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Alexandra: Griechisch – deutsch (Sammlung Tusculum)
Since 1923 the Sammlung Tusculum has published authoritative editions of Greek and Latin works together with a German translation. The original texts are comprehensively annotated, and feature an introductory chapter. In the new volumes, additional essays delve into specific aspects of the works, illuminating their historical context and reception to the present day. The high academic quality of the new editions together with clearly written essays and annotations make the Sammlung Tusculum essential reading for students who are discovering an ancient author for the first time as well as professional scholars who would like to gain a deeper understanding of specific aspects of a given work. Moreover, the series is ideal for lay readers who would like to engage with antiquity through a reliable German translation. The series contains over 270 titles, available in print and eBook editions, making previously out-of-print titles and rarities available again for the first time. In order to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the series, De Gruyter is proud to present Tusculum Online , an eBook package which contains all titles that appeared between 1923 and 2013 - a fitting tribute to an important part of German publishing history.
227 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 275
12 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Lykophron
11 books1 followerLykophron was born around 330 BCE. Poet of the Alexandrian Pleiad, he is attributed several tragedies and a satirical play, but all of them are lost. In the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelfo (285-246 BCE), he was in charge of editing the comedies at the Library of Alexandria.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 31, 2024
My head is spinning after reading this very dense prophecy, uttered by Kassandra; just before the start of the Trojan War. The tradition holds this poem is written by Lykophron but this is probably not correct, it follows that dating the Alexandra is difficult, this publication gives good arguments to go with the 190’s bce.
Whatever the case may be, in this poem Kassandra gives an overview of the (fates of the) Greeks before, during and after the Trojan war, culminating in Roman (Trojan) dominance. She relates many obscure and alternate versions of known - and unknown - stories. To give but one example of the style of this poem: Troy - a central place and idea within this narration - is never called such, but is mostly referred to by other, mostly obscure, names. This is the same for other places, gods, heroes, …
The notes to the poem are a bit lengthier than the prophecy istelf. This, in combination with the many obscure names and myths, doesn’t help its readability. But if you’re able to see passed this, this work reveals itself as one of extraodrinary strength in its themes and language. Kassandra’s account reads as a fever-dream. Especially her predicting and describing her own sad fate (first her rape by Ajax and then her murder by Klytaemnestra) is breathtaking and powerful.
This poem may not be for everyone, but I did enjoy it a lot.
Whatever the case may be, in this poem Kassandra gives an overview of the (fates of the) Greeks before, during and after the Trojan war, culminating in Roman (Trojan) dominance. She relates many obscure and alternate versions of known - and unknown - stories. To give but one example of the style of this poem: Troy - a central place and idea within this narration - is never called such, but is mostly referred to by other, mostly obscure, names. This is the same for other places, gods, heroes, …
The notes to the poem are a bit lengthier than the prophecy istelf. This, in combination with the many obscure names and myths, doesn’t help its readability. But if you’re able to see passed this, this work reveals itself as one of extraodrinary strength in its themes and language. Kassandra’s account reads as a fever-dream. Especially her predicting and describing her own sad fate (first her rape by Ajax and then her murder by Klytaemnestra) is breathtaking and powerful.
This poem may not be for everyone, but I did enjoy it a lot.
June 16, 2017
Me sorprendió gratamente "Alejandra" de Licofrón. Es un autor griego tardío que nos habla de manera muy lírica y un poco complicada de las predicciones de Casandra (sí, la famosa hermana de Héctor y París que más tarde terminada la guerra será la concubina de Agamenón).
No sabía que a Casandra también se le llamaba Alejandra (Sí sabía que a Paris se le decía Alejandro), pues empieza el poema cuando un soldado trae y recita las profecías de Casandra quien había sido encerrada por orden de su propio padre para no desalentar con sus profecías a los troyanos.
Cuenta muchas cosas, desde la desgracia de la Guerra de Troya y la parte más interesante es cuando habla largamente sobre el destino de los distintos héroes griegos luego de la Guerra de Troya, como Neoptólemos, Odiseo, Diómedes, Agamenón, Teucro y otros más. Cosa que hasta ahora no había visto tan bien descritos aparte de la "Biblioteca Mitológica". El estilo de Licofrón es exquisito y erudito, plagado de epítetos y sobre todo metáforas casi omnipresentes, que lo haría muy difícil de entender si no tuviera menos mal notas que permiten interpretar pues el texto original es casi imposible entenderlo sin tener conocimientos extensos de mitología.
