Seneca's Medea and Republican Spain: Performing the Nation

This book provides the most detailed reconstruction of Seneca's Medea, a triumph of republican culture and funded by the government. It became a cultural ritual that stood at the center of critical discussions on national identity, politics, secularism, women's rights, and new European aesthetics of theatre-making.

Format: Hardback
Length: 324 pages
Publication date: 18 February 2022
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

Winner of the 2019-20 AHGBI-Spanish Embassy Publication Prize


On June 18, 1933, a momentous event occurred in the annals of Spanish theatrical history, captivating a audience of 3,000 spectators amidst the ruins of the Roman Theatre in Mérida. This historic occasion was brought to life through the translation of Seneca's Medea into Spanish by philosopher Miguel de Unamuno, directed by the renowned Xirgu-Borràs Company, and funded by the government. The performance, hailed as a triumph of republican culture, showcased innovative dramatic and scenic languages.


In this comprehensive book, the most detailed reconstruction of this pivotal production to date is presented, contextualizing it and delving into its origins and enduring legacy. Early twentieth-century intellectuals regarded Seneca, the philosopher hailing from Córdoba, as the epitome of Spanishness and the first in a distinguished lineage of playwrights that spanned from Spain's Roman Antiquity to its Silver Age. His play, seen as the perfect platform to highlight the cultural, social, and educational aspirations of the Second Spanish Republic, elicited a passionate response from those opposed to the government's progressive agenda.


Through meticulous archival research and the inclusion of rare and previously unpublished photographs, this book offers a captivating glimpse into the world of theatre history. It will appeal to theatre historians, scholars of Classical Reception, and historians of the Second Spanish Republic, who will be captivated by the rich tapestry of insights it provides.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781855663565