Abstract

The following paper takes up an old question about the correct identification of the person that is mentioned or addressed in the first line of a short fragment from Aeschylus’ Phrygians. It is argued that the person is indeed Andromache, as the ancient authorities attest, and not Briseis, as some modern authors have claimed. However, the fragment continues a tendency to bring Andromache and Briseis in close connection with each other, that started already with Homer and his epic forerunners. Aeschylus, therefore, locates Andromache at Lyrnessos, the traditional place of Briseis, because he, too, wants to bring the two heroines in close connection and he therewith gives a hint to the parallel fates their husbands or lovers, Hektor and Achilles, will be exposed to.