Description
Epic revels.
Nonnos of Panopolis in Egypt, who lived in the fifth century of our era, composed the last great epic poem of antiquity. The Dionysiaca, in forty-eight books, has for its chief theme the expedition of Dionysus against the Indians; but the poet contrives to include all the adventures of the god (as well as much other mythological lore) in a narrative that begins with chaos in heaven and ends with the apotheosis of Ariadne's crown. The wild ecstasy inspired by the god is certainly reflected in the poet's style, which is baroque, extravagant, and unrestrained. It seems that Nonnos was in later years converted to Christianity, for in marked contrast to the Dionysiaca, a poem dealing unreservedly with classical myths and redolent of a pagan outlook, there is extant and ascribed to him a hexameter paraphrase of the Gospel of John.
The Loeb Classical Library edition of the Dionysiaca is in three volumes.
About the Author
William Henry Denham Rouse (1863-1950) was Headmaster of the Perse School and a founding editor of the Loeb Classical Library.
Book Information
ISBN 9780674993914
Author Nonnos
Format Hardback
Page Count 560
Imprint LOEB
Publisher Harvard University Press
Weight(grams) 399g
