The Birth of Tragedy
The Birth of Tragedy is Friedrich Nietzsche's first complete published philosophical work, issued in German by E. W. Fritzsch in 1872. It reads Greek tragedy as a fusion of Apollonian order and Dionysian frenzy, blames Socratic rationalism for its decline and looks to Wagner for its revival.
- Editions tracked
- 2
- First edition
- E. W. Fritzsch, 1872
- First published
- E. W. Fritzsch, 1872
The first edition of The Birth of Tragedy by Friedrich Nietzsche was published in Leipzig by E. W. Fritzsch in 1872. We track 2 editions.
Which edition do you have?
First edition
Later and other editions
We have not yet researched the issue points for this book. If you know how to tell the first from later printings, tell us and we will credit you once it is checked against a second source.
Awards, adaptations and setting
Read next
- Followed by
- Untimely Meditations
In print
- Editions recorded
- 63 on Open Library, 28 in English
- Wikipedia
- Articles in 35 languages
- Free to read
- Project Gutenberg (out of copyright in the US)
From Wikidata and Open Library, both CC0. A prize or a new adaptation often lifts demand for the first printing.
More by Friedrich Nietzsche
CollectorsNot sure which edition you have, or want to tell other collectors about your copy?
Ask a question
Write a review
Read it or own it? Share what The Birth of Tragedy is like to read or collect.
Know what you are looking at
How to Identify a First Edition
To identify a first edition, check that your copy is the first printing of the first edition. Read the copyright …
Read the guide →6 min readBook Condition Grading: Fine to Poor Explained
Book condition grading uses a six-step trade scale: Fine, Near Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. Collectors grade the …
Read the guide →7 min readDust Jackets Explained: Why the Jacket Drives a Book's Value
For most books published since the 1920s, the original dust jacket carries a large share of the value, often most …
Read the guide →Frequently asked questions
Who published the first edition of The Birth of Tragedy?
The first edition of The Birth of Tragedy by Friedrich Nietzsche was published in Leipzig by E. W. Fritzsch in 1872.
How many editions of The Birth of Tragedy are there?
We track 2 editions of The Birth of Tragedy, including 1 first edition. Each has its own page with how to identify it.
What should I read after The Birth of Tragedy?
In order, it is followed by Untimely Meditations, according to Wikidata.
Can I read The Birth of Tragedy for free?
Yes: the text is out of copyright in the United States and free to read on Project Gutenberg. Collectors still pay for the first edition, which is the physical object, not the words.
Where these facts come from
- The Birth of Tragedy, Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- The Birth of Tragedy (Q1053359), Wikidata (wikidata.org)
Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 19 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.