Hackett's marketing team recently had the opportunity to work with Diane Arnson Svarlien to talk her new Hackett book of verse translations, Lysistrata, Women at the Thesmophoria, Frogs. Keep scrolling to learn more about each of these three iconic plays, originally conceived by the renowned Greek playwright Aristophanes.

Special thanks to David Arnson and the Insect Surfers for allowing us to use their music in these videos.

Video #1: Exploring Lysistrata

Diane Arnson Svarlien shares what makes Aristophanes' Lysistrata such a fascinating play, and why her translation elevates the reading experience.

Video #2: Exploring Women at the Thesmophoria (Thesmo)

Diane Arnson Svarlien talks about the least-well known play in her recent collection, Women at the Thesmophoria and shares its historical context. She also hints at some fun cameos from other iconic figures in Ancient Greek history.

Video #3: Exploring Frogs

Diane Arnson Svarlien gives a lightning quick rundown of what you can expect to see in Frogs, the final play in her collection of translations.

About Lysistrata, Women at the Thesmophoria, Frogs:

"Arnson Svarlien's translation offers fresh insight into three of Aristophanes's greatest comedies. The verse flows smoothly, and throughout it is stressed that these plays belong on a stage, with guidance on how that might be accomplished. At the same time, the detailed Introduction and interpretative notes on every page show that both Arnson Svarlien and Storey are deeply committed to presenting a vibrant, modern Aristophanes, and to giving the tools needed for readers and actors to form their own opinions on matters of ongoing scholarly controversy."

—C.W. Marshall, FRSC, Professor of Greek, The University of British Columbia

About Diane Arnson Svarlien:

Diane Arnson Svarlien earned her PhD in Classics at The University of Texas at Austin and lives in Lexington, Kentucky.