Greek epigram in the Roman Empire
Greek epigram in the Roman Empire: Martial's forgotten rivals Gideon Nisbet
Publisher: Oxford ; Oxford University Press, 2003.
ISBN: 019926337X
DDC: 888.010209
LCC: PA6507
Summary:
"When Western culture says 'epigram', it usually means 'Martial' -
whether it knows it or not. For poets and their readers after
Martial, epigram was inescapably satirical. For students of
antiquity, satirical epigram has remained synonymous with its Roman
founder." "Yet Martial was not the first to write satirical epigram.
He was merely an innovator within Latin literature in the
time-honoured way, copying and adapting Greek models for a Roman
readership. Satirical or 'skoptic epigram had developed around the
time of Nero as a distinctive new sub-genre of Greek epigram,
addressing Greek concerns - including concerns about Roman power -
for a Greek readership. It went on to outlive its solitary Roman
imitator, and to reach new heights of topical satire in the second
century." "The Greek satirical poets have, however, been neglected by
classical scholarship. Rarely read, they are often dismissed as a
historical curiosity, or as crude forebears of Martial's Latin
genius. This book, the first substantial treatment of its kind,
redresses the balance. Gideon Nisbet rescues skoptic epigram from
obscurity, introduces its authors gives an account of its emergence
and development, and situates it within its cultural context. He also
suggests striking new ways of reading ancient epigram and examines
satire's engagement with gender, identity, and power."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes:
Includes bibliographical references (p. [214]-222) and indexes.
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