Iphigeneia, a priestess of Artemis in the land of the Taurians, faces a moral crisis when she must prepare two Greek strangers for ritual sacrifice, only to discover one is her long-lost brother, Orestes. Iphigeneia serves as the reluctant instrument of a barbaric cult, tasked with executing foreigners who land on the shores of Tauris. Her objective shifts from resignation to desperate ingenuity as she recognizes her kin, forcing her to orchestrate a complex escape plan against the backdrop of King Thoas's rigid laws. The narrative unfolds through the formal conventions of Greek drama, utilizing choral odes and stichomythia to heighten the tension of their impending flight. The play operates within the logical constraints of divine intervention and the strict social codes of the ancient world.

Discussion often centers on the play's classification as a tragedy despite its resolution, with many scholars noting its lighter, more adventurous tone compared to other works by Euripides. Readers frequently highlight the intricate plotting and the cleverness of the escape sequence as standout elements of the narrative. Critics often examine the balance between the play's suspenseful action and its underlying thematic exploration of identity and home. The translation by Richmond Lattimore is frequently praised for its ability to maintain the formal elegance of the original Greek while ensuring the dialogue remains accessible to modern audiences.