Hackett Publishing

This rollicking new translation of Aristophanes' comic masterpiece is rendered in blank verse for dialogue and in lyric meters and free verse for the songs. Appended commentary essays—on Athenian democracy, ancient Greek warfare, Athenian women, and Greek Comedy—offer lively and informative discussions not only of Aristophanes, but of the broader fifth-century social, political, and cultural context as well.

"A perfect Lysistrata for the new millennium: rich apparatus and a sparkling, metrical, accurate translation of this inexhaustible treasure of a play."  
     —Rachel Hadas, Rutgers University

"Presents a readable, clear translation with the assistance students will need to understand this play and the society that produced it. . . . A worthy addition to Hackett's growing series of translations of classical literature in accessible editions."
     —Anne Mahoney, New England Classical Journal

Poet and classicist Sarah Ruden received her Ph.D. in Classics from Harvard University.

To download the first 10 pages of the play, plus Commentary 1: Athenian Democracy, please click on the "Sample Chapter Downloads" link in the menu bar to the left.