Greek Tragedies

aconnellsmith
  • 3.7 (3)
  • Drama
  • Updated Weekly

Complete readings of the tragedies by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.  If you enjoy this podcast, listen to my satirical novel podcast here: https://sperryhawke.podbean.com

  1. 2d ago

    Tantalus

    Tantalus, mighty king and son of Zeus, prepares a feast for the gods—and becomes convinced it is a test of his own divinity. As reason gives way to pride, he crosses the final boundary between man and god, father and monster, and discovers too late the meaning of the laws he has broken.

  2. Aug 9

    The Persians

    In the only surviving tragedy telling of contemporary events, Aeschylus tells of the defeat of the Persian armies at Salamis.

  3. Aug 1

    Odysseus in Hades

    Odysseus awakens in darkness, waiting for a dawn that never comes. Guided by Sisyphus through the shadows of Hades, the great king retraces the path of his life until memory gives way to truth.

  4. Jul 25

    Antigone

    A sister defies a king. A ruler defies the gods. Sophocles’ Antigone is one of the defining tragedies of the ancient world, exploring duty, law, pride, and the devastating cost of moral certainty. In this episode, we examine the clash between Antigone and Creon and ask why this timeless drama continues to provoke debate more than 2,400 years after it was first performed.

  5. Jul 18

    The Cyclops

    In honor of the release of The Odyssey, this week we read the only extant satyr play, The Cyclops by Euripides. In Greek Theater, authors wrote four plays for a performance, three tragedies and one comedy called a satyr play. This satyr tells the story of Odysseus outwitting the Cyclops.

  6. Jul 12

    Medea

    Betrayed by Jason's marriage to Creon's daughter and threatened with exile, Medea resolves a terrible revenge. She sends poisoned gifts that kill the bride and Creon, then—unable to allow her children to be used against her—kills her own sons. After committing these acts she escapes Corinth in a chariot granted by her divine lineage, leaving Jason ruined and the city shattered. The episode examines betrayal, wrath, and the tragic consequences of vengeance.

    Medea

  7. Jul 5

    Hippolytus

    A proud young prince devoted to Artemis rejects love and scorns the power of Aphrodite. In revenge, the goddess kindles a forbidden passion in his stepmother, Phaedra, setting in motion one of Greek tragedy’s cruelest chains of misunderstanding. In this episode, we explore Euripides’ Hippolytus—a haunting drama of chastity, desire, divine vengeance, and the heartbreaking reconciliation between a father and his dying son.

  8. Jun 20

    Hymn to Apollo

    In this episode, we turn from tragedy to one of the oldest surviving works of Greek literature: the Homeric Hymn to Apollo. We follow the god’s remarkable rise from his miraculous birth on the island of Delos to his conquest of the monstrous Python at Delphi. Along the way, Apollo establishes his great oracle, claims his sacred sanctuary, and gathers the first priests who will serve him. More than a simple hymn of praise, the poem reveals how the Greeks understood divine power, prophecy, music, and the founding of sacred places. It is the story of a young god announcing himself to the world—and ensuring that mortals will hear his voice for generations to come.

See All (16)

Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Complete readings of the tragedies by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.  If you enjoy this podcast, listen to my satirical novel podcast here: https://sperryhawke.podbean.com

Information

  • Creator
    aconnellsmith
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Greek Tragedies