Politics of Olympus

Jenny Strauss Clay is Professor of Classics at the University of Virginia.

"'This important and ground-breaking book provides for the first time systematic and convincing reading of these four fascinating poems as a group, and in relation to the epics of Homer and the Theogony of Hesiod. Clay's expert and highly original analysis of the poems' narrative and thematic patterns succeeds brilliantly in demonstrating not only the unexpected subtlety and coherence of each Hymn, but also the ways in which they work in combination to provide an overarching Greek world-view. The contested nature of divine authority, the close yet problematic relations between gods and humans, and the multiple processes of conflict and resolution among competing factions within the cosmic order, are all explored and skilfully interconnected in this highly acclaimed study - already a classic in the field. This is by far the best book that has been written on this important body of poetry.' - Mark Griffith, University of California, Berkeley 'Though controversial in many places, this book is of great value to classicists. Its assumption that the poems have an intellectual and "theological" coherence... is welcome and will benefit those who teach the Hymns.' - Charles Platter, Classical Outlook"