Rhesus by Euripides — Read

Of unknown date, the play Rhesus takes place during the Trojan War, on the night when Odysseus and Diomedes steal into the Trojan camp, as previously recounted in Book 10 of Homer's Iliad. There has been much debate about the genuine authorship of this tragedy, which was originally understood to be by Euripides in the Hellenistic, Imperial and Byzantine periods, but by the seventeenth century the play's authenticity was challenged largely on stylistic grounds. However, modern scholars now agree with the classical authorities, ascribing the play to Euripides.

The play opens in the middle of the night, as Trojan guards discern suspicious activity from the Greek camp. They promptly inform Hector, who almost issues a general call to arms before Aeneas makes him see how ill-advised this would be. Aeneas argues that they should send someone to spy on the Greek camp and see what the enemy is doing. Dolon volunteers to spy on the Greeks in exchange for Achilles' horses when the war is won. Hector accepts the arrangement and sends him out. Dolon leaves wearing the skin of a wolf, and plans to deceive the Greeks by walking on all fours.