A Commentary on Quintus of Smyrna Posthomerica V (Mnemosyne, Bibliotheca Classica Batava Supplementum)

The Posthomerica of Quintus of Smyrna is the only surviving Greek epic that gives a full narrative of the Trojan War between the Iliad and the Odyssey. Book V covers the contest between Ajax and Odysseus over the armour of Achilles, leading to Ajax' madness, suicide and funeral. The book gives balanced treatment to matters of text, language, literary qualities and sources. An introduction discusses the poem's main features. The commentary is punctuated by introductions to sections. There are indexes of subjects, ancient and mediaeval literature and Greek words. The work's major areas of interest are: influence of the Homeric epics, Quintus' use of later sources, the Trojan War in Greek and Latin literature, and Greek cultural history under the Roman Empire. This is the first full-length commentary on the book. A COMMENTARY ON QUINTUS OF SMYRNA POSTHOMERICA V......Page 3 CONTENTS......Page 5 Preface......Page 7 Abbreviations......Page 9 A - The Poem and its Date......Page 11 B - Book 5 and its Sources......Page 19 C - Beliefs and Interests......Page 21 D - Characterisation......Page 23 E - Narrative Technique......Page 26 F - Language and Style......Page 31 G - Formulae......Page 34 H - Metre......Page 40 1-120: The Arms of Achilles......Page 43 121-179: Introduction to the Contest......Page 78 180-317: The Debate between Ajax and Odysseus......Page 90 318-332: The Judgement and its Immediate Impact......Page 116 333-351: Prelude to the Night......Page 119 352-394: The Night of Ajax's Madness......Page 121 395-403: Dawn......Page 129 404-450: Ajax's Madness—the Slaughter of the Sheep......Page 131 451-486: Ajax's Recovery and Suicide......Page 137 487-663: The Mourning and Funeral of Ajax......Page 143 Bibliography......Page 169 Subjects......Page 171 Ancient and Mediaeval Literature......Page 174 Greek Words......Page 178 SUPPLEMENTS TO MNEMOSYNE......Page 183 A COMMENTARY ON QUINTUS OF SMYRNA POSTHOMERICA V 3 CONTENTS 5 Preface 7 Abbreviations 9 Introduction 11 A - The Poem and its Date 11 B - Book 5 and its Sources 19 C - Beliefs and Interests 21 D - Characterisation 23 E - Narrative Technique 26 F - Language and Style 31 G - Formulae 34 H - Metre 40 Commentary 43 1-120: The Arms of Achilles 43 121-179: Introduction to the Contest 78 180-317: The Debate between Ajax and Odysseus 90 318-332: The Judgement and its Immediate Impact 116 333-351: Prelude to the Night 119 352-394: The Night of Ajax's Madness 121 395-403: Dawn 129 404-450: Ajax's Madness—the Slaughter of the Sheep 131 451-486: Ajax's Recovery and Suicide 137 487-663: The Mourning and Funeral of Ajax 143 Bibliography 169 Indexes 171 Subjects 171 Ancient and Mediaeval Literature 174 Greek Words 178 SUPPLEMENTS TO MNEMOSYNE 183 The "Posthomerica of Quintus of Smyrna" is the only surviving Greek epic that gives a full narrative to the Trojan War between the Iliad and the Odyssey. Book V covers the contest between Ajax and Odysseus over the armour of Achilles, leading to Ajax's madness, suicide and funeral. This is a full-length commentary on the book. It aims to give balanced treatment to matters of text, language, literary qualities and sources. The volume's major areas of interest influence of the Homeric epics; Quintus's use of later sources, the Trojan War in Greek and Latin literature; and Greek cultural history under the Roman Empire. "The Posthomerica of Quintus of Smyrna is the only surviving Greek epic that gives a full narrative of the Trojan War between the Iliad and the Odyssey. Book V covers the contest between Ajax and Odysseus over the armour of Achilles, leading to Ajax' madness, suicide and funeral." "The work's major areas of interest are: influence of the Homeric epics, Quintus' use of later sources, the Trojan War in Greek and Latin literature, and Greek cultural history under the Roman Empire."--BOOK JACKET In this full-length commentary on book V of Quintus of Smyrna's Posthomerica - the contest between Ajax and Odysseus over the armour of Achilles, and Ajax' subsequent madness and suicide, a balanced treatment of text, language, literary qualities and sources, both Greek and latin, is provided. Preliminary Material -- INTRODUCTION -- COMMENTARY -- BIBLIOGRAPHY -- INDEX OF SUBJECTS -- INDEX OF ANCIENT AND MEDIAEVAL LITERATURE -- INDEX OF GREEK WORDS -- SUPPLEMENTS TO MNEMOSYNE /H. Pinkster , H.W. Pleket , C.J. Ruijgh , D.M. Schenkeveld and P.H. Schrijvers By Alan James And Kevin Lee. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [159]-160) And Indexes.