The Andromache has long been disparaged despite being a brilliant piece of theatre. In this book Dr Allan draws attention to the neglected artistry of this very impressive and intriguing text. Through careful analysis the Andromache emerges as a play that poses fundamental questions, especially about the polarity of Greek and barbarian, and the morality of the gods. Dr Allan shows how the play also challenges revenge as a motive for action, and explores the role of women as wives, mothers, and victims of war, be they Greek or Trojan, victorious or defeated. These are among the central concerns that make the Andromache a moving and thought-provoking tragedy, full of suffering, suspense, and moral interest. This book contributes both to an appreciation of the Andromache in its own right, and to a wider understanding of the variety and quality of Euripides' œuvre.

Overall, the book provides a persuasive and powerful critique of Andromache and should be essential reading for scholars and students of Greek tragedy. It also provides food for thought for those interested in other areas such as the rise of rhetoric in Athens and the manipulation of mythology, and thus deserves to reach a wide audience. * Hermathena *
Allan's style is fluent and engaging, and he combines a thorough understanding of classical scholarship with a wide perspective on relevant material from outside the discipline. * Hermathena *
... a thorough analysis of the play from a wide range of perspectives. * Hermathena *
This is a humane and unostentatiously subtle book. * Greece & Rome *
Allan's study will be a vital resource for those who approach the play in the future, and makes significant contributions to our understanding of Euripides' dramatic art. * New England Classical Journal *
Allan's book is unique ... [it] takes the reader on a journey across the contemporary terrain of scholarship concerning the most important and debated aspects of Athenian tragedy ... [A] well-produced, carefully written, jargon free, learned, wide-ranging, and provocative book. * Classical Bulletin *
... lucid, composed, and scholarly ... a stimulating study. * The Classical Review *
Allan constructs a sophisticated, interlocking, and convincing argument. * The Classical Review *