Iphigenia at Aulis Summary

Iphigenia at Aulis begins with a speech that has been lost, though the play that is extant begins with Agamemnon discussing the history of his family and the events that have led up to the need to sacrifice his daughter. Agamemnon becomes the leader of the Greeks after Paris stole his brother's wife, Helen. He assembles all the Greek troops at Aulis, but now they are left sitting in the port waiting for wind. The prophet Calchas has said that the lack of wind is the work of Artemis and that Artemis demands the sacrifice of Agamemnon's daughter Iphigenia. Agamemnon tells his wife and daughter that he arranged the marriage of Iphigenia and Achilles at Aulis and they should come immediately.

Agamemnon calls a servant over to his desk and gives the servant a letter. The king has been...