Oxford Readings in Classical Studies – serie

This collection of essays provides a number of recent and classic papers on Vergil's "Aeneid" covering a wide range of topics. It is intended to be a supplement to standard reading for undergraduate courses in ancient epic poetry, and Vergil in particular. Special attention has been paid to including useful essays from sources which are rare, out of print, or otherwise difficult to obtain, although care has also been taken to include material which is regularly specified on reading lists. The essays presented here are all in English, but Dr. Harrison has attempted to maintain a broad overview of 20th century Vergilian criticisms. Work in other languages is mentioned in his introduciton, which is a general survey of literature on the "Aenied" since 1900, and contains much additional bibliographical material.

This collection of essays provides in convenient form a number of recent and classic papers on Vergil's Aeneid, covering a wide range of topics. It is particularly intended to be a supplement to standard reading for undergraduate courses in ancient epic poetry, and Vergil in particular. Especial attention has been paid to including useful essays from sources which are rare, out of print, or otherwise difficult to obtain, while care has also been taken to include material which is regularly specified on reading lists.The essays presented here are all in English, but Dr Harrison has attempted to maintain a broad overview of twentieth-century Vergilian criticism; work in other languages is mentioned in his introduction, which is a general survey of literature on the Aeneid, and in an additional bibliography. Contributors include such distinguished scholars as C. M. Bowra, Eduard Fraenkel, N. M. Horsfall, R. O. A. M. Lyne, R. G. M. Nisbet, F. H. Sandbach, F. Solmsen, D. A. West, and R. D. Williams. The work will be useful and accessible to scholars and students of Vergil and to anyone interested in this supreme epic poem.

From the identity of Greek athletes and the place of Greek games in the Roman era to forms, functions, and venues of Roman spectacles, this second volume of Sport in the Greek and Roman Worlds contains eleven articles and chapters of enduring importance to the study of ancient Greek and Roman sport, a field located at a crucial intersection of social history, archaeology, literature, and other aspects of those cultures.The studies have been updated with addenda by the original authors, and four of the articles that were originally published in German have been translated into English here for the first time. The studies, selected for breadth and importance of historical topics, include: the economics, status, gender, and training of ancient athletes; the place of Greek athletes in the Roman era; the evolution of Roman games from Etruscan customs and of the Roman arena from earlier traditions; the monetary prices of gladiators; the role of animal games in Rome; and the Roman team sport of chariot racing.A companion first volume complements this one with studies on Greek sport in its epic, heroic, and Bronze Age origins; the ancient Olympics in its relation to religion, politics, and diversity of competitors; Greek events in track and field and equestrian events. The articles in both volumes offer an excellent starting point to inspire newcomers to the study of ancient sport, and to give students and scholars an informative set of models for present knowledge and future research.

From the identity of Greek athletes and the place of Greek games in the Roman era to forms, functions, and venues of Roman spectacles, this second volume of Sport in the Greek and Roman Worlds contains eleven articles and chapters of enduring importance to the study of ancient Greek and Roman sport, a field located at a crucial intersection of social history, archaeology, literature, and other aspects of those cultures.The studies have been updated with addenda by the original authors, and four of the articles that were originally published in German have been translated into English here for the first time. The studies, selected for breadth and importance of historical topics, include: the economics, status, gender, and training of ancient athletes; the place of Greek athletes in the Roman era; the evolution of Roman games from Etruscan customs and of the Roman arena from earlier traditions; the monetary prices of gladiators; the role of animal games in Rome; and the Roman team sport of chariot racing.A companion first volume complements this one with studies on Greek sport in its epic, heroic, and Bronze Age origins; the ancient Olympics in its relation to religion, politics, and diversity of competitors; Greek events in track and field and equestrian events. The articles in both volumes offer an excellent starting point to inspire newcomers to the study of ancient sport, and to give students and scholars an informative set of models for present knowledge and future research.

Twenty-nine of the finest modern essays on Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides in a selection made accessible to both professional scholar and student; all Greek quotations have been translated.

Twenty-nine modern essays on Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides in a selection made accessible to both professional scholar and student; all Greek quotations have been translated.

