EUR  â¬200.40EUR  â¬167.00 excl. VAT
Quintus of Smyrnaâs Posthomerica
A Study of Heroic Characterization and Heroism
Series: - Mnemosyne, Supplements, Volume: 421
- Mnemosyne, Supplements, Late Antique Literature, Volume: 421
Author:
Quintus of Smyrnaâs Posthomerica (3rd century C.E.) is of great literary value to the field of Greek epic. It is a stylistic imitation of Homer and recounts what Iliad and Odyssey have left untold of the Trojan War. Tine Scheijnen offers the first linear study of this still little-known poem. Progressing from book 1 to 14, she focusses on key issues such as Homeric similes and characterization of heroes (especially Achilles and his son Neoptolemus). Ideologically, Quintus engages in a critical way with Homer, but possibly also Vergil, Triphiodorus and tragedy. Scheijnenâs work can be read as a thorough introduction to Quintusâ Posthomerica, while also offering new insights into Homer reception, the conception of heroes and heroism in Greek epic.
Tine Scheijnen, PhD (2016), Ghent University, is a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Literary Studies (Greek section) of that university. She studies the characterization of heroes and the construction of heroism in late antique and medieval literary texts.
"Im Mittelpunkt stehen Betrachtungen über das episch- heroische Heldenbild, und diese werden durchgehend mit der Methodik des intertextuellen bzw. intratextuellen Vergleichs durchgeführt (...) Sprachlich ist das Buch mit einer Sorgfalt gestaltet, die man selten in Werken mit so umfangreichen griechischen Zitaten findet" - Thomas Gärtner, in: BMCR 2019.06.46
"The book offers an introduction to the Posthomerica, Homeric reception in the epic, and current debates in Quintus scholarship. Scheijnen extensively references the views of other scholars, always making sure to deï¬ne her own position on the matter in question. (...) Scheijnenâs monograph is a product of the new road in Quintus Studies that accepts the presence of a versatility of ideological frameworks and frictions between different perspectives within the text. The analysis convinces one that Quintus is not just trying to be an alter Homerus but writes a literary work of his own, shaping the rich Trojan tradition in new ways that pose exciting questions for further exploration." - Baukje van den Berg, in: Medioevo greco 19 (2019)
"Die Verfasserin hat mit diesem Band eine willkommene Ergänzung zur Quintus-Forschung geleistet. (...) In kritischer Auseinandersetzung mit der bisherigen Forschungsliteratur zu den Posthomerica â sie hat die einschlägige Sekundärliteratur äuÃerst sorgfältig zusammengestellt â hat sie, mit Schwerpunkt auf dem literarischen Einfluss der homerischen Epen auf Quintus Smyrnaeus, in Bezug auf die Charakterisierung der Helden der Posthomerica viele Themen klargestellt und aufschlussreich behandelt." - Georgios P. Tsomis, in: Plekos 21 (2019)
"To begin: this is a beautifully produced and splendid book. Scheijnen provides a quasi-commentary on extensive sections of the epic, such that her book admirably encourages a constant reengagement with the text. (...) If there is a supreme virtue to Scheijen's book, it is her comprehensiveness. (...) In fine, those who already delight in Quintus' epic will be thrilled anew by Scheijnen's masterful work. Those who want to know more about the author of the "things Homer didn't tell" cannot do better for a reliable, well-documented introduction to the poem's major themes. Lastly, those who despise Quintus as an author scarcely to be bothered with would do well to let Scheijnen convince them otherwise. (...) Scheijen deserves first place for her reliable, sympathetic and detailed treatment of one of the last great surviving epics of antiquity." - Lee Fratantuono, Ohio Wesleyan University, in CJ-Online 2020.10.08.
