With his dissertation on the Deus ex machina in Sophocles and Euripides (1957), his habilitation thesis on the funeral oration of Gregory of Nyssa for Meletius of Antioch (1967), the critical text edition of the funeral orations of Gregory of Nyssa (1967), and numerous other publications, Andreas Spira has earned an internationally respected reputation as a specialist in Greek tragedy, Gregory of Nyssa, and ancient rhetoric. Spira's primary concern was to understand the essence of humanity, its character, and its expressions of life as a guide and aid toward true humanity. Since his studies will also be fundamental and indispensable for the future, they are presented here in a practical collection.