No sabía que a Casandra también se le llamaba Alejandra (Sí sabía que a Paris se le decía Alejandro), pues empieza el poema cuando un soldado trae y recita las profecías de Casandra quien había sido encerrada por orden de su propio padre para no desalentar con sus profecías a los troyanos.
Cuenta muchas cosas, desde la desgracia de la Guerra de Troya y la parte más interesante es cuando habla largamente sobre el destino de los distintos héroes griegos luego de la Guerra de Troya, como Neoptólemos, Odiseo, Diómedes, Agamenón, Teucro y otros más. Cosa que hasta ahora no había visto tan bien descritos aparte de la "Biblioteca Mitológica". El estilo de Licofrón es exquisito y erudito, plagado de epítetos y sobre todo metáforas casi omnipresentes, que lo haría muy difícil de entender si no tuviera menos mal notas que permiten interpretar pues el texto original es casi imposible entenderlo sin tener conocimientos extensos de mitología.
June 16, 2017
LA TOMA DE ILION de Trifiodoro
Es una obra pequeña en la cual se describe el exclusivo episodio de la Entrada del Caballo de Troya a la ciudad amurallada y las consecuencias que tuvo para los troyanos.
Basado fundamentalmente en las leyendas homericas y en algunas partes en otras leyendas tardías nos cuenta cómo si fuera un anexo a la Iliada las peripecias de los soldados que estuvieron en el vientre del caballo pasando por la creación del caballo, y el apoyo que brindaron sobre todo Hera, Atenea y Poseidón.
Fue de mi agrado porque aunque bastante corto cuenta la preparación de la toma de Troya a cargo de Odiseo, Diomedes, Neoptolemos y otros héroes griegos y de los enemigos que tuvieron que enfrentar.
Es una obra pequeña en la cual se describe el exclusivo episodio de la Entrada del Caballo de Troya a la ciudad amurallada y las consecuencias que tuvo para los troyanos.
Basado fundamentalmente en las leyendas homericas y en algunas partes en otras leyendas tardías nos cuenta cómo si fuera un anexo a la Iliada las peripecias de los soldados que estuvieron en el vientre del caballo pasando por la creación del caballo, y el apoyo que brindaron sobre todo Hera, Atenea y Poseidón.
Fue de mi agrado porque aunque bastante corto cuenta la preparación de la toma de Troya a cargo de Odiseo, Diomedes, Neoptolemos y otros héroes griegos y de los enemigos que tuvieron que enfrentar.
September 16, 2023
The mysterious author achieved precisely what was desired. A long and obscure oracle from the mouth of a mad prophetess. Challenging but rewarding read.
In requital for the sin of one man, all Greece
shall mourn the empty tombs of ten thousand of its children
not placed upon the rocks which are their real coffins,
nor containing the last ashes from their pyres,
buried in funeral urns, as is the due for mortal men,
but as pitiful names and inscriptions on cenotaphs
washed by the warm tears of their parents
and children, and the lamentations of their wives.
In requital for the sin of one man, all Greece
shall mourn the empty tombs of ten thousand of its children
not placed upon the rocks which are their real coffins,
nor containing the last ashes from their pyres,
buried in funeral urns, as is the due for mortal men,
but as pitiful names and inscriptions on cenotaphs
washed by the warm tears of their parents
and children, and the lamentations of their wives.
January 23, 2025
10/10 "obscure, strange and repulsive" rings true. would read again, in fact, will read again.
December 3, 2023
eu também falo pra caralho quando sei das coisas (te amo Cassandra de Tróia, você será lembrada!
April 14, 2023
8/10
Quite remarkable (in my limited view of Greek myth/history) as a very revisionist contemporary takedown of said myth/history’s appalling treatment of female figures. Granted the non-Classicist (Such as me) needs Hornblower's extensive footnotes to try and maintain the semblance of a grasp on the appropriate social and histocal context, but then there will be an absolutely blistering passage of quivering power (Kassandra's prediction of her own death for one), which will jolt me in a way you'd hardly think possible for a poem from the 3rd Century BCE.
Quite remarkable (in my limited view of Greek myth/history) as a very revisionist contemporary takedown of said myth/history’s appalling treatment of female figures. Granted the non-Classicist (Such as me) needs Hornblower's extensive footnotes to try and maintain the semblance of a grasp on the appropriate social and histocal context, but then there will be an absolutely blistering passage of quivering power (Kassandra's prediction of her own death for one), which will jolt me in a way you'd hardly think possible for a poem from the 3rd Century BCE.
