Greek Epic Fragments from the Seventh to the Fifth Centuries BC

Martin Litchfield West

Harvard University Press, 2003 - Epic poetry, Greek - 316 pages

Greek epics of the archaic period include poems that narrate a particular heroic episode or series of episodes and poems that recount the long-term history of families or peoples. They are an important source of mythological record. Here is a new text and translation of the examples of this poetry that have come down to us.

The heroic epic is represented by poems about Heracles and Theseus, and by two great epic cycles: the Theban Cycle, which tells of the failed assault on Thebes by the Seven and the subsequent successful assault by their sons; and the Trojan Cycle, which includes Cypria, Little Iliad, and The Sack of Ilion. Among the genealogical epics are poems in which Eumelus creates a prehistory for Corinth and Asius creates one for Samos. In presenting the extant fragments of these early epic poems, Martin West provides very helpful notes. His Introduction places the epics in historical context.

Contents

• Select Bibliography: 4
• THE TROJAN CYCLE: 12
• POEMS ON HERACLES AND THESEUS: 18

About the author

Martin Litchfield West, OM, FBA (1937-2015) was Professor of Greek at the University of London and Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Greek Epic Fragments from the Seventh to the Fifth Centuries BC; Issue 497 of Loeb classical library; Online access: Harvard University Loeb Classical Library; Volume 497 of The Loeb classical library. Greek authors
• Editor: Martin Litchfield West
• Translated by: Martin Litchfield West
• Compiled by: Martin Litchfield West
• Publisher: Harvard University Press, 2003
• Original from: the University of Michigan
• Digitized: Apr 11, 2008
• ISBN: 0674996054, 9780674996052
• Length: 316 pages