This anthology should be a 'must' for all serious students of Aristophanes. It brings together for the first time in one volume all the most important contributions to the study of Aristophanes published over the last several decades - providing an ideal resource for anyone studying the plays. Aristophanes is the only surviving author of Greek Attic comedy who has left us more than fragments, and his eleven surviving plays reflect the spirit of Athens in the golden age - and its unique freedom of speech. The book deals not only with the better known comedies like Clouds and Birds, but also the later, more unusual works like The Assemblywomen and Wealth, which represent important stages towards the evolution of modern comedy. Subjects range from the classic question of Aristophanes' relationship to contemporary politics to more modern issues such as feminism, gender, performance context, and the interaction between fifth century comedy and tragedy. Many of the contributions are not otherwise readily available to students and teachers, coming from foreign journals and books, difficult to obtain. All the Greek has been translated for the benefit of students reading the plays in English.

This anthology should be a `must' for all serious students of Aristophanes. It brings together for the first tinme in one volume all the most important contributions to the study of Aristophanes published over the last several decades - providing an ideal resource for anyone studying the plays. Aristophanes is the only surviving author of Greek Attic comedy who has left us more than fragments, and his eleven surviving plays reflect the spirit of Athens in the golden age - and its unique freedom of speech. The book deals not only with the better known comedies like Clouds and Birds, but also the later, more unusual works like The Assembywomen and Wealth, which represent important stages towards the evolution of modern comedy. Subjects range from the classic question of Aristophanes' relationship to contemporary politics to more modern issues such as feminism, gender, performance context, and the interaction between fifth century comedy and tragedy. Many of the contributions are not otherwise readily available to students and teachers, coming from foreign journals and books, difficult to obtain. All the greek has been translated for the benefit of students reading the plays in English.

This anthology of articles on the Roman novels of Petronius and Apuleius makes available some of the most useful and important articles published in German and Italian as well as English over the last thirty years. The introduction, by the editor, provides a general assessment of all scholarly work written about the texts from the 1900s to the 1990s, setting the papers usefully in context. The articles in this collection which concern the work of Petronius include a general interpretation of a fragmentary and problematic text, exploration of narrative technique, relation to Menippean satire and recently discovered Greek novel papyri, and realism. On Apuleius, the collection includes pieces on narrative and ideological unity, relation to religion and Platonism, exploration of narrative technique, relation to epic and to the Greek ass stories, to folk-tale, and historical realism. A reflection of the period of rapid expansion of scholarly interest in the area of the ancient novel, this book combines the best of current international scholarly interpretation.

This anthology of articles on the Roman novels of Petronius and Apuleius makes available some of the most useful and important articles published in German and Italian as well as English over the last thirty years. The introduction, by the editor, provides a general assessment of all scholarly work written about the texts from the 1900s to the 1990s, setting the papers usefully in context. The articles in this collection which concern the work of Petronius include a general interpretation of a fragmentary and problematic text, exploration of narrative technique, relation to Menippean satire and recently discovered Greek novel papyri, and realism. On Apuleius, the collection includes pieces on narrative and ideological unity, relation to religion and Platonism, exploration of narrative technique, relation to epic and to the Greek ass stories, to folk-tale, and historical realism. A reflection of the period of rapid expansion of scholarly interest in the area of the ancient novel this book combines the best of current international scholarly interpretation.

This anthology makes accessible to the reader sixteen of the most important studies of Homer and the Iliad to appear in the last forty years. The essays, by leading Homeric scholars from Great Britain, the United States, and Europe, deal not only with the aesthetics and artistry of the Iliad as a poetic artefact, but with its historical context, its cultural background, and its ethical and political framework. Other major topics include the relation between the Iliad and other early epics (the Odyssey, the Epic Cycle), the interface between epic and other genres, such as tragedy, and the complex interaction that exists between the Iliad and the wider traditions of oral poetry and mythical narrative in which it belongs.Two of the contributions have been translated especially for this volume; several have been thoroughly revised and updated, and others are provided with Addenda taking account of recent work in the field. In a detailed and wide-ranging introduction Douglas Cairns sets the contributions in the context of contemporary scholarship and explores significant connections between them. All Greek is translated and a glossary of transliterated Greek terms is provided.

