The Birth of Tragedy; or, Hellenism and Pessimism

How it begins

CONTENTS. BIOGRAPHICAL INTRODUCTION AN ATTEMPT AT SELF-CRITICISM FOREWORD TO RICHARD WAGNER THE BIRTH OF TRAGEDY Frederick Nietzsche was born at Röcken near Lützen, in the Prussian province of Saxony, on the 15th of October 1844, at 10 a.m. The day happened to be the anniversary of the birth of Frederick-William IV., then King of Prussia, and the peal of the local church-bells which was intended to celebrate this event, was, by a happy coincidence, just timed to greet my brother on his entrance into the world.