The Early Greek Poets and Their Times

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UBC Press, Nov 1, 2011 - Poetry - 296 pages

This book brings a new approach to the study of the early Greek lyric poets. Instead of concentrating on the poetry as literature, Podlecki has chosen to examine the life and works of the leading poets of the eighth to fifth century B.C. in the context of the military and historical events of the period.

Ranging over the extent of the Greek world at this time, the book is a survey of the many poets who lived in widely scattered places, from Asia Minor in the east to Sicily in the west, who wrote in diffuse poetic idioms, and for varied audiences. Products of different historical and political backgrounds, these poets cannot be appreciated fully, or, in some cases, even understood without considering the milieu in which they lived. On the other hand, their poetry often casts new and interesting light on the historical currents of the archaic period of Greece.

Bridging the gap between history and literature, this book will greatly add to the appreciation of the works of these poets and broaden our knowledge of the historical currents and development of thought during this complex period.

 

Contents

Homer Hesiod and the Homeric Hymns
1
2 Archilochus Callinus and Mimnermus
30
3 Alcaeus and Sappho
62
4 Terpander Tyrtaeus and Alcman
89
5 Solon and Theognis
117
Stesichorus Ibycus and Xenophanes
152
7 Anacreon and Simonides
174
8 Pindar and Bacchylides
203
9 Conclusion
251
Further Reading
254
Index
267
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About the author (2011)

Anthony J. Podlecki is a professor of classics at the University of British Columbia.

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