Crimea. Mythological 2(a)
When I say "Iphigénia", for most French speakers this title will probably evoke Racine, while for our German friends it will perhaps be Goethe... Or Gluck... (I am afraid that in 21st century Europe, the vast majority of our fellow citizens - French-speaking in any case - are surely wondering at this moment "but, who is this Gluck?")...
The subject has inspired a lot, including among contemporary playwrights...
There are two parts to the story of Iphigenia. Although the first part takes place within the framework of the Iliad, it is not to Homer, but to Euripides that we owe its exposition as a tragedy. Do you know the Iliad? This coalition of civilized kingdoms to settle scores with the bad guy who was secretly developing weapons of mass destruction... Sorry, I'm confusing... with the evil king whose son allegedly "kidnapped" the wife of the brother of one of their own... It's more romantic, obviously, but not really more credible. On the scale of Ancient Greece, it's a world war over a story of... buttocks... Do you believe it?...
But back to our story. Menelaus (the cuckold), having entrusted the leadership of the coalition army to his brother Agamemnon. He arranges to meet everyone in Aulis, where, to kill time, he devotes himself to hunting. And bam. Didn't he kill a deer dedicated to Artemis!
As there is no longer the slightest breath of wind, the great army is stranded... and the high priest of the goddess in question smells the "good move". He comes to our heroes, to explain to them that having caused "the blood of Artemis to flow", the gods will only be appeased if Agamemnon causes his own blood to flow by offering his daughter as a sacrifice to the goddess (Seems the high priest was some kind of a pervert).
I will spare you the details, the cowardice of the great hero when it comes to hiding from Clytemnestra (his dear and tender) the reason why he is bringing their daughter to Aulis, the attempts at interposition by Achilles, and the unbearable suspense until the final outcome. Whether by negotiations, exfiltration, or by "deus ex machina" (the authors do not agree on this point), the fact remains that Iphigenia finds herself entrusted to the good care of the king... Thoas (*) . King of Tauride (=Crimea, for those who don't follow...), who was there to lend a helping hand to the allies as required.
King Thoas who, although not very comfortable with the idea of being in charge of this woman removed from the sacrifice to Artemis, as a knowledgeable diplomat, to ensure the good graces of both men and gods , decided to consecrate Iphegenia high priestess of the temple of Artemis, in Tauride. Therefore entrusting her with the task of sacrificing to the goddess, as tradition dictated, any foreigner who would approach her shores.
That's it for the part one... Iphigenia is now in Tauride...
(To be continued...)
(*) See our note: Crimea. Mythological 1 from December 10, 2023
Other Intercultural Notes...
"Si vis pacem..." the article, some kind of manifesto of our association.
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