This anthology makes accessible to the reader sixteen of the most important studies of Homer and the Iliad to appear in the last forty years. The essays, by leading Homeric scholars from Great Britain, the United States, and Europe, deal not only with the aesthetics and artistry of the Iliad as a poetic artefact, but with its historical context, its cultural background, and its ethical and political framework. Other major topics include the relation between the Iliad and other early epics (the Odyssey, the Epic Cycle), the interface between epic and other genres, such as tragedy, and the complex interaction that exists between the Iliad and the wider traditions of oral poetry and mythical narrative in which it belongs.Two of the contributions have been translated especially for this volume; several have been thoroughly revised and updated, and others are provided with Addenda taking account of recent work in the field. In a detailed and wide-ranging introduction Douglas Cairns sets the contributions in the context of contemporary scholarship and explores significant connections between them. All Greek is translated and a Glossary of transliterated Greek terms is provided.

Few ancient authors are as challenging as Euripides, and few have provoked so many diverse critical opinions through the ages: Aristotle described him as 'most tragic', and yet many of his plays have been condemned by critics as barely qualifying as 'proper' tragedies at all. In general he has enjoyed a revival in reputation over the last few decades: his manipulation of convention and the skill of his dramaturgy are perhaps more widely admired now than at any time since the Renaissance. Moreover, his exploration of the emotions of the marginalized sections of Athenian society - women, slaves, foreigners - has given his work strong contemporary resonances. This volume aims to bring together for students some classic essays illustrating the main strands of Euripidean criticism over the last forty years. Two of the essays are translated here for the first time, and many others have been revised by their authors. All Greek has been translated.

Few ancient authors are as challenging as Euripides, and few have provoked so many diverse critical opinions through the ages: Aristotle described him as 'most tragic', and yet many of his plays have been condemned by critics as barely qualifying as 'proper' tragedies at all. In general he has enjoyed a revival in reputation over the last few decades: his manipulation of convention and the skill of his dramaturgy are perhaps more widely admired now than at any time since the Renaissance. Moreover, his exploration of the emotions of the marginalized sections of Athenian society - women, slaves, foreigners - has given his work strong contemporary resonances. This volume aims to bring together for students some classic essays illustrating the main strands of Euripidean criticism over the last forty years. Two of the essays are translated here for the first time, and many others have been revised by their authors. All Greek has been translated.

This book comprises a new and exciting collection of critical work on the ancient Greek novel. It offers students and researchers twelve of the most influential studies of recent years together with an introduction, by the editor, which explores the nature of the Greek novel in its historical context. The Readings are in two sections. The first examines aspects which are common to several or all of the novels, for example, themes and plots; the portrayal of emotions; the role of the countryside; female readers and characters; and the `historical novel'. The second section contains studies of the narrative and plot of Chariton, the genre of and literary responses to Longus, Achilles Tatius' ego-narrative, the narrative technique and message of Heliodorus, and the humour found in Lucian's A True Story. Six of these pieces have been translated for the first time from French, German, and Italian, thereby bringing some of the best of European scholarship to an Anglophone audience. The most important Greek quotations have been rendered into English making these texts easily accessible to readers without Greek.

This book comprises a new and exciting collection of critical work on the ancient Greek novel. It offers students and researchers twelve of the most influential studies of recent years together with an introduction, by the editor, which explores the nature of the Greek novel in its historical context. The Readings are in two sections. The first examines aspects which are common to several or all of the novels, for example, themes and plots; the portrayal of emotions; the role of the countryside; female readers and characters; and the 'historical novel'. The second section contains studies of the narrative and plot of Chariton, the genre of and literary responses to Longus, Achilles Tatius' ego-narrative, the narrative technique and message of Heliodorus, and the humour found in Lucian's A True Story. Six of these pieces have been translated for the first time from French, German, and Italian, thereby bringing some of the best of European scholarship to an Anglophone audience. The most important Greek quotations have been rendered into English making these texts easily accessible to readers without Greek.

The study of ancient Greek religion has been excitingly renewed in the last thirty years. Key areas of interest have been: the relationship between religion and politics; new and unexpected perspectives opened up by archaeological finds; the symbiosis between myth and ritual; the role of gender differences in the practice and perception of religion; conceptual problems raised by the very notion of 'religion'. This volume gathers together challenging papers by many of the most innovative participants in this renewal. Almost all the articles have been revised by their authors and/or provided with Addenda, to take account of the most recent scholarship. One article has been translated specifically for this collection; another is for the first time provided with illustrations. No single school or style of approach is privileged: the aim is to illustrate a range of possible methods which may be adopted in the investigation of this endlessly fascinating material.

