Geography, Topography, Landscape: Configurations of Space in Greek and Roman Epic (Trends in Classics - Supplementary Volumes, 22)

By introducing a multifaceted approach to epic geography, the editors of the volume wish to provide a critical assessment of spatial perception, of its repercussions on shaping narrative as well as of its discursive traits and cultural contexts. Taking the genre-specific boundaries of Greco-Roman epic poetry as a case in point, a team of international scholars examines issues that lie at the heart of modern criticism on human geography. Modern and ancient discourse on space representations revolves around the nation-shaping force of geography, the gendered dynamics of landscapes, the topography of isolation and integration, the politics of imperialism, globalization, environmentalism as well as the power of language and narrative to turn space into place. One of the major aims of the volume is to show that the world of the Classics is not just the origin, but the essence of current debates on spatial constructions and reconstructions. This collection of essays explores how epic narratives negotiate, define, and transform genre-specific geographical configurations. A team of international scholars engages in an interdisciplinary discussion about how Greek and Roman epic poetry interacts with the historical and cultural dynamics of geography. The book brings together the world of Classical literature with current trends in examining the politics of spatial constructions. Marios Skempis and Ioannis Ziogas: Introduction: Putting Epic Space in Context Johannes Haubold: Ethnography in the Iliad Alex Purves: Thick Description. From Auerbach to the Boar’s Lair (Od. 19.388–475) Donald Lateiner: Homer’s Social-Psychological Spaces and Places Anthony T. Edwards: The Ethical Geography of Hesiod’s Works and Days Kirk Ormand: Uncertain Geographies of Female Desire in the Hesiodic Catalogue: Atalanta Evina Sistakou: Mapping Counterfactuality in Apollonius’ Argonautica Katerina Carvounis: Landscape Markers and Time in Quintus’ Posthomerica Robert Shorrock: Crossing the Hydaspes. Nonnus’ Dionysiaca and the Boundaries of Epic Jackie Elliott: Space and Geography in Ennius’ Annales Stratis Kyriakidis: From Delos to Latium. Wandering in the Unknown Marios Skempis: Phenomenology of Space, Place Names and Colonization in the ‘Caieta-Circe’ Sequence of Aeneid 7 Ioannis Ziogas: The Topography of Epic Narrative in Ovid’s Metamorphoses Alison Keith: Ovidian Geographies in Flavian Mythological Epic Ruth Parkes: The Long Road to Thebes. The Geography of Journeys in Statius’ Thebaid Helen Slaney: The Voyage of Rediscovery. Consuming Global Space in Valerius Flaccus’ Argonautica Gesine Manuwald: Valerius Flaccus’ Argonautica. The Argo’s Maiden Voyage from Europe into the Unknown Bibliography List of Contributors Index rerum et nominum Index locorum

By introducing a multifaceted approach to epic