Description
Scurrilous verse.
The poetry of the archaic period that the Greeks called iambic is characterized by scornful criticism of friend and foe and by sexual license. The purpose of these poems is unclear, but they seem to have some connection with cult songs used in religious festivals-for example, those honoring Dionysus and Demeter. In this completely new Loeb Classical Library edition of early Greek iambic poetry, Douglas E. Gerber provides a faithful and fully annotated translation of the fragments that have come down to us.
Archilochus expressed himself in colorful and vigorous language. Famous throughout antiquity for his winged barbs, he is often considered the archetypal poet of blame. Other major poets in this volume are Semonides, best known for a long misogynistic poem describing ten types of wives; and Hipponax, who was much admired by the poets of Hellenistic Alexandria, in part for his depictions of the licentious and seamy side of society.
About the Author
Douglas E. Gerber is Fox Professor of Classical Studies, University of Western Ontario.
Reviews
Gerber successfully transmits both the letter and the spirit of the Greek, and his eloquent directness will be welcome to both scholars and students. -- Emily Katz Anhalt * Bryn Mawr Classical Review *
Gerber's texts and general scholarship, including helpful notes, are fully up-to-date, his presentation is lucid... and his translations are neat and accurate, as well as faithful to, for example, the obscenity of iambos (the era of euphemistic Loebs is over). These volumes form a fine complement to Campbell's Greek Lyric set; they deserve to be widely used. -- Stephen Halliwell * Greece and Rome *
Gerber has distilled an impressive amount of scholarship. That feat, together with the excellence of his translations, makes these volumes among the most distinguished of those recently issued. -- H. G. Edinger * Phoenix *
Book Information
ISBN 9780674995819
Author Douglas E. Gerber
Format Hardback
Page Count 560
Imprint LOEB
Publisher Harvard University Press
Weight(grams) 408g
Dimensions(mm) 162mm * 108mm * 28mm
