The Greek Anthology from Meleager to Planudes
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Oxford University Press
Published:29th Apr '93
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
The Greek Anthology is one of the great books of European literature, `a garden containing the flowers and weeds of 1500 years of Greek epigram'. This study adds a wealth of new information about its growth over an even longer period, from the earliest papyrus anthologies down to the rediscovery in 1606 of the Palatine Anthology (AP), our principal source for the entire history of the Greek epigram, from Simonides to the Byzantine age. It was a Byzantine schoolmaster, Constantine Cephalas, who excerpted all the major ancient collections in about 900. His work is reconstructed in this book from a close analysis of the Palatine Anthology at about 940 and the various later collections. Following a number of neglected clues, Professor Cameron identifies the compiler of AP as Constantine the Rhodian, and solves the mystery of the Manderings of AP during the Renaissance, showing that it once belonged to Sir Thomas More.
brilliant new book ... Cameron surveys the whole history ... [and] brings to it new finds, new research and a systematic rigour rarely seen before ... Large parts of Cameron's book consist of detailed analysis, crisply and lucidly set out ... But there is much more here than textual genealogy ... Even by Alan Cameron's standards, this is a tour de force of plenary learning and incisive intelligence. * Times Literary Supplement *
brilliant new book, Cameron brings to it new finds, new research and a systematic rigour rarely seen before.Large parts of Cameron's book consisit of detailed analysis, crisply and lucidly set out. Even by Alan Cameron's standards, this is a tour de force of plenary learning and incisive intelligence * Times Literary Supplement *
This is an immensely erudite study, with a very great deal that is new. Cameron himself calls it 'austere', but that fails to do justice to his patient pursuit and logical asessment of clue after clue, which have all the fascination of a good detective story. * Jenny March, Greece and Rome *
it is a book of great learning...this is a book of extraordinary learning. One is amazed at the chalcentery which drives Cameron to trace the intricate relations between the epitomes of Cephalas' anthology and its sources. It has never been done before, and he has many original things to say. There is at the moment no other remotely similar guide to the text. * W J Slater, Bryn Mawr Classical Review *
a study of the evolution of the Greek Anthology from its beginnings to the rediscovery of the Palatine Anthology in 1606. The theme is a vast and complicated one ... This lengthy book, written with verve and occasional flashes of humour, is a masterly treatment of the theme and is certain to be the standard work for a long time to come. By his exhaustive use of the evidence C. has illuminated the growth of the Greek Anthology as never before and by his probing questions and stimulating hypotheses has set the agenda for much future research in the field. * John A. Madden, University College, Galway, The Classical Revie, Volume XLIV, No. 2 1994 *
ISBN: 9780198140238
Dimensions: 224mm x 146mm x 30mm
Weight: 699g
432 pages