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July 22, 2023This work is worth it for the sole section describing Agamemnon’s murder from Kassandra’s perspective… The way she describes how Clytemnestra delivered a hit against her back, killing her even though she was clearly a victim of her husband’s hubris - raw and heartbreaking.
July 10, 2025
Intrincado monólogo
Uma das histórias mais interessantes da Antiguidade Clássica é a famosa queda de Tróia, e este obscuro poema do poeta alexandrino Lícofron aborda os acontecimentos da guerra do ponto de vista de Cassandra, filha do rei Príamo, que tida como louca profetiza em vão acerca da destruição da cidade.
O poema se inicia com o guarda de Cassandra, no texto Alexandra, se apresentando ao rei para relatar as profecias que dela ouvira. A partir do momento em que acompanhamos a narração de Cassandra o poema se transforma em um longo monólogo, repleto de digressões que podem desorientar bastante o leitor que não tiver conhecimento dos mitos mencionados. Os neologismos são abundantes nos versos de Lícofron e Trajano Vieira parece ter mantido bem essa excentricidade linguística na tradução para o português, o poema é quase incompreensível em diversos momentos. As notas de texto foram a tábua de salvação, impedindo que o livro se tornasse um enigma completo.
Embora considere louvável o trabalho do tradutor e a preocupação com a métrica, penso que o poema seria mais palatável se fosse traduzido em versos livres, a tradução de um trecho do poema feita por Haroldo de Campos em versos livres, presente na Apresentação do livro, flui muito melhor do que o estilo rebuscado de Trajano. No entanto, não posso afirmar que o livro é difícil devido a tradução pois Alexandra é considerado um poema complexo por vários estudiosos mundo afora. No fim das contas, foi uma leitura que valeu a pena persistir mas que não desejo repetir.
Uma das histórias mais interessantes da Antiguidade Clássica é a famosa queda de Tróia, e este obscuro poema do poeta alexandrino Lícofron aborda os acontecimentos da guerra do ponto de vista de Cassandra, filha do rei Príamo, que tida como louca profetiza em vão acerca da destruição da cidade.
O poema se inicia com o guarda de Cassandra, no texto Alexandra, se apresentando ao rei para relatar as profecias que dela ouvira. A partir do momento em que acompanhamos a narração de Cassandra o poema se transforma em um longo monólogo, repleto de digressões que podem desorientar bastante o leitor que não tiver conhecimento dos mitos mencionados. Os neologismos são abundantes nos versos de Lícofron e Trajano Vieira parece ter mantido bem essa excentricidade linguística na tradução para o português, o poema é quase incompreensível em diversos momentos. As notas de texto foram a tábua de salvação, impedindo que o livro se tornasse um enigma completo.
Embora considere louvável o trabalho do tradutor e a preocupação com a métrica, penso que o poema seria mais palatável se fosse traduzido em versos livres, a tradução de um trecho do poema feita por Haroldo de Campos em versos livres, presente na Apresentação do livro, flui muito melhor do que o estilo rebuscado de Trajano. No entanto, não posso afirmar que o livro é difícil devido a tradução pois Alexandra é considerado um poema complexo por vários estudiosos mundo afora. No fim das contas, foi uma leitura que valeu a pena persistir mas que não desejo repetir.
March 4, 2026
(4 March, 2026)
Great and tedious. Kassandra's account of what she sees is truly fantastic, but without the very necessary notes, it's a lot to take in. Variant myths of more established versions are always a joy to read, if somewhat disconcerting sometimes, here Lykophron goes nuts!
Kassandra's hatred of everything Greek is an almost tangible thing, she truly despises them. She's not super consistent (exempli gratia she loathes Achilles' martial prowess but Hektor is praised for his) but it's understandable and not an obstacle to enjoying this.
I recognise maybe a third of all the allusions, thank goodness for Hornblower's notes, they are super clear. The constant back and forth from poem to notes is a giant pain in the ass but the references contained in 'The Alexandra' are often too obscure to reconcile with known deities and heroes (speaking as a fan of Greek myths these last forty years, but still far from a scholar).
As for Hornblower's assertion that this is a 'proto-feminist' work, I disagree. Having Kassandra decry brutality towards women is weird when Lykophron never has her mention the ultimate cause of the Trojan War: three goddesses running to Paris for his worthless judgement of who is the hottest babe. Kassandra is much too smart to fall for a weak double standard.
Great and tedious. Kassandra's account of what she sees is truly fantastic, but without the very necessary notes, it's a lot to take in. Variant myths of more established versions are always a joy to read, if somewhat disconcerting sometimes, here Lykophron goes nuts!