The study of ancient Greek religion has been excitingly renewed in the last thirty years. Key areas of interest have been: the relationship between religion and politics; new and unexpected perspectives opened up by archaeological finds; the symbiosis between myth and ritual; the role of gender differences in the practice and perception of religion; conceptual problems raised by the very notion of 'religion'. This volume gathers together challenging papers by many of the most innovative participants in this renewal. Almost all the articles have been revised by their authors and/or provided with Addenda, to take account of the most recent scholarship. One article has been translated specifically for this collection; another is for the first time provided with illustrations. No single school or style of approach is privileged: the aim is to illustrate a range of possible methods which may be adopted in the investigation of this endlessly fascinating material. The volume also contains an important introductory essay by Richard Buxton.

This book documents the origins of modern comedy by examining the evolution of 'New Comedy', the Greek genre of which the works of Menander are the only surviving example. Earlier authors like Aristophanes wrote in a completely different style: raucous, bawdy, fantastical, and vaudeville. Menander (of whom Plutarch said, 'what other reason would a cultivated man have to go to the theatre?') and his contemporaries presented civilised, urban comedies based on the themes of quiet domestic dramas.The Romans adapted these comedies giving them their own farcical spin. Though they based their comedies on Greek originals, Plautus referred to them as 'barbarian versions'; they were mockeries on Hellenistic themes.Terence, by contrast, is more like Menander, whose plays he followed with some fidelity, but without success. The Romans did not crave realism, they wanted a good laugh and Terence- though he could have done so- refused to pander to their vulgar tastes. Yet he got his revenge. It was Terence who provided the touchstone boy-meets-girl plots which still appear today in various guises on the silver screen.An authoritative Introduction sets the papers, which are by leading experts in their field, in context and explores connections between them thus examining the legacy for modern comedies. All Latin and Greek is translated.

This book documents the origins of modern comedy by examining the evolution of 'New Comedy', the Greek genre of which the works of Menander are the only surviving example. Earlier authors like Aristophanes wrote in a completely different style: raucous, bawdy, fantastical, and vaudeville. Menander (of whom Plutarch said, 'what other reason would a cultivated man have to go to the theatre?') and his contemporaries presented civilised, urban comedies based on the themes of quiet domestic dramas.The Romans adapted these comedies giving them their own farcical spin. Though they based their comedies on Greek originals, Plautus referred to them as 'barbarian versions'; they were mockeries on Hellenistic themes.Terence, by contrast, is more like Menander, whose plays he followed with some fidelity, but without success. The Romans did not crave realism, they wanted a good laugh and Terence- though he could have done so- refused to pander to their vulgar tastes. Yet he got his revenge. It was Terence who provided the touchstone boy-meets-girl plots which still appear today in various guises on the silver screen.An authoritative Introduction sets the papers, which are by leading experts in their field, in context and explores connections between them thus examining the legacy for modern comedies. All Latin and Greek is translated.

The Roman historian Sallust emerges from recent scholarship as one of the most innovative and original writers of the ancient world. His works describe the political and moral crises of Rome's civil wars in the first century BCE and raise questions about the possibilities for narrating the past that matter profoundly to historians today. This volume provides a substantial introduction to scholarship on Sallust, bringing together some of the best and most important studies from the last decades and setting them within the context of a rich and continuing scholarly tradition that includes influential works by Eduard Schwartz (1897) and Kurt Latte (1935). Each contribution presents a distinctive vision of the historian and together they reveal different aspects of his complexity and surprising modernity. Substantial attention is given to all three of Sallust's works: the monographs on the Catilinarian conspiracy and the war with Jugurtha, as well as the fragmentary Histories. Translations of important contributions by German and Italian scholars as well as a survey of the early modern reception of Sallust offer unprecedented access to the scope of Sallust studies. This volume will be an important resource for students of ancient history and Latin literature at all levels and also introduce a wider scholarly audience to Sallust's importance and interest.

This volume, together with its companion on the Georgics and the previously published volume on the Aeneid, completes the coverage of Vergil's poetry in Oxford Readings in Classical Studies. It collects ten classic papers on the Eclogues written between 1970 and 1999 by leading scholars from several different countries. The contributions are representative of recent developments in Vergilian scholarship, with some discussing general issues raised by the work and others treating important individual poems and passages. The editor's introduction places the essays in their context. A conspectus of contemporary Eclogues criticism, the book will be helpful to students who are encountering the poems for the first time - all Latin has been translated - and will also serve as a reference work for more seasoned scholars.

