Artémire (tragedy)

Artémire is a five-act tragedy by Voltaire, first performed in 1748 at the Comédie-Française. The play is based on Plutarch's account of the life of Artémise (Artemisia II of Caria), a queen known for her grief and subsequent devotion to her late husband, Mausolus.

The tragedy centers on Artémire, the widowed queen, torn between her duty to her kingdom and her lingering love for her deceased husband. Political intrigue surrounds her as various suitors vie for her hand and the throne. The plot explores themes of love, duty, ambition, and grief, characteristic of Voltaire's neoclassical tragedies.

The play's historical context is significant, reflecting Enlightenment ideals and the prevailing dramatic conventions of the 18th century. Voltaire uses the historical figure of Artémise to explore universal themes of power, passion, and morality. Though initially successful, Artémire did not achieve the enduring popularity of some of Voltaire's other dramatic works like Zaïre or Mérope.