Ancient Epic (eBook)

Katherine Callen King is Professor of Classics and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Chronologies viii

Map x

Introduction 1

1 The Epic of Gilgamesh 14

2 The Context of Homeric Epic 33

3 The Iliad 52

4 The Odyssey 81

5 The Argonautika of Apollonios of Rhodes 106

6 The Context of Roman Epic 125

7 The Aeneid of Virgil 143

8 The Metamorphoses of Ovid 172

Appendix: Chart of Olympian Gods and their Akkadian Counterparts 189

Glossary of Greek and Latin terms 192

Index 193

"[King] also draws connections between the works so the reader can
see the epics in the context of their genre and historical period."
(CHOICE, February 2010) "Provides a comprehensive idea
[of] ancient epic, showing how this literary genre is not only an
invaluable cultural asset in itself, but the bearer of messages and
values far remote or dead ... .The brilliant and dense general
introduction identifies the preliminary concepts necessary to
address the overall theme of the book ... .Truly admirable
consistency [and] effort [for] a topic so broad and multifaceted.
The fact that the text is addressed to an audience of
non-specialists ... does not reduce ... the scope and
importance: on the contrary. Ancient Epic is the result of a
well-calibrated balance between methodological rigor [and] accuracy
of content ... .This volume, which deserves to be considered
among the best introductions to ancient epic appeared in recent
years, has all the characteristics to ... fascinate a very wide
number of readers (not necessarily native English speakers) who
want to know epic poetry." (Bryn Mawr Classical
Review, February 2010)

"If you already enjoy the Classical epics, you should read this
to challenge your assumptions. If you aren't familiar with
Classical epic, you should read this to learn about the topic.
Ancient Epic straddles beautifully the need to provide value
for people who have already read the epics and the needs of a
reader unacquainted with the genre." (N.S. Gill,
About.com)

"Katherine King has given us an immensely valuable volume on the
ancient epic. Well-balanced, informative, and perceptive, the work
provides a reference and over-view that both students and scholars
will read with profit and interest."

--Stephanie Nelson, Boston University