"The book offers an introduction to the Posthomerica, Homeric reception in the epic, and current debates in Quintus scholarship. Scheijnen extensively references the views of other scholars, always making sure to deï¬ne her own position on the matter in question. (...) Scheijnenâs monograph is a product of the new road in Quintus Studies that accepts the presence of a versatility of ideological frameworks and frictions between different perspectives within the text. The analysis convinces one that Quintus is not just trying to be an alter Homerus but writes a literary work of his own, shaping the rich Trojan tradition in new ways that pose exciting questions for further exploration." - Baukje van den Berg, in: Medioevo greco 19 (2019)
"Die Verfasserin hat mit diesem Band eine willkommene Ergänzung zur Quintus-Forschung geleistet. (...) In kritischer Auseinandersetzung mit der bisherigen Forschungsliteratur zu den Posthomerica â sie hat die einschlägige Sekundärliteratur äuÃerst sorgfältig zusammengestellt â hat sie, mit Schwerpunkt auf dem literarischen Einfluss der homerischen Epen auf Quintus Smyrnaeus, in Bezug auf die Charakterisierung der Helden der Posthomerica viele Themen klargestellt und aufschlussreich behandelt." - Georgios P. Tsomis, in: Plekos 21 (2019)
"To begin: this is a beautifully produced and splendid book. Scheijnen provides a quasi-commentary on extensive sections of the epic, such that her book admirably encourages a constant reengagement with the text. (...) If there is a supreme virtue to Scheijen's book, it is her comprehensiveness. (...) In fine, those who already delight in Quintus' epic will be thrilled anew by Scheijnen's masterful work. Those who want to know more about the author of the "things Homer didn't tell" cannot do better for a reliable, well-documented introduction to the poem's major themes. Lastly, those who despise Quintus as an author scarcely to be bothered with would do well to let Scheijnen convince them otherwise. (...) Scheijen deserves first place for her reliable, sympathetic and detailed treatment of one of the last great surviving epics of antiquity." - Lee Fratantuono, Ohio Wesleyan University, in CJ-Online 2020.10.08.
Preface Acknowledgements Figures and Tables
1 Introduction â1.1âAbout the Posthomerica â1.2âFocus: Homeric Heroes and Heroism â1.3âApproach: Characters between Tradition and Plot Structure
2 Penthesilea and Memnon: Two Ways to Fight Achilles â2.1âPenthesilea âExcursus: Thersites â2.2âParallel Compositions â2.3âMemnon â2.4âTowards Posthomerica 3: a Sealed Fate
3 The Death and Inheritance of Achilles â3.1âAchilles: Iliadic power â3.2âAjax: Achilleic power â3.3âOdysseus: the Power of Speech â3.4âTowards a Posthomeric Future: Who Will Win?
4 Neoptolemus, a New Aeacid in the Field â4.1âGreat Expectations â4.2âMeet the Son of a Father â4.3âOverview: Whatâs in a Name? â4.4âTowards the Sack ⦠Rival Killed; Whatâs Next?
5 Reconsidering Heroic Tactics â5.1âChange of Plan, Recipe for Disaster? â5.2âHeroes, May the Force Be with You âExcursus: Neoptolemus in Triphiodorus â5.3âWhen a Plan Comes Together
6 Suffering Trojans, Victorious Achaeans â6.1âTerror in the Streets â6.2âThe Gift of Mercy â6.3âWhy Sack a City? â6.4âTowards Book 14: Unfinished Business
7 Heroic and Divine Power â7.1âThe Morning After â7.2âThe Holy Father â7.3âStormy Weather â7.4âThe End towards the Odyssey
Conclusion: Worthy of the Aeacids?
Bibliography Index
1 Introduction â1.1âAbout the Posthomerica â1.2âFocus: Homeric Heroes and Heroism â1.3âApproach: Characters between Tradition and Plot Structure
Part 1 Heroic Characters
2 Penthesilea and Memnon: Two Ways to Fight Achilles â2.1âPenthesilea âExcursus: Thersites â2.2âParallel Compositions â2.3âMemnon â2.4âTowards Posthomerica 3: a Sealed Fate
3 The Death and Inheritance of Achilles â3.1âAchilles: Iliadic power â3.2âAjax: Achilleic power â3.3âOdysseus: the Power of Speech â3.4âTowards a Posthomeric Future: Who Will Win?
4 Neoptolemus, a New Aeacid in the Field â4.1âGreat Expectations â4.2âMeet the Son of a Father â4.3âOverview: Whatâs in a Name? â4.4âTowards the Sack ⦠Rival Killed; Whatâs Next?
Part 2 Heroism and the Sack of Troy
5 Reconsidering Heroic Tactics â5.1âChange of Plan, Recipe for Disaster? â5.2âHeroes, May the Force Be with You âExcursus: Neoptolemus in Triphiodorus â5.3âWhen a Plan Comes Together
6 Suffering Trojans, Victorious Achaeans â6.1âTerror in the Streets â6.2âThe Gift of Mercy â6.3âWhy Sack a City? â6.4âTowards Book 14: Unfinished Business
7 Heroic and Divine Power â7.1âThe Morning After â7.2âThe Holy Father â7.3âStormy Weather â7.4âThe End towards the Odyssey
Conclusion: Worthy of the Aeacids?
Bibliography Index
Readers interested in getting a first introduction to Quintusâ Posthomerica, as well as advanced students and scholars concerned with Homer reception, heroic characterization and late antique epic in general.