Kassandra's hatred of everything Greek is an almost tangible thing, she truly despises them. She's not super consistent (exempli gratia she loathes Achilles' martial prowess but Hektor is praised for his) but it's understandable and not an obstacle to enjoying this.
I recognise maybe a third of all the allusions, thank goodness for Hornblower's notes, they are super clear. The constant back and forth from poem to notes is a giant pain in the ass but the references contained in 'The Alexandra' are often too obscure to reconcile with known deities and heroes (speaking as a fan of Greek myths these last forty years, but still far from a scholar).
As for Hornblower's assertion that this is a 'proto-feminist' work, I disagree. Having Kassandra decry brutality towards women is weird when Lykophron never has her mention the ultimate cause of the Trojan War: three goddesses running to Paris for his worthless judgement of who is the hottest babe. Kassandra is much too smart to fall for a weak double standard.
June 16, 2025
Tres textos que tienen en común los mitos asociados a Troya. El que corresponde a Licofrón es, ciertamente, el más enrevesado y solo puede leerse a través de la paráfrasis que lo acompaña, pero tiene pasajes de una altísima penetración psicológica, además de ser una de los primeros ejercicios hechos por un autor de oscurecer adrede su propia obra. Los epilios de Trifiodoro y Coluto, por su parte, son más cortos y de mayor transparencia; tienen a su haber el seguir con la tradición homérica y de aleccionar sobre muchos pormenores mitológicos.
July 6, 2020
Un muy buen libro para complementar algunos cabos sueltos que quedan al leer la Ilíada.
Los tres poemas son entretenidos y aportan mucha información interesante, no queda más que agradecer el maravilloso trabajo realizado en la traducción y las notas explicativas por parte de la gente de la Editorial Gredos, especialmente al trabajo realizado en el primer poema, la capacidad de interpretación por parte de los filólogos es sorprendente.
Los tres poemas son entretenidos y aportan mucha información interesante, no queda más que agradecer el maravilloso trabajo realizado en la traducción y las notas explicativas por parte de la gente de la Editorial Gredos, especialmente al trabajo realizado en el primer poema, la capacidad de interpretación por parte de los filólogos es sorprendente.
October 13, 2020
Dense. Spent most of my time fumbling through the footnotes. And yet, for all its arcane references, it's bewitching. I feel like I stumbled on a secret text that holds a key to all the essential mysteries—if only I could discern it!
May 22, 2022
3,5 estrelas
July 24, 2024
Obra oscura, inentendible si no fuese por lo trabajada que está en la edición en castellano de Gredos, con una reescritura y con 982 notas para 23 páginas.
December 30, 2025
Who would I recommend this book to: those who have read or know the plot of "Iliad" and "Odyssey", and perhaps "Aenid", plus have some knowledge of Ancient Greek mythology; who are interested in Kassandra's story (under her Spartan name, Alexandra, here); and who would like some more of this type of stuff.
I groan, I groan for you, twice and three times,
you who see battle once again, and the plundering of houses,
and behold destructive fire.
(on Troy - this future destruction is not its first)
Ascribed to an early 3rd century BC tragedian, but more likely an (anonymous man's) work from around 190 BC, written for the South Italian Greek immigrants with pro-Roman opinion, this is a masterpiece poem with Kassandra's prophecy, delivered before Troy's destruction, with future hope in Rome's successes. A nameless guard delivers it to her father, king Priam (hoping in the end for a better outcome). As some will know, her prophecies
The poem itself is only 54 pages here, but at least the first time you might find it's not a quick read, due to needing to read the footnotes. Lots of people, lots of gods with nicknames, and the plot goes back and forth in time (good thing we have guidance to different scenes within the poem). At the beginning is the (spoilery) introduction and map of the places mentioned, and at the end is a useful synopsis of the poem, and helpful explanatory notes. (The translator says that ancient commentary for the poem, including Byzantine, has been very helpful.)
Some plots are different from what is written in Homer or elsewhere: like, the end of "Odyssey" is different here, and Odysseus and Penelope too. We learn much about Greek and Trojan colonies west of Greece (Italy, Malta, and some Spain, mostly). Achilles is, of course, seen differently because of the teller (at least), and the fate of Greek army returning from Troy is told with some 'revenge is sweet' attitude (Kassandra's treatment during the fall of Troy and after one reason why the disastrous fates happen). Women's suffering is brought up a lot, part of the reason why the translator calls this poem proto-feminist. The author is certainly well-read, using sources that exist now whole, partly, or not at all.
