The underlying logic of sacrifice was always the same: In order to gain the god’s goodwill, destroy what you value most.

As you set out on your journey to Ithaca,pray that your journey be a long one,filled with adventure, filled with discovery.Laestrygonians and Cyclopes,the angry Poseidon–do not fear them:you’ll never find such things on your wayunless...

Tragedy allowed the audience to experience intense, sometimes disturbing emotions that could not be experienced in real life without terrible cost.