The Cambridge History of Classical Literature: Volume 1, Greek Literature, Part 4, The Hellenistic Period and the Empire [Paperback]

P. E. Easterling (Editor), B. M. W. Knox (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 26, 1989 | ISBN-10: 0521359848 | ISBN-13: 978-0521359849

This series provides individual textbooks on early Greek poetry, on Greek drama, on philosophy, history and oratory, and on the literature of the Hellenistic period and of the Empire. Each part has its own appendix of authors and works, a list of works cited, and an index. This volume studies the revolutionary movement represented by the more creative of the Hellenistic poets and finally the very rich range of authors surviving from the imperial period, with rhetoric and the novel contributing a distinctive flavour to the culture of the time. Appropriately enough, the volume closes with a survey of books and readers in the ancient world, which draws attention to the bookish nature of Greek literature from the Hellenistic period onwards and points forward to its survival into the Middle Ages.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This is a comprehensive, chronological survey of Greek literature from Homer to the end of the third century A.D., although perhaps oratory is disproportionately represented. The survey is by genre. The contributors are leading scholars in their fields. Knowledge of Greek is not essential; Greek quotations are accompanied by good translations. The essays succeed in setting the authors and their works in literary and historical perspective. Frequently there is an outline of current scholarly controversies. The appendixes give biographical sketches of the ancient authors and a selected modern bibliography. In a single volume a wealth of knowledge is offered to all who are interested in European literature. Valerie M. Warrior, Classics Dept., Amherst Coll., Mass.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"...a mighty achievement, bringing together the work of nineteen of the finest scholars in the field to produce a single volume...It will surely not be superceded in this century, and probably never will..." The New York Review of Books

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Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (May 26, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521359848
• ISBN-13: 978-0521359849
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,149,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)