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Poetics. Longinus: On the Sublime. Demetrius: On Style

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
This volume unites three foundational ancient Greek treatises on literature. Aristotle's Poetics explores the history, nature, and conventions of Greek tragedy, including details on poetic diction, with a reliable text and accessible translation by Stephen Halliwell. "Longinus'" On the Sublime, likely from the first century CE, analyses the concept of the sublime in writing, drawing on examples from Homer to Plato, with a revised text and new introduction by Donald A. Russell. On Style, attributed to Demetrius and dated to the second century BCE, examines four distinct literary styles, rendered anew by Doreen Innes with up-to-date scholarship and annotations.
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This work is ideal for scholars, students, and enthusiasts of classical literature, ancient criticism, and literary theory seeking a comprehensive and authoritative collection of seminal Greek literary treatises.

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In PoeticsAristotle (384 322 BCE) treats Greek tragedy and epic. The subject of On the Sublime, attributed to an (unidentifiable) Longinus and probably composed in the first century CE is greatness in writing. On Style, attributed to an (unidentifiable) Demetrius and perhaps composed in the second century BCE, analyzes four literary styles.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This volume brings together the three most influential ancient Greek treatises on literature. Aristotle's Poetics contains his treatment of Greek tragedy: its history, nature, and conventions, with details on poetic diction. Stephen Halliwell makes this seminal work newly accessible with a reliable text and a translation that is both accurate and readable. His authoritative introduction traces the work's debt to earlier theorists (especially Plato), its distinctive argument, and the reasons behind its enduring relevance.

The essay On the Sublime, usually attributed to Longinus (identity uncertain), was probably composed in the first century CE; its subject is the appreciation of greatness ("the sublime") in writing, with analysis of illustrative passages ranging from Homer and Sappho to Plato. In this edition, Donald A. Russell has revised and newly annotated the text and translation by W. Hamilton Fyfe, and supplied a new introduction.

The treatise On Style, ascribed to an (again unidentifiable) Demetrius, was perhaps composed during the second century BCE. It is notable particularly for its theory and analysis of four distinct styles (grand, elegant, plain, and forceful). Doreen Innes's fresh rendering of the work is based on the earlier Loeb translation by W. Rhys Roberts. Her new introduction and notes represent the latest scholarship.

Series: Loeb Classical Library

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Praised for surpassing its predecessor, the volume brings together leading scholars who provide clear, informative introductions accessible to both general readers and specialists. Reviewers commend its thorough revisions, scholarly depth, and elegant production, predicting it will be heavily used by students and scholars of classical literature.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780674995635

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 01 January 1995

Country: United States

Imprint: Harvard University Press

Illustration: Indexes

Contributors:

  • Translated by Stephen Halliwell
  • Translated by W. Hamilton Fyfe
  • Revised by Donald A. Russell
  • Translated by Doreen C. Innes
  • Translated by W. Rhys Roberts
  • Translated by Stephen Halliwell
  • Translated by W. Hamilton Fyfe
  • Revised by Donald A. Russell
  • Translated by Doreen C. Innes
  • Translated by W. Rhys Roberts

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 108.0mm

Height: 162.0mm

Weight: 386g

Pages: 544

About the Author

Stephen Halliwell is Professor of Greek at the University of St Andrews. Donald A. Russell is Emeritus Professor of Classical Literature, University of Oxford, and Emeritus Fellow of St. John's College, Oxford. Doreen C. Innes is a Fellow in Classics at St Hilda’s College, University of Oxford.

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