Quintus of Smyrna's Posthomerica : a study of heroic characterization and heroism / by Tine Scheijnen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Scheijnen, Tine, author.

Series:

Mnemosyne, bibliotheca classica Batava. Supplementum ; 421.

Mnemosyne, bibliotheca classica Batava. Supplementum. Late antique literature

Mnemosyne. Supplements. Late antique literature ; volume 421

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Quintus, Smyrnaeus, active 4th century. Posthomerica.

Quintus.

Epic poetry, Greek--History and criticism.

Epic poetry, Greek.

Posthomerica (Quintus, Smyrnaeus).

Genre:

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Physical Description:

xv, 393 pages : color charts ; 24 cm.

Other Title:

Posthomerica

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, [2018]

Summary:

Quintus of Smyrna's Posthomerica (3rd century C.E.) is of great literary value to the field of Greek epic. It is a stylistic imitation of Homer and recounts what Iliad and Odyssey have left untold of the Trojan War. Tine Scheijnen offers the first linear study of this still little-known poem. Progressing from book 1 to 14, she focusses on key issues such as Homeric similes and characterization of heroes (especially Achilles and his son Neoptolemus). Ideologically, Quintus engages in a critical way with Homer, but possibly also Vergil, Triphiodorus and tragedy. Scheijnen's work can be read as a thorough introduction to Quintus' Posthomerica, while also offering new insights into Homer reception, the conception of heroes and heroism in Greek epic.

Contents:

1.1 About the Posthomerica p. 1

1.1.1 Dating Quintus p. 1

1.1.2 The Epic in a Nutshell p. 4

1.1.3 The Path of Scholarship p. 11

1.2 Focus: Homeric Heroes and Heroism p. 16

1.2.1 Definition? p. 16

1.2.2 Key Principles p. 19

1.2.3 One Goal, Different Perspectives p. 23

1.3 Approach: Characters between Tradition and Plot Structure p. 28

1.3.1 Literary Influence p. 28

1.3.2 Narrative Composition p. 32

1.3.3 Constructing Characters p. 35

1.3.4 Homeric Similes p. 38

Part 1 Heroic Characters

2 Penthesilea and Memnon: Two Ways to Fight Achilles p. 45

2.1 Penthesilea p. 47

2.1.1 Arrival p. 47

2.1.2 Battle p. 53

2.1.3 Post Mortem p. 64

Excursus: Thersites p. 70

2.2 Parallel Compositions p. 77

2.3 Memnon p. 81

2.3.1 Arrival p. 81

2.3.2 Battle p. 85

2.3.3 Post Mortem p. 92

2.4 Towards Posthomerica 3: a Sealed Fate p. 93

3 The Death and Inheritance of Achilles p. 96

3.1 Achilles: Iliadic power p. 97

3.2 Ajax: Achilleic power p. 110

3.2.1 Next to Achilles: Homer and Posthomerica 1 p. 111

3.2.2 Over Achilles: Posthomerica 3 p. 113

3.2.3 After Achilles: Posthomerica 4 p. 123

3.3 Odysseus: the Power of Speech p. 131

3.3.1 Claiming to Be the Best p. 132

3.3.2 Arguing to Be the Best p. 138

3.3.3 The Winner Takes All p. 146

3.4 Towards a Posthomeric Future: Who Will Win? p. 153

4 Neoptolemus, a New Aeacid in the Field p. 156

4.1 Great Expectations p. 162

4.1.1 Looking Forward to Neoptolemus p. 162

4.1.2 Eurypylus: Looking Out for Neoptolemus p. 165

4.2 Meet the Son of a Father p. 178

4.2.1 Young Blood p. 178

4.2.2 The New Champion p. 192

4.2.3 In the Name of the Father p. 205

4.3 Overview: What's in a Name? p. 209

4.3.1 Kid p. 211

4.3.2 Neo-ptolemos p. 213

4.3.3 Junior p. 216

4.4 Towards the Sack ... Rival Killed; What's Next? p. 220

4.4.1 Not the Saviour after All? p. 220

4.4.2 A Sidekick Arrives p. 221

4.4.3 Through Trojan Eyes ... p. 223

Part 2 Heroism and the Sack of Troy

5 Reconsidering Heroic Tactics p. 229

5.1 Change of Plan, Recipe for Disaster? p. 231

5.2 Heroes, May the Force Be with You p. 244

Excursus: Neoptolemus in Triphiodorus p. 253

5.3 When a Plan Comes Together p. 255

5.3.1 The Heroic Shortlist p. 256

5.3.2 To Make a Name p. 261

6 Suffering Trojans, Victorious Achaeans p. 271

6.1 Terror in the Streets p. 273

6.1.1 The Risks of a Hangover p. 274

6.1.2 Hungry Wolves p. 279

6.2 The Gift of Mercy p. 289

6.2.1 An Old Supplicant p. 290

6.2.2 Two Old Supplicants p. 295

6.2.3 Three Victims of the Sack p. 302

6.3 Why Sack a City? p. 306

6.3.1 Is It Right? p. 306

6.3.2 How the Achaeans See It p. 310

6.4 Towards Book 14: Unfinished Business p. 313

7 Heroic and Divine Power p. 315

7.1 The Morning After p. 316

7.2 The Holy Father p. 322

7.2.1 Winged Words p. 322

7.2.2 A Heroic Sacrifice p. 337

7.2.3 Nostos Secured? p. 343

7.3 Stormy Weather p. 345

7.3.1 Better Not Anger the Gods p. 345

7.3.2 Titanic Stubbornness p. 349

7.3.3 Apocalypse Now? p. 353

7.4 The End: towards the Odyssey p. 356.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Other Format:

Online version: Scheijnen, Tine. Quintus of Smyrna's Posthomerica.

ISBN:

9789004373433

9004373438

OCLC:

1042115529