HWS News
24 April 2024 • Faculty Himmelhoch's "Remarkable," "Praiseworthy" Take on Agamemnon By Andrew Wickenden '09
Associate Professor of Greek and Roman Studies Leah Himmelhoch’s new translation of Aeschylus’ Agamemnon receives a rave review.
Associate Professor of Greek and Roman Studies Leah Himmelhoch’s translation of Aeschylus’ classic tragedy, along with her in-depth commentary, drew praise in the Bryn Mawr Classical Review.
In his review, Tommaso Suaria notes the “obstacles” of any new commentary on Agamemnon: “on the one hand, the text is as dense, complex and sometimes mysterious as it is breathtakingly powerful; on the other hand, the precedent of Eduard Fraenkel’s edition and commentary would humble even the most learned scholar.…. Himmelhoch has risen splendidly to the challenge. Her book is a valuable tool for students of all levels, as well as for experienced classicists seeking to untangle the intricacies of Aeschylus’ masterpiece.”
Agamemnon is the first play in Aeschylus’ Oresteia trilogy, exploring the complexities of fate, justice and revenge against the backdrop of the Trojan War.
Published earlier this year, Himmelhoch’s approach is rich in historical, literary and performative context, with detailed commentary to help readers access the play’s challenging language. Geared toward first-time readers, Himmelhoch’s commentary especially fulfills the needs of undergraduate Greek students, and is believed to be the first commentary on the play published by a woman.
Suaria praises the “clarity and concision” of her introduction, as well as “the depth and accuracy of her research on and around the text. It remains very close to the Greek without being pedantic. This is especially praiseworthy in the case of choral odes, whose dense, elevated and often intricate language has tormented many a skilled Hellenist.”
In “less than one page” of her commentary, “Himmelhoch manages to make the opening of one of Greek tragedy’s most famous – and most discussed – choral songs accessible to learners,” Suaria writes. “The simplicity with which she deals with notoriously intricate issues comes not only from the author’s expertise as a scholar, but also from her long experience teaching Classics.”
“The constant concern with the students’ benefit is one of the main assets of this book. This, combined with the depth and quality of Himmelhoch’s scholarship, make her Agamemnon a precious addition to the library of anyone reading Greek at all levels, as well as a source of assistance to lecturers and professors,” he explains.
Himmelhoch, who joined the faculty in 1999, holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from University of Texas at Austin and a B.A. from Yale University.
Learn more about Greek and Roman Studies at HWS.
Top: Associate Professor of Greek and Roman Studies Leah Himmelhoch leads a class discussion during “Greek Tragedy.”
