{"title":"Aelian","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAelian\u003c\/strong\u003e offers a unique window into the classical world through vivid anecdotes and observations. His works blend history, nature, and philosophy, inviting readers to explore the rich tapestry of ancient arts and culture with a captivating narrative style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOften intertwined with the writings of contemporaries like Alciphron and Philostratus, Aelian’s texts provide thoughtful reflections on human character and the natural world, perfect for those interested in the enduring legacy of classical antiquity.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"alciphron-aelian-philostratus-by-philostratus-9780674994218","title":"Alciphron. Aelian. Philostratus","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003eLetters\u003c\/em\u003e of Alciphron (second century CE) constitute one of the most attractive products of the Second Sophistic. They are fictitious compositions based on an astonishingly wide variety of circumstances, though the theme of erotic love is constantly sounded. The imagination shown by the author and his convincing realism win him a place of distinction in the early development of romantic prose. The letters, which are highly literary, owing much to the New Comedy of Menander, purport to give us a sketch of the social life of Athens in the fourth century BCE.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe collection is arranged in four divisions: Letters of Fishermen; Farmers; Parasites; Courtesans. Senders and addressees are mostly invented characters, but in the last section Alciphron presents us with several attempts at historical fiction, the most engaging being an exchange of letters between Menander and Glycera.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis volume also includes twenty \u003cem\u003eLetters of Farmers\u003c\/em\u003e ascribed to Aelian (c. 170–235 CE) and a collection of seventy-three \u003cem\u003eErotic Epistles\u003c\/em\u003e of Philostratus (probably Flavius of that name, also born c. 170 CE). In style and subject matter these resemble those of Alciphron, by whom they may have been influenced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47595660673260,"sku":"9780674994218","price":59.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780674994218-alciphron-aelian-philostratus.jpg?v=1777899412"},{"product_id":"historical-miscellany-by-aelian-9780674995352","title":"Historical Miscellany","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAelian's \u003cem\u003eHistorical Miscellany\u003c\/em\u003e is a pleasurable example of light reading for Romans of the early third century. Offering engaging anecdotes about historical figures, retellings of legendary events, and enjoyable descriptive pieces, Aelian's collection of nuggets and narratives appealed to a wide reading public.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHere then are anecdotes about the famous Greek philosophers, poets, historians, and playwrights; myths instructively retold; moralizing tales about heroes and rulers, athletes and wise men; reports about food and drink, different styles in dress, lovers, gift-giving, entertainments, religious beliefs, and death customs; and comments on Greek painting. Some of the information is not preserved in any other source.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUnderlying it all are Aelian's Stoic ideals as well as this Roman's great admiration for the culture of the Greeks (whose language he borrowed for his writings).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47596585091308,"sku":"9780674995352","price":59.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/910148b874311c0c0d97225adabce041.jpg?v=1777941068"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/aelian.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}