Miscellaneous Epics and Elegies. Other Fragments. Testimonia

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 played a significant role in establishing the Library and Museum as a center of literature, science, and scholarship. His poetry is known for its learning, elegance, and innovation, and his "Callimachean" style served as an important model for later poets. This edition presents all that currently survives of Callimachus and his works, including ancient commentaries, scholia, and other fragments.

Format: Hardback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 24 February 2023
Publisher: Harvard University Press

Callimachus, the preeminent scholar-poet of the Hellenistic era, hailed from the proud and noble city of Cyrene in Libya. As a young man, he graced the court of the Ptolemies in Alexandria, where he crafted exquisite poetry for the royal family. Alongside his literary contributions, Callimachus played a pivotal role in establishing the Library and Museum as a global hub of literature, science, and scholarship. His prolific literary output consisted of an estimated 800 volumes, encompassing a vast array of subjects, including the renowned Pinakes, a descriptive bibliography of the Library's holdings in 120 volumes. Callimachus' profound knowledge and intellectual prowess deeply influenced his poetry, which showcased a remarkable range and innovative reinterpretation of the language and generic conventions of his predecessors. The "Callimachean" style, characterized by its blend of learning, elegance, and innovation, prized brevity, clarity, lightness, and charm. It served as a significant model for later poets, particularly in Rome, where Catullus, Virgil, Horace, Ovid, and the elegists found inspiration in Callimachus' works.

This edition, a replacement for the earlier Loeb editions by A. W. Mair (1921) and C. A. Trypanis (1954, 1958), presents the entirety of what remains of and about Callimachus and his works. Volume I encompasses Aetia, Iambi, and lyric poems, Volume II features Hecale, Hymns, and Epigrams, and Volume III comprises miscellaneous epics, elegies, fragments, testimonia, concordances, and a comprehensive index. The Greek text primarily relies on Pfeiffers, but it has been enriched by subsequently published papyri and the expertise of later editors. The notes and annotations in this edition are thoroughly informed by the latest scholarship in the field.

Callimachus' legacy as a scholar-poet continues to resonate, inspiring generations of writers and scholars with his profound insights and artistic brilliance. His contributions to literature, science, and culture have left an indelible mark on the world, and his works continue to be studied and celebrated for their enduring value.

Dimension: 162 x 108 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674997493