Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1817 edition. Excerpt: ...the sovereignty of the stage; but it had been witnessed by the youth Euripides; who aspired to emulate it, even while he was taking lessons of eloquence under Prodicus, and of philosophy under Anaxagoras. He was seen, therefore, at the age of eighteen/ to enter the theatrical career, which he and Sophocles ran with rival speed, like two spirited coursers who with equal ardour pant for the victory. Though Euripides possessed many pleasing qualities of mind, his severity in general banished from his air the graces of the smile, and the brilliant colours of joy. He, as well as Pericles, had contracted this habit from the example of Anaxagoras, their common master.' Jests and pleasantries excited his indignation. " I hate," says he in one of his pieoes, " those useless men who have no other merit than that of indulging their mirth, at the expense of the sages who despise them."" In this expression he alluded especially to the authors of comedies; who, on their side, endeavoured to cast an odium on his morals, as they did to calumniate those of the philosophers. But to this accusation it had been a sufficient answer to have observed, that Euripides was the friend of Socrates, who was seldom present at theatrical representations, except when the pieces of that poet were acted." q Plut. in dim. t. i. p. 483. r Aul. Gell. Noct. Att. lib. 15. c. 20. Alex. y tol. ap. Aul. Gell. ibid. He had exhibited on the stage princesses polluted with crimes; and on these occasions had more than once launched forth into violent invectives against women in general/ Endeavours were therefore made to irritate them against him." Some maintained that he hated them; but others, more intelligent, affirmed that he loved them with ardour.b " Euripides detests..."