The Trojan Women

Euripides. Euripidis Fabulae, Vol. II. Murray, Gilbert, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1913. (Reprinted 1921-1962)

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This tragedy depicts the devastating fate of the defeated Trojan women in the immediate aftermath of the Trojan War. Set on the shores of the fallen and ruined city of Troy, the drama centers on the former queen, Hecuba, alongside women like Cassandra and Andromache, as they face the harsh reality of being distributed as slaves to the Greek conquerors. At the outset, the gods Poseidon and Athena conspire to punish the Greeks on their return journey, yet the mortals remain unaware of this divine retribution. As the plot unfolds, relentless tragedies strike the captive women, including Cassandra's wild prophecies of doom and the brutal execution of Andromache's young son, Astyanax. Following a confrontation between Hecuba and Helen over the latter's guilt, the play reaches a sorrowful climax as Hecuba buries her grandson on Hector's shield. Ultimately, as Troy is set ablaze, the women sing their final laments and are led away to the ships, beginning their lives of exile and servitude.