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Dialogues of the Dead. Dialogues of the Sea-Gods. Dialogues of the Gods. Dialogues of the Courtesans

By Lucian
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( 197 ratings, 21 reviews)
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Dialogues of the Dead, Dialogues of the Sea-Gods, Dialogues of the Gods, and Dialogues of the Courtesans showcase Lucian's sharp wit and satirical style. Through these lively conversations, he explores themes of human folly, superstition, and the absurdities of traditional mythology with a humorous and cynical edge.
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Ideal for readers interested in classical literature, ancient satire, and the exploration of cultural myths through clever and entertaining dialogue.

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Lucian (c. 120 190 CE), apprentice sculptor then travelling rhetorician, settled in Athens and developed an original brand of satire. Notable for the Attic purity and elegance of his Greek and for literary versatility, he is famous chiefly for the lively, cynical wit of the dialogues in which he satirizes human folly, superstition, and hypocrisy.

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

Lucian (ca. 120–190 CE), the satirist from Samosata on the Euphrates, began his career as an apprentice sculptor. He later turned to rhetoric and became a successful travelling lecturer, visiting Italy and Gaul before settling in Athens, where he developed his original brand of satire. Late in life, he encountered financial difficulties and accepted an official post in Egypt.

Noted for the Attic purity and elegance of his Greek and his literary versatility, Lucian is primarily celebrated for the lively, cynical wit of his humorous dialogues, in which he satirises human folly, superstition, and hypocrisy. His primary goal was to amuse rather than instruct.

Among his best works are A True Story (the tallest of tall stories about a voyage to the moon), Dialogues of the Gods (a 'reductio ad absurdum' of traditional mythology), Dialogues of the Dead (on the vanity of human wishes), Philosophies for Sale (great philosophers of the past are auctioned off as slaves), The Fisherman (on the degeneracy of modern philosophers), The Carousal or Symposium (philosophers misbehave at a party), Timon (the problems of being rich), Twice Accused (Lucian's defence of his literary career) and, if by Lucian, The Ass (the amusing adventures of a man who is turned into an ass).

The Loeb Classical Library edition of Lucian is in eight volumes.

Series: Loeb Classical Library

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780674994751

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 01 January 1961

Country: United States

Imprint: Harvard University Press

Illustration: Index

Contributors:

  • Translated by M. D. Macleod
  • Translated by M. D. Macleod

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 108.0mm

Height: 162.0mm

Weight: 308g

Pages: 496

About the Author

Matthew Donald Macleod (1922–2010) was Lecturer in Classics at the University of Southampton.

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