The Fall of Troy in Early Greek Poetry and Art (Oxford Classical Monographs) [Hardcover]

Michael J. Anderson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 29, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0198150644 | ISBN-13: 978-0198150640

Greek myth-makers crafted the downfall of Troy and its rulers into an archetypal illustration of ruthless conquest, deceit, crime and punishment, and the variability of human fortunes. This book examines the major episodes in the archetypal myth--the murder of Priam, the rape of Kassandra, the reunion of Helen and Menelaos, and the escape of Alnelas--as witnessed in Archaic Greek epic, fifth-century Athenian drama, and Athenian black- and red-figure vase painting. It focuses in particular on the narrative artistry with which poets and painters balanced these episodes with one another and interwtined them with other chapters in the story of Troy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...the interdisciplinary approach should be applauded and all interested in the Trojan War will find something of value in Anderson's thoughtful investigation."--Religious Studies Review

"...anyone interested in the Trojan War, student or professional scholar, will find this book useful, enlightening, and fun to read. The stories explored here are not only diverting, often even stirring in themselves, but the vast network of interconnections among them, the principle subject of the book, is an edifice of remarkable coherence, a thing of real beauty."--Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"Anderson has drawn our attention to a narrative tradition, now fragmentary but clearly of great significance in the archaic and classical ages. His emphasis on correlative patterns and scenes will enrich our appreciation of epic and vase paintings alike and the gaps left open will invite further exploration of this tradition."--New England Classical Journal

"...this book is a valuable addition to the literature on the epic cycle and is admirable in its use of the visual as well as the literary evidence."--Classical World

About the Author

Michael J. Anderson is at Columbia University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (May 29, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198150644
• ISBN-13: 978-0198150640
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,681,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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