The Greek Fleet and Iphigenia

Artemis

This thread traces Artemis’s escalation against Agamemnon and her eventual choice to spare Iphigenia.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Sacred Stag The Sacred Stag from "Artemis". An Offense Against the Huntress A Report from Callisto Callisto tells Artemis that Agamemnon killed a stag in a sacred grove and tried to conceal the act.

The Sacred Stag from "Artemis". An Offense Against the Huntress A Report from Callisto Callisto tells Artemis that Agamemnon killed a stag in a sacred grove and tried to conceal the act.

An Offense Against the Huntress A Report from Callisto Callisto tells Artemis that Agamemnon killed a stag in a sacred grove and tried to conceal the act. The offense joins an individual act of violence to a wider military campaign. Artemis’s Anger Artemis interprets the killing as a violation of her domain. She decides that the fleet will not reach Troy without answering for it.

Winds Against the Fleet Winds Against the Fleet from "Artemis". A Divine Blockade The Choir’s Song Artemis calls on her Oceanid choir to bring disorder to the winds and seas.

Winds Against the Fleet from "Artemis". A Divine Blockade The Choir’s Song Artemis calls on her Oceanid choir to bring disorder to the winds and seas.

A Divine Blockade The Choir’s Song Artemis calls on her Oceanid choir to bring disorder to the winds and seas. The fleet’s journey becomes a confrontation between military purpose and divine authority. A Demand for Payment She requires Agamemnon to sacrifice his eldest daughter, Iphigenia. The response to a dead stag threatens an innocent life and tests the limits of vengeance.

Agamemnon’s Decision Agamemnon’s Decision from "Artemis". A King Under Pressure Menelaus’s Appeal Menelaus reminds Agamemnon of his oath to lead the Greek campaign against Troy.

Agamemnon’s Decision from "Artemis". A King Under Pressure Menelaus’s Appeal Menelaus reminds Agamemnon of his oath to lead the Greek campaign against Troy.

A King Under Pressure Menelaus’s Appeal Menelaus reminds Agamemnon of his oath to lead the Greek campaign against Troy. The stalled fleet puts his leadership and alliance at risk. The Sacrifice Ordered Agamemnon finally agrees to send for Iphigenia despite his grief. Artemis’s demand has forced a political choice whose cost will fall on a daughter.

Iphigenia at the Altar Iphigenia at the Altar from "Artemis". A Daughter Faces Death The Family’s Grief Clytemnestra leads Iphigenia toward the altar while the girl accepts the fate her father has arranged.

Iphigenia at the Altar from "Artemis". A Daughter Faces Death The Family’s Grief Clytemnestra leads Iphigenia toward the altar while the girl accepts the fate her father has arranged.

A Daughter Faces Death The Family’s Grief Clytemnestra leads Iphigenia toward the altar while the girl accepts the fate her father has arranged. The scene makes the human cost of the fleet’s passage immediate. Callisto’s Plea Callisto reminds Artemis that Iphigenia is not responsible for Agamemnon’s offense. Her compassion interrupts the logic of retaliation at the decisive moment.

The Rescue and Release The Rescue and Release from "Artemis". Vengeance Reconsidered Artemis Intervenes Artemis knocks the sacrificial blade away and removes Iphigenia from the altar.

The Rescue and Release from "Artemis". Vengeance Reconsidered Artemis Intervenes Artemis knocks the sacrificial blade away and removes Iphigenia from the altar.

Vengeance Reconsidered Artemis Intervenes Artemis knocks the sacrificial blade away and removes Iphigenia from the altar. She chooses the girl’s courage as sufficient proof of her worth. A Different Settlement Iphigenia is sent to Tauris to serve as a priestess, while Artemis lets the fleet sail. Mercy replaces the demanded death, though it still separates the daughter from her former life.

During the Trojan War

After Artemis receives Callisto’s report

While the fleet is trapped at sea

At Aulis, before the sacrifice

At the moment the priest raises the knife