It was interesting a book to read, though I think rereads will be even better since I perhaps won't have to keep my finger on the page-end footnotes then :) This was a clear, well-written poem, and brought interesting opinons up; well worth it.
I groan, I groan for you, twice and three times,
you who see battle once again, and the plundering of houses,
and behold destructive fire.
(on Troy - this future destruction is not its first)
Ascribed to an early 3rd century BC tragedian, but more likely an (anonymous man's) work from around 190 BC, written for the South Italian Greek immigrants with pro-Roman opinion, this is a masterpiece poem with Kassandra's prophecy, delivered before Troy's destruction, with future hope in Rome's successes. A nameless guard delivers it to her father, king Priam (hoping in the end for a better outcome). As some will know, her prophecies
The poem itself is only 54 pages here, but at least the first time you might find it's not a quick read, due to needing to read the footnotes. Lots of people, lots of gods with nicknames, and the plot goes back and forth in time (good thing we have guidance to different scenes within the poem). At the beginning is the (spoilery) introduction and map of the places mentioned, and at the end is a useful synopsis of the poem, and helpful explanatory notes. (The translator says that ancient commentary for the poem, including Byzantine, has been very helpful.)
Some plots are different from what is written in Homer or elsewhere: like, the end of "Odyssey" is different here, and Odysseus and Penelope too. We learn much about Greek and Trojan colonies west of Greece (Italy, Malta, and some Spain, mostly). Achilles is, of course, seen differently because of the teller (at least), and the fate of Greek army returning from Troy is told with some 'revenge is sweet' attitude (Kassandra's treatment during the fall of Troy and after one reason why the disastrous fates happen). Women's suffering is brought up a lot, part of the reason why the translator calls this poem proto-feminist. The author is certainly well-read, using sources that exist now whole, partly, or not at all.
It was interesting a book to read, though I think rereads will be even better since I perhaps won't have to keep my finger on the page-end footnotes then :) This was a clear, well-written poem, and brought interesting opinons up; well worth it.
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April 11, 2022ascribed to a third-century BCE tragedian, but was probably written c.196-190 BCE? (after war of 197/6)
It consists of a prophecy uttered by Cassandra and relates the later fortunes of Troy and of the Greek and Trojan heroes. References to events of mythical and later times are introduced, and the poem ends with a reference to Alexander the Great, who was to unite Asia and Europe in his world-wide empire.[3]
The style obtained for the poem's author, even among the ancients, the title of "obscure"; one modern scholar says the Alexandra "may be the most illegible piece of classical literature, one which nobody can read without a proper commentary and which even then makes very difficult reading."[5] The poem is evidently intended to display the writer's knowledge of obscure names and uncommon myths; it is full of unusual words of doubtful meaning gathered from the older poets, and long-winded compounds coined by the author. It was probably written as a show-piece for the Alexandrian school, rather than as straight poetry. It was very popular in the Byzantine period, and was read and commented on very frequently
It consists of a prophecy uttered by Cassandra and relates the later fortunes of Troy and of the Greek and Trojan heroes. References to events of mythical and later times are introduced, and the poem ends with a reference to Alexander the Great, who was to unite Asia and Europe in his world-wide empire.[3]
The style obtained for the poem's author, even among the ancients, the title of "obscure"; one modern scholar says the Alexandra "may be the most illegible piece of classical literature, one which nobody can read without a proper commentary and which even then makes very difficult reading."[5] The poem is evidently intended to display the writer's knowledge of obscure names and uncommon myths; it is full of unusual words of doubtful meaning gathered from the older poets, and long-winded compounds coined by the author. It was probably written as a show-piece for the Alexandrian school, rather than as straight poetry. It was very popular in the Byzantine period, and was read and commented on very frequently
October 11, 2024
Mythologically speaking, before Troy was attacked, Kassandra was famously ignored after she prophesied its downfall at the hands of the Greeks. This is that prophecy, relayed to Priam, her father, by a guardsman. It was written before the Aeneid but after the Iliad and the Odyssey. Kudos to you OWC, Mssr. Hornblower.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2023
Pungente, com dimensão profética. Genial!
February 25, 2023
a great edition of a complex and extraordinarily esoteric poem. full of wonderful and helpful footnotes and endnotes.
May 19, 2023
u kno ur in 4 a banger when the pagecount for the explanatory notes exceeds that of the main text
July 25, 2024
Alexandra é oficialmente o texto mais confuso que já li.
Hornblower faz um trabalho incrível tanto na tradução quanto nas notas.
Hornblower faz um trabalho incrível tanto na tradução quanto nas notas.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews