Aias

AIAS, translated by award-winning poet James Scully, is one of Sophocles's seven surviving works, and one of the most celebrated plays of ancient Athens.

Still powerful and remarkably timely thousands of years after its creation, Aias is the moving story of a soldier returning home victorious from the Trojan War, only to discover he has lost his life’s purpose. This is Sophocles, vibrant and alive, for a new generation.

This poetic and accessible translation illuminates the core conflicts of a legendary hero:

• The Heroic Ethos: Witness the downfall of Aias, the greatest warrior after Achilles, as his own heroic code leads to his irremediable shame.
• Divine Intervention: Explore the chilling power of the gods as Athena herself intervenes, turning a hero’s murderous rage into a tragic, bloody farce.
• Political Drama: Delve into the fierce debates over Aias’s body, a struggle that pits individual honor against the ruthless demands of the state and its commanders.
• Scholarly Introduction and Notes: Gain deeper insight from a comprehensive introduction and detailed notes by translator James Scully, contextualizing the play for contemporary readers and performers.