What reader could fail to be enthralled by the Iliad and the Odyssey, those greatest heroic epics of antiquity? Yet the author of those immortal text remains, in the end, an enigma. The central paradox of 'Homer' is that- while recognized as producing poetry of incomparable genius- even in the ancien world nobody knew who he was.
As a result, the myth-maker became the subject of myth. For the satirist Lucian (c.125-180 CE) he ws a captive Babylonian. Other traditions have Homer born in Smyrna, or on the island of Chios, or portray him as a blind and wandering minstrel.
In his new and authoritative introduction, Jonathan S. Burgess addresses fundamental questions of provenance and authorship. Besides conveying why these epics have been cherished down the ages, he discusses their historical sources and the possible impact on the Iliad and Odyssey of Indo-European, Near Eastern and folktale influences.
Tracing their transmission through the ancient, medieval and modern periods, the author further examines questions of theory and reception.
| ISBN: | 9781848858633 |
| Publication date: | 13th November 2014 |
| Author: | Jonathan S Burgess |
| Publisher: | I.B. Tauris an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (UK) |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 224 pages |
| Series: | Understanding Classics |
| Genres: |
Literary studies: ancient, classical and medieval History of ideas Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy Literary studies: general Ancient history Literary studies: poetry and poets |
What reader could fail to be enthralled by the Iliad and the Odyssey, those greatest heroic epics of antiquity? Yet the author of those immortal text remains, in the end, an enigma.
Homer features in the following genres: Literary studies: ancient, classical and medieval, History of ideas, Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, Literary studies: general, Ancient history, Literary studies: poetry and poets
Hardback, Paperback. £18.89, down from the £20.99 cover price. Not Available.
Homer was written by Jonathan S Burgess and published by I.B. Tauris an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)
Homer has 224 pages
Yes it is part of Understanding Classics series
£18.89, reduced from £20.99. Not Available.