Latin Poetry in the Ancient Greek Novels

This insightful study examines the connections between Greek imperial literature and Latin poetry, highlighting the importance of Latin works in shaping Greek narratives.

The book Latin Poetry in the Ancient Greek Novels delves into the intricate relationships between Greek imperial literature and Latin poetry, offering a comprehensive examination of how these two literary traditions intersected. This pioneering work serves as the first extensive study focusing on the influence and significance of Latin literature within the context of Greek literary culture during the imperial period. By challenging the prevailing notion that imperial Greek writers had little interest in Roman literary contributions, the author provides a fresh perspective on this cultural dynamic.

In Latin Poetry in the Ancient Greek Novels, the author argues that Latin poetry plays a vital role in understanding Greek literature, particularly in relation to themes of bilingual allusion and intertextuality. The analysis centers on three specific novels: Chariton's Chaereas and Callirhoe, Achilles Tatius' Clitophon and Leucippe, and Longus' Daphnis and Chloe. Each of these works is scrutinized for its references to Latin poetry and the broader implications of these allusions on literary and ideological levels.

By situating these novels within their cultural context, the book meticulously explores the individual strategies employed by each novelist when engaging with Latin poetic traditions. The insights presented in Latin Poetry in the Ancient Greek Novels not only illuminate the complexities of literary exchange during this era but also enrich our understanding of the broader cultural interactions that shaped the literature of the time.