DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

Greek Epigram in the Roman Empire

Martial's Forgotten Rivals

Gideon Nisbet author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Published:11th Dec '03

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Greek Epigram in the Roman Empire cover

Satirical, or 'skoptic', epigram emerged as a distinctive new sub-genre of Greek literature in the Roman empire (the mid-first century CE) and flourished for at least a century. It was imitated by Martial, but it is now rarely read. In this book, the first substantial treatment of the subject, Gideon Nisbet rehabilitates skoptic epigram, introduces its authors, gives an account of its 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.

...a welcome contribution in pointing out the diversity among 'minor' authors, revealing the many layers hidden in an apparently simple lampoon-epigram, and analysing the ideology and cultural issues underlying the genre. * Silvia Barbantani, Journal Of Hellenic Studies 126 *
The book provides a welcome...introduction to material little (if at all) known to most of us * Malcolm Heath, Greece and Rome *
Nisbet's discussions of individual epigrams are often perceptive and stimulating. * The Journal of Classics Teaching *

ISBN: 9780199263370

Dimensions: 224mm x 145mm x 21mm

Weight: 420g

256 pages