Quintus Smyrnaeus – författare

A late epic bridge between Homeric masterpieces.Quintus Smyrnaeus’ Posthomerica, the only long mythological epic to survive in Greek from the period between Apollonius’ Argonautica (3rd century BC) and Nonnus’ Dionysiaca (5th century AD), fills in the whole story of the Trojan expedition between the end of Homer’s Iliad and the beginning of the Odyssey, which had been treated only episodically by earlier epic and dramatic poets. Composing sometime between the late second and mid-fourth centuries AD, Quintus boldly adapts Homeric diction and style to suit the literary, moral, religious, rhetorical, and philosophical culture of the high Roman Empire, and does not hesitate to diverge from the usual versions of the story in order to craft his own narrative vision.This edition of the Posthomerica replaces the earlier Loeb Classical Library edition by A. S. Way (1913) with an updated text based on that of F. Vian, and fresh translation, introduction, and bibliography that take account of more than a century of intervening scholarship.

The ancient Greek epic poem "The Fall of Troy" is credited to Quintus Smyrnaeus, who is thought to have lived in the fourth century AD. The poem, which is a continuation of Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey," tells the story of what happens after Hector dies and Troy falls during the Trojan War. The story contains a number of incidents, such as the Greeks' creation of the wooden horse, the horse's penetration of Troy, and the city's subsequent sacking. Quintus Smyrnaeus adds new information and viewpoints while elaborating on the people and events featured in Homer's poems. The poem also has tragic, romantic, and divine intervention themes. "The Fall of Troy" is noteworthy for its attempt to close the gap between later, more contemporary writing and the Homeric epics. The poem connects the classical Greek epics with the Roman and mediaeval traditions, reflecting a continuance of the epic tradition. “The Fall of Troy" is an important part of the Trojan War story and has influenced succeeding literary traditions, even though it is not as well-known as Homer's writings.