Dionysiaca.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Whitmarsh, Tim.

Series:

Collected Imperial Greek Epics Series

Collected Imperial Greek Epics Series ; v.1

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource (727 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Berkeley : University of California Press, 2026.

Summary:

Nonnus of Panopolis's Dionysiaca is the longest and most ambitious epic poem to survive from Greco-Roman antiquity. Written by an Egyptian Christian in the fifth century CE, this stunning mythological adventure explores the birth, upbringing, exploits, and ultimate apotheosis of the god Dionysus, including his establishment of mystery cults, discovery of the vine, conquest of India, and troubling relationships with mortal women. Its 48 books offer a portrait, viewed through a Dionysiac lens, of pagan polytheism in its entirety, a multifaceted mythical system that, despite the Christianization of the Roman Empire, retained its grip on the imagination in Nonnus's day. This new translation renders Nonnus's extraordinary poetic achievement into elegant but accessible English. It includes a substantial introduction and an extensive glossary of names and places. The last great pagan epic of classical antiquity, the Dionysiaca contains unparalleled insights into late antique attitudes to religion, the Greek literary tradition, sexuality, race, and the body. It tells the richest story possible of the transition between the pagan epic tradition and late antique Christianity.

Contents:

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

The Periochae

Nonnus, Dionysiaca: Translated by Robert Shorrock (books 1-12), Camille Geisz (books 13-24), Mary Whitby (books 25-32), Tim Whitmarsh (books 33-40), and Berenice Verhelst (books 41-48)

Glossary.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

0-520-42647-9

OCLC:

1590773698