Sophron's Mimes

Sophron of Syracuse, who lived in Sicily in the late fifth/early fourth century BC, represents our only surviving example of classical Greek mime. The mimes (short playlets) are also an important example of the classical literary tradition outside Athens. The Greek text is based on the standard modern edition and a translation is provided.

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J. H. Hordern provides a text (based on Kassel and Austin's Poetae Comici Graeci text but with significant additions), translation, and detailed commentary on the surviving fragments of Sophron's mimes. The commentary deals with both literary and linguistic questions, but focuses particularly on Sophron's relationship with earlier traditions (for example, iambus) and his influence on later literature (for example, the work of Theocritus). A substantial introduction furnishes an overview of the biographical evidence, and discusses the vexed question of audience and performance, arguing that the mimes were essentially symposiac entertainment rather than stage performances. There is detailed discussion of Sophron's dialect and lexicon, the textual tradition, and his impact on post-classical literature.