Euripides vs Hippolytus: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Alcestis, Hippolytus, Great_books_of_the_western_world, Greek drama, Greek Mythology, Drama

Euripides Euripides · 1597 ★★★★☆ 3.9 451 pages · ≈ 8 h 21 m · Demanding

In nine paperback volumes, the Grene and Lattimore editions offer the most comprehensive selection of the Greek tragedies available in English. Over the years these authoritative, critically acclaimed editions have been…

Bacchantes Pentheus Rhesus Euripides

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Hippolytus Euripides · 1756 ★★★★☆ 3.8 168 pages · ≈ 3 h 07 m · Demanding

Euripides wrote two plays called Hippolytus. In this, the second, he dramatized the tragic failure of perfection. This translation comes in two forms; the first presents a simulacrum of the text as it might have…

1 film adaptation

Medea Ancient Greek language materials Education

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Side by side

The verdict

Ratings are close across the board — any is a safe pick by score.
Hippolytus is the quickest read — about 3 hours vs 8 for Euripides.
Hippolytus has the widest readership — 7273 ratings behind its score.
Hippolytus runs the darker storyline; Euripides stays the lighter read.

Euripides: Check price →Hippolytus: Check price →

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How to choose

Want a one-evening read? Hippolytus ≈ 3h vs 8h for Euripides In the mood for something dark? Hippolytus a darker storyline than Euripides Want something lighter? Euripides an easier tone than Hippolytus

Scores by source

	Euripides	Hippolytus
Goodreads	—	3.8 (7273)
Hardcover	4.4 (5)	4.0 (1)
Apple Books	—	4.5 (10)
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Reception

	Euripides	Hippolytus
Ratings	5	7273
Editions	70	105
Film adaptations	1	1
Want to read	—	4803
Reading it now	—	77
Written reviews	—	503
Wikipedia attention	34590	2431
Pages	451	168
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Questions readers ask

Which is rated higher: Euripides or Hippolytus?

Euripides has the higher combined reader rating across sources (Euripides 3.9/5, Hippolytus 3.8/5).

Which is shorter to read: Euripides or Hippolytus?

Hippolytus is the quickest read. Estimated at 225 words per minute: Hippolytus (168 pages, ≈ 3 h 07 m); Euripides (451 pages, ≈ 8 h 21 m).

Which is harder to read: Euripides or Hippolytus?

Estimated difficulty, based on era, reader shelves and length — Euripides: Demanding; Hippolytus: Demanding.

Have both books been made into films?

Euripides: no film adaptation on record; Hippolytus: 1 film adaptation.