Hecale. Hymns. Epigrams

Callimachus was a prominent poet of the Hellenistic era who wrote around 800 volumes of poetry and prose on various subjects. He came to the court of the Ptolemies in Alexandria and helped establish the Library and Museum as a center of literature, science, and scholarship. His poetry is known for its "Callimachean" style, combining learning, elegance, and innovation, and served as an important model for later poets. This edition presents all that currently survives of and about Callimachus and his works, with the Greek text based on Pfeiffers and enriched by subsequent publications and scholarship.

Format: Hardback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 24 February 2023
Publisher: Harvard University Press

Callimachus, a renowned scholar-poet of the Hellenistic era, hailed from Cyrene, Libya, and his journey to the court of the Ptolemies in Alexandria marked the beginning of a remarkable literary career. As a young man, he graced the halls of the Ptolemaic court, where he crafted exquisite poetry for the royal family. Alongside his poetic endeavors, Callimachus played a pivotal role in establishing the Library and Museum as a global hub of literature, science, and scholarship. His literary contributions are astounding, estimated to encompass an astonishing 800 volumes of poetry and prose, covering a vast array of subjects. Among these, the Pinakes stands out as a remarkable descriptive bibliography of the Library's holdings, spanning 120 volumes. Callimachus' profound knowledge and intellectual prowess infuse his poetry with a unique blend of creativity, refinement, and expressive power. His "Callimachean" style, characterized by a harmonious blend of learning, elegance, and innovation, became an influential model for subsequent poets, particularly in Rome. Catullus, Virgil, Horace, Ovid, and the elegists, among others, drew inspiration from Callimachus' mastery of language and his ability to create concise, clear, and captivating works.

This edition, a significant improvement over the earlier Loeb editions by A. W. Mair (1921) and C. A. Trypanis (1954, 1958), presents a comprehensive collection of all surviving material related to Callimachus and his works. Volume I encompasses Aetia, Iambi, and lyric poems, Volume II features Hecale, Hymns, and Epigrams, and Volume III includes miscellaneous epics, elegies, fragments, testimonia, concordances, and a comprehensive index. The Greek text employed in this edition is primarily based on the work of Pfeiffer, but it has been enriched by subsequent papyri and the insights of later editors. Furthermore, the notes and annotations provided in this edition are thoroughly informed by the latest scholarship in the field.

Callimachus' legacy as a scholar-poet continues to resonate through the ages, and his contributions to literature, science, and culture have left an indelible mark on the world. This edition, with its meticulous presentation and comprehensive coverage, serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike, allowing them to delve deeper into the rich tapestry of Callimachus' poetic genius.

Dimension: 162 x 108 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674997332