, Iph.  Taur. 245, and Elmsley’s note on this passage.

[23] [Greek:  gymnos], expeditus.  As in agriculture it is applied to the husbandman who casts off his upper garment, so also in war it simply denotes being without armor.

[24] [Greek:  keuthein].

[25] I have corrected [Greek:  keleusmasin Argous], with Reiske and Dindorf.

[26] I have adopted Dindorf’s correction, [Greek:  hessones par’ emoi theoi phanountai].

[27] i.e. the last, says Brodaeus.  But Elmsley prefers taking it for the [Greek:  noumenia] or Kalends, with Musgrave.

[28] [Greek:  doros], which is often used to signify the fight, is here somewhat boldly put for the arrangement of the battle.

[29] Cf.  AEsch.  Soph. c.  Th. 14 sqq.  Elmsley’s notes on the whole of this spirited passage deserve to be consulted.

[30] [Greek:  kratounta] can not be used passively. [Greek:  klaionta] is the conjecture of Orelli, approved by Dindorf.  I have expressed the sense, not the text.

[31] See Musgrave’s note (apud Dindorf).  Tyrwhitt considers all the dramatis personae wrongly assigned.

[32] Ironically spoken.

[33] There seems to be something wrong here.

[34] See Matthiae, who explains it:  “me et supplicem, qui mortem deprecetur, et fortem, qui mortem contemnat, dicere licet.”

* * * * * *

IPHIGENIA IN AULIS.

* * * *

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

  AGAMEMNON. 
  OLD MAN. 
  MENELAUS. 
  ACHILLES. 
  MESSENGER. 
  ANOTHER MESSENGER. 
  IPHIGENIA. 
  CLYTAEMNESTRA. 
  CHORUS.

* * * * *

THE ARGUMENT.

* * * *

When the Greeks were detained at Aulis by stress of weather, Calchas declared that they would never reach Troy unless the daughter of Agamemnon, Iphigenia, was sacrificed to Diana.  Agamemnon sent for his daughter with this view, but repenting, he dispatched a messenger to prevent Clytaemnestra sending her.  The messenger being intercepted by Menelaus, an altercation between the brother chieftains arose, during which Iphigenia, who had been tempted with the expectation of being wedded to Achilles, arrived with her mother.  The latter, meeting with Achilles, discovered the deception, and Achilles swore to protect her.  But Iphigenia, having determined to die nobly on behalf of the Greeks, was snatched away by the Goddess, and a stag substituted in her place.  The Greeks were then enabled to set sail.