Amphiaraos and the Satyrs-Prophets

The Riddles of Sophocles’ Lost Amphiaraos

Abstract

Sophocles’ now lost Amphiaraos (fragm. 113-21 R.) is one of his most tantalizing and enigmatic satyr plays. It raises many different questions, some of which still remain unresolved or undiscussed in detail, such as the bizarre combination of the noble seer Amphiaraos and Silenus’ playful sons in the same dramatic action, or the probable existence of two versions of this drama, implied by the mention of an ‘other Amphiaraos’ in two of the sources quoting lines from this play. Some of the surviving fragments offer further interesting exegetical possibilities and deserve closer analysis: for example, the fragment 113 R. is key evidence for the particular role of the Satyrs in the drama, and may contain a self-description of the Chorus. This paper offers an up-to-date overview of Sophocles’ Amphiaraos, discussing all the available evidence and suggesting new exegetical proposals.