The volume under review, which is the sequel to Sophocles: Selected Fragmentary Plays I (by S., D. Fitzpatrick and T. [2006], reviewed by M.H. Shaw, CR 58 [2008], 11–12 and J. Gibert, ExClass 12 [2008], 1–8), is a significant addition to the Aris & Phillips Classical Texts Series.
S. has again acted as general editor, and is solely responsible for the general introduction (an abridged, adapted and updated version of the corresponding section of vol. 1) and the sections on the Epigoni, Palamedes, the Nauplius plays and The Shepherds. The sections on Oenomaus and Triptolemus were drafted by T. and then edited and revised by S.
S.'s fine general introduction may serve as a useful and concise guide to the methodological problems in reconstructing the plots of the fragmentary plays on the basis of all evidence available.
The edition shares the same basic format as its predecessor. For each play or group of plays a bibliographical section on ‘Texts and Testimonia’, ‘Myth’, ‘Artistic Evidence’ and ‘Main Discussions’ precedes the introduction. Each play is introduced by thorough discussions of issues such as the myth and its dramatic treatment, the date of composition, the setting of the action and the provisional reconstruction of the plot or of special problems as tragic or satyric status, alternate titles or trilogic connections. Considerable attention is paid to the careful study of all available testimonia, Greek or Latin, translated into English. In many cases S. and T., on the basis of the information acquired from the sources, provide a tentative reconstruction of the complete structural outline of the plays (pp. 51–2 Epigoni or Eriphyle, pp. 92–3 Oenomaus, pp. 182–3 Poimenes).
Then comes the Greek text with a critical apparatus and a facing translation with brief notes on the identity of the speakers or their addressees, and the context of each fragment. The fragments are presented in the sequence in which S. and T. believe them to have occurred in the play, and they are designated by letters of the alphabet in sequence according to the editors' system and with their TrGF numbers (p. 13). The critical apparatus is short and simplified. Bearing in mind the fragmentary nature of the material and the lack of context, the translations are accurate and as readable as one could reasonably expect. The text is followed by a detailed and informed commentary keyed to the translation that offers a comprehensive examination of all important issues, as well as displaying S. and T.'s expertise on a wide range of material. Moreover, all Greek and Latin sources are quoted in translation, with the non-Greek/Latin speaking reader in mind. The commentary provides useful discussions of all the issues that are relevant to the contextualisation of each fragment within the plot. For example, in the interpretation of J (201 h) from The Epigoni or Eriphyle (pp. 68–70) S. by acute reasoning from the data available places the fragment in the final confrontation between mother (Eriphyle) and son (Alcmeon).
Reservations may be expressed as regards to the system of references followed by S. and T. (references by author's name alone, or by abbreviations / references by author's name and date / references given in full). This pattern, making it hard for the reader to match or identify the relevant bibliographical reference, seems a little confusing at first, but as the volume unfolds this system becomes quite effective.
The reader is also provided with addenda to the previous volume, as well as a detailed and helpful index to both volumes, which includes a vast amount of material. However, I spotted a few omissions in the index: Antiphanes (comic dramatist) 177n., Etymologica 215, Herodotus 215, Little Iliad 215, Nicander 206, Orphica 220n., Photius 205, Quintus of Smyrna 177n., Sack of Troy (Iliou Persis) 215, Stephanus of Byzantium 208, Stobaeus 215, Strabo 202.
The book is nicely printed and I noticed only a few typos (p. 58 N (201c) προσήκοντως instead of προσηκόντως, p. 96 D (475) διά instead of διὰ).
The book has numerous strengths, such as its excellent documentation expressed in clear language, its attentive study of the evidence and helpful footnotes. Indeed, S. and T. offer stimulating approaches to the fragmentary plays engaging constructively with previous scholarship.
There are criticisms to be made. For example, on pp. 232–3 T.'s argumentation does not elucidate clearly enough how the use of the trochaic tetrameter found only in later plays (p. 233) can support the view that Triptolemus was an early play of Sophocles. In addition, T.'s argument in favour of pro-Spartan use of Triptolemus' myth on the basis of a passage from Xenophon's Hellenica (p. 223 n. 28, p. 233) would greatly benefit from the analysis of C. Tuplin, The Failings of Empire: a Reading of Xenophon Hellenica 2.3.11–7.5.27 (1993), pp. 104–13. Absent from this section concerning Triptolemus is C. Dugas' article ‘La mission de Triptolème, d'après l'imagerie athénienne’, in Mélanges d'archéologie et d'histoire 62 (1950), 7–31. To the bibliographical references one may add two articles (in the section concerning Palamedes), J.A. Clúa Serena (‘Palamedeia IV: anotaciones iconográfico-religiosas a la Justizmord o muerte mítica de Palamedes', in E. Calderón Dorda, A. Morales, M. Valverde [edd.], KOINÒS LÓGOS. Homenaje al Profesor José García López [2006], pp. 181–6) and L. Romero Mariscal (‘El prólogo del Palamedes de Eurípides', Lexis 25 [2007], 231–42). Nevertheless, these lapses do not diminish the quality of the book.
This book is a very worthwhile contribution to the study of Sophoclean fragmentary plays and, no doubt, it will be of particular help not only to undergraduate or postgraduate students but to anybody working on ancient drama at whatever level.
