Quintus of Smyrna's 'Posthomerica': Writing Homer Under Rome

This collection provides a fresh collaborative interpretation of Quintus Smyrnaeus' Posthomerica, one of the most significant Greek epics composed during the Roman Empire. It employs novel literary, theoretical, and historical methodologies to pose fresh inquiries about this enigmatic and complex poet and reevaluate his significance in the cultural history of his era. The chapters highlight Quintus' pivotal position within the inherited epic tradition and his contribution to shaping the literary and identity politics of Late Antique society.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Posthomerica: A Literary and Cultural-Historical Analysis

Quintus Smyrnaeus' Posthomerica stands as a pivotal Greek epic penned during the flourishing era of the Roman Empire. This remarkable work connects Quintus with a vast array of ancient literature, encompassing historical, philosophical, dramatic, and rhetorical genres, as well as prosaic and poetic works. It departs from the localized study of specific aspects of the poem and instead aims to achieve a comprehensive understanding of this epoch of epic, as a corpus that engages in a dynamic dialogue with pressing issues of empire, literary inheritance, and cultural transformation.

Posthomerica intersects with the rapidly expanding field of study of Late Antique literature, as well as the growing interest in imperial Greek poetry, particularly its accounts of the sack of Troy, a story that continues to resonate in scholarly and public discourse. This collection presents a fresh and collaborative reading of Quintus Smyrnaeus' Posthomerica, aimed at shedding new light on this enigmatic and complex poet and reassessing his pivotal role in the cultural history of his time. By bringing together esteemed imperial epic scholars and emerging voices in this burgeoning field, the chapters in this book unveil Quintus' crucial place within the inherited epic tradition and his profound influence on shaping the literary and identity politics of Late Antique society.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474493598