Greek Epic Fragments

by Harvard University Press

Overview

Cyclic verse.

Greek epics of the archaic period include poems that narrate a particular heroic episode or series of episodes and poems that recount the long-term history of families or peoples. They are an important source of mythological record. Here is a new text and translation of the examples of this poetry that have come down to us.

The heroic epic is represented by poems about Heracles and Theseus, and by two great epic cycles: the Theban Cycle, which tells of the failed assault on Thebes by the Seven and the subsequent successful assault by their sons; and the Trojan Cycle, which includes Cypria, Little Iliad, and The Sack of Ilion. Among the genealogical epics are poems in which Eumelus creates a prehistory for Corinth and Asius creates one for Samos. In presenting the extant fragments of these early epic poems, Martin West provides very helpful notes. His Introduction places the epics in historical context.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780674996052
Publisher:	Harvard University Press
Publication date:	04/30/2003
Series:	Loeb Classical Library , #497
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	609,493
Product dimensions:	4.25(w) x 6.38(h) x 0.75(d)
Language:	Greek, Ancient (to 1453)

About the Author

Martin Litchfield West, OM, FBA (1937–2015) was Professor of Greek at the University of London and Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford.

Table of Contents

Preface

Abbreviations and Symbols

Introduction

Select Bibliography

The Theban Cycle

Oedipodea

Thebaid

Epigoni

Alcmeonis

The Trojan Cycle

Cypria

Aethiopis

The Little Iliad

The Sack of Ilion

The Returns

Telegony. Thesprotis

Poems On Heracles And Theseus

Creophylus, The Capture of Oichalia

Pisander, Heraclea

Panyassis, Heraclea

Theseis

Genealogical And Antiquarian Epics

Eumelus (Titanomachia, Corinthiaca, Europia)

Cinaethon

Asius

Hegesinous

Chersias

Danais

Minyas

Carmen Naupactium

Phoronis

Unplaced Fragments (mostly ascribed to "Homer")

Comparative Numeration

Index

Editorial Reviews

A magnificent achievement... As one would expect of a scholar of West’s distinction these are accurate, keenly alive to each nuance of the Greek... Scholars owe a considerable debt of gratitude to West for [this] new Loeb.

Scholia Reviews - Richard Whitaker

A magnificent achievement...As one would expect of a scholar of West's distinction these are accurate, keenly alive to each nuance of the Greek...Scholars owe a considerable debt of gratitude to West for [this] new Loeb.
— Richard Whitaker

Scholia Reviews