The original work of this title (Heauton Timoroumenos) was a play written in the fourth century BC by the Athenian poet, Menander. This has not survived but the Roman playwright, Terence, produced an adapted version, which has survived, in 163 BC. The topic has inspired other more modern writers besides Baudelaire. For example, Robert Bridges' drama "The Feast of Bacchus" is partly based on the work.

HTH

Giles

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2373 days (2007-03-19 07:33:26 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

For Michael:

Εαυτόν τιμωρούμενος

Note that this is written using the monotonic (single-accent) system introduced in Greece in 1982.

In the traditional "polytonic" (multiple-accent) system, there would be a rough breathing (reversed apostrophe) in front to the E in the first word, the accent over the o would be grave and the accent over the u in the second word would be circumflex.

HTH,

Giles

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2373 days (2007-03-19 15:16:13 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

That should be "in front of the E in the first word", of course.