The Representation of Slavery in the Greek Novel: Resistance and Appropriation

This book explores how the five canonical Greek novels represent slaves and slavery, arguing for an ideological division between earlier novelists who challenge elite stereotypes and later novelists who affirm them. It suggests that the interests and needs of these authors and their readers shaped the emerging genre and made slavery a key motif.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive volume delves into the intricate portrayal of slavery and enslaved individuals in the five canonical Greek novels. Within these narratives, one or both elite protagonists find themselves subjected to the degrading institution of slavery, prompting Owens to examine the profound significance of the genre's consistent social depreciation of these privileged members of society. By contextualizing the novels within the prevailing social attitudes and stereotypes surrounding slaves, Owens posits an ideological divide within the genre. The earlier novelists, Xenophon of Ephesus and Chariton, challenge and undermine the elite's prevailing notions about slavery, suggesting that these authors and their readers may have included literate ex-slaves. The interests and needs of these authors and their readers played a pivotal role in shaping the emerging genre, not only by making slavery a central motif but also by elevating it to a thematic level that contributed to defining the genre's essence.

The Representation of Slavery in the Greek Novel holds immense appeal not only to students of ancient literature but also to scholars engaged in the study of slavery in the ancient world. It offers a rich and nuanced exploration of the complex dynamics between slaves and their oppressors, shedding light on the social, political, and cultural implications of this institution. Through meticulous analysis and thoughtful interpretation, this book provides valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of slavery and its enduring impact on ancient Greek society.

Weight: 470g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032337647