Ancient Epic
Blackwell Introductions to the Classical World
April 2009
224 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
ISBN:
978-1-4051-5947-0
John Wiley & Sons
Ancient Epic offers a comprehensive and accessible
introduction to six of the greatest ancient epics - Homer's
Iliad and Odyssey, Vergil's Aeneid, Ovid's
Metamorphoses, and Apollonius of Rhodes' Agonautica.
* Provides an accessible introduction to the ancient epic
* Offers interpretive analyses of poems within a comprehensive
historical context
* Includes a detailed timeline, suggestions for further readings,
and an appendix of the Olympian gods and their Akkadian
counterparts
Chronologies viii
Map x
Introduction 1
1 The Epic of Gilgamesh 14
2 The Context of Homeric Epic 33
3 The Iliad 52
4 The Odyssey 81
5 The Argonautika of Apollonios of Rhodes 106
6 The Context of Roman Epic 125
7 The Aeneid of Virgil 143
8 The Metamorphoses of Ovid 172
Appendix: Chart of Olympian Gods and their Akkadian Counterparts
189
Glossary of Greek and Latin terms 192
Index 193
Map x
Introduction 1
1 The Epic of Gilgamesh 14
2 The Context of Homeric Epic 33
3 The Iliad 52
4 The Odyssey 81
5 The Argonautika of Apollonios of Rhodes 106
6 The Context of Roman Epic 125
7 The Aeneid of Virgil 143
8 The Metamorphoses of Ovid 172
Appendix: Chart of Olympian Gods and their Akkadian Counterparts
189
Glossary of Greek and Latin terms 192
Index 193
"[King] also draws connections between the works so the reader can
see the epics in the context of their genre and historical period."
(CHOICE, February 2010)
"Provides a comprehensive idea [of] ancient epic, showing
how this literary genre is not only an invaluable cultural asset in
itself, but the bearer of messages and values far remote or dead
... .The brilliant and dense general introduction identifies
the preliminary concepts necessary to address the overall theme of
the book ... .Truly admirable consistency [and] effort [for] a
topic so broad and multifaceted. The fact that the text is
addressed to an audience of non-specialists ... does not reduce
... the scope and importance: on the contrary. Ancient
Epic is the result of a well-calibrated balance between
methodological rigor [and] accuracy of content ... .This
volume, which deserves to be considered among the best
introductions to ancient epic appeared in recent years, has all the
characteristics to ... fascinate a very wide number of readers
(not necessarily native English speakers) who want to know epic
poetry." (Bryn Mawr Classical Review, February 2010)
"If you already enjoy the Classical epics, you should read this
to challenge your assumptions. If you aren't familiar with
Classical epic, you should read this to learn about the topic.
Ancient Epic straddles beautifully the need to provide value
for people who have already read the epics and the needs of a
reader unacquainted with the genre." (N.S. Gill,
About.com)
"Katherine King has given us an immensely valuable volume on the
ancient epic. Well-balanced, informative, and perceptive, the work
provides a reference and over-view that both students and scholars
will read with profit and interest."
--Stephanie Nelson, Boston University
see the epics in the context of their genre and historical period."
(CHOICE, February 2010)
"Provides a comprehensive idea [of] ancient epic, showing
how this literary genre is not only an invaluable cultural asset in
itself, but the bearer of messages and values far remote or dead
... .The brilliant and dense general introduction identifies
the preliminary concepts necessary to address the overall theme of
the book ... .Truly admirable consistency [and] effort [for] a
topic so broad and multifaceted. The fact that the text is
addressed to an audience of non-specialists ... does not reduce
... the scope and importance: on the contrary. Ancient
Epic is the result of a well-calibrated balance between
methodological rigor [and] accuracy of content ... .This
volume, which deserves to be considered among the best
introductions to ancient epic appeared in recent years, has all the
characteristics to ... fascinate a very wide number of readers
(not necessarily native English speakers) who want to know epic
poetry." (Bryn Mawr Classical Review, February 2010)
"If you already enjoy the Classical epics, you should read this
to challenge your assumptions. If you aren't familiar with
Classical epic, you should read this to learn about the topic.
Ancient Epic straddles beautifully the need to provide value
for people who have already read the epics and the needs of a
reader unacquainted with the genre." (N.S. Gill,
About.com)
"Katherine King has given us an immensely valuable volume on the
ancient epic. Well-balanced, informative, and perceptive, the work
provides a reference and over-view that both students and scholars
will read with profit and interest."
--Stephanie Nelson, Boston University
Katherine Callen King is Professor of Classics and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Los Angeles.
