The book contains poems by the late ancient author Emilius Blossius Dracontius translated into Russian for the first time. In a large introductory article by V.N. Yarkho shows the place of Dracontius in the history of European culture. The appendix examines dramatic interpretations of the myth of Orestes and Electra in the 18th–20th centuries. Contents: V.N. Yarho. Ancient myth on the threshold of the Middle Ages: poems of Dracontius 51. What do we know about Drakoschiy and his work 62. Early poems 113. “Medea” 184. “The Abduction of Helen” 265. “The Tragedy of Orestes” 336. Style of later poems 457. Interpretation of the myth 508. Manuscript Tradition of Dracontius 54