This volume, together with its companion on the Georgics and the previously published volume on the Aeneid, completes the coverage of Vergil's poetry in Oxford Readings in Classical Studies. It collects ten classic papers on the Eclogues written between 1970 and 1999 by leading scholars from several different countries. The contributions are representative of recent developments in Vergilian scholarship, with some discussing general issues raised by the work and others treating important individual poems and passages. The editor's introduction places the essays in their context. A conspectus of contemporary Eclogues criticism, the book will be helpful to students who are encountering the poems for the first time - all Latin has been translated - and will also serve as a reference work for more seasoned scholars.

The articles included in this volume represent some of the finest writing on Horace's satires (Sermones) and epistles (Epistulae) over the past fifty years. Several have previously only been accessible in specialist journals, while five appear here for the first time in English translation. All are remarkable for the way in which they do their work at multiple levels, moving from the basics of grammar, vocabulary, and syntax to issues of genre, socio-politics, and beyond. Collectively, these articles underscore and exemplify the value of close reading, and of paying strict attention to detail. Starting with the specifics of the poetic page, they lead us into the various complex and overlapping discursive systems that Horace's poems both arise from and seek to address. A specially written Introduction surveys recent scholarship, and the specific impact of each article included.

The articles included in this volume represent some of the finest writing on Horace's satires (Sermones) and epistles (Epistulae) over the past fifty years. Several have previously only been accessible in specialist journals, while five appear here for the first time in English translation. All are remarkable for the way in which they do their work at multiple levels, moving from the basics of grammar, vocabulary, and syntax to issues of genre, socio-politics, and beyond. Collectively, these articles underscore and exemplify the value of close reading, and of paying strict attention to detail. Starting with the specifics of the poetic page, they lead us into the various complex and overlapping discursive systems that Horace's poems both arise from and seek to address. A specially written Introduction surveys recent scholarship, and the specific impact of each article included.

Thucydides' account of the war between Athens and Sparta is the first great work of political history and still a fundamental text for political science and international relations today; it is also a compelling story, full of vivid characters and tragic miscalculations. This collection of essays is designed to accompany, instruct, and stimulate readers of Thucydides by making accessible some classic and influential studies that are frequently cited but not always easy to access. (One-third of the essays appear here in English for the first time.) All Greek is translated, and an introductory chapter surveys the chronology and thematic controversies among Thucydides' readings from antiquity to the present.

Thucydides' account of the war between Athens and Sparta is the first great work of political history and still a fundamental text for political science and international relations today; it is also a compelling story, full of vivid characters and tragic miscalculations. This collection of essays is designed to accompany, instruct, and stimulate readers of Thucydides by making accessible some classic and influential studies that are frequently cited but not always easy to access. (One-third of the essays appear here in English for the first time.) All Greek is translated, and an introductory chapter surveys the chronology and thematic controversies among Thucydides' readings from antiquity to the present.

This collection of recent articles provides convenient access to some of the best recent writing on Horace's Odes and Epodes. Formalist, structuralist, and historicizing approaches alike offer insight into this complex poet, who reinvented lyric at the transition from the Republic to the Augustan principate. Several classic studies in French, German, and Italian are here translated into English for the first time. A thread linking many of the pieces is the recurring debate over the performance of Horace's Odes. Fiction? Literal reality? A figurative appropriation of Greek tradition within the bookish culture of late Hellenism? Arguments both for and against gain a hearing. Michele Lowrie's introduction surveys the state of current scholarship and offers guidance on the seminal issues confronting the interpretation of Horatian lyric today. Suggestions for further reading and a consolidated bibliography open avenues for more extensive research.

This collection of recent articles provides convenient access to some of the best recent writing on Horace's Odes and Epodes. Formalist, structuralist, and historicizing approaches alike offer insight into this complex poet, who reinvented lyric at the transition from the Republic to the Augustan principate. Several classic studies in French, German, and Italian are here translated into English for the first time. A thread linking many of the pieces is the recurring debate over the performance of Horace's Odes. Fiction? Literal reality? A figurative appropriation of Greek tradition within the bookish culture of late Hellenism? Arguments both for and against gain a hearing. Michele Lowrie's introduction surveys the state of current scholarship and offers guidance on the seminal issues confronting the interpretation of Horatian lyric today. Suggestions for further reading and a consolidated bibliography open avenues for more extensive research.