Hexametrical Genres from Homer to Theocritus

Christopher Faraone's book explores hexametrical genres such as oracles, incantations, and laments that do not fit the generic models of Hesiod and Homer. It provides new insight into their ritual performance, early history, and how poets from Homer to Theocritus embedded or imitated these genres to enrich their own hexametrical poems. The book focuses on recovering lost or under-appreciated hexametrical genres, often left out of modern taxonomies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 05 January 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

In his comprehensive exploration of hexametrical genres from Homer to Theocritus,Christopher Faraone delves into a diverse array of short forms, including oracles, incantations, and laments, which defy easy classification within the generic frameworks established by the extant poetry of Hesiod and Homer. Through his meticulous analysis, Faraone offers fresh perspectives on these ritualistic expressions, shedding light on their historical origins, performance practices, and the ways in which poets from Homer to Theocritus incorporated or mimicked these genres to enhance their own hexametrical poems. By engaging with and occasionally subverting the generic expectations of their audiences or readers, these poets sought to enrich the rich tapestry of hexametrical poetry.

Faraone's work seamlessly blends literary and ritual studies, resulting in a comprehensive portrayal of hexametrical genres performed publicly for gods, such as hymns or laments for Adonis, or more intimate ones, such as epithalamia, oracles, or incantations. This volume primarily focuses on the recovery and appreciation of lost or underappreciated hexametrical genres, often overlooked in modern taxonomies of archaic hexametrical poetry. These genres, which survive in fragmented forms or have their earliest evidence dating to the classical period, deserve to be recognized and studied in their own right.

By delving into the intricacies of these genres, Faraone provides valuable insights into the cultural, social, and religious contexts in which they were produced and consumed. His study not only enhances our understanding of ancient Greek poetry but also sheds light on the broader cultural significance of hexametrical forms in the ancient Mediterranean world. This book is a must-read for scholars and enthusiasts alike who seek to explore the rich and diverse world of hexametrical genres and their enduring impact on the literary and ritual traditions of ancient Greece.

Weight: 542g
Dimension: 165 x 243 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197552971