Stesichorus in Context

The first collection of essays, by leading scholars, on a major Greek poet whose works have only recently been recovered.

P. J. Finglass (Edited by), Adrian Kelly (Edited by)

9781107645660, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 November 2018

223 pages
24.6 x 19 x 1.3 cm, 0.39 kg

The sixth-century BC Greek poet Stesichorus was highly esteemed in antiquity; but by about AD 400 his works had been almost completely lost. Over recent decades, however, the recovery of substantial portions of his poetry has enabled a reassessment of his significance. These essays by leading scholars analyse different aspects of his oeuvre: the relationship between Stesichorus and epic, particularly his response to the Homeric poems; his narrative technique and his handling of erotic themes; and his influence and reception in fifth-century Athens, in Hellenistic scholarship and poetry, in the Renaissance, and in poetry today. The volume as a whole - the first dedicated to this author - amply demonstrates the extraordinary creativity and continuing vitality of the poet from Himera.

1. The state of Stesichorean studies P. J. Finglass and Adrian Kelly
Part I. Stesichorus and Epic: 2. Stesichorus' Homer Adrian Kelly
3. Stesichorus and the Epic Cycle Chris Carey
4. Epic, lyric, and lyric epic M. L. West
Part II. Stesichorean Poetics: 5. Stesichorus, master of narrative P. J. Finglass
6. Stesichorus the romantic Ian Rutherford
Part III. Reception and Influence: 7. Stesichorus at Athens Ewen Bowie
8. Stesichorus on stage Laura Swift
9. Sweet Stesichorus: Theocritus 18 and the Helen revisited Richard Hunter
10. Stesichorus' readers: from Pierre de Ronsard to Anne Carson Gerson Schade.

Subject Areas: Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], Literary studies: poetry & poets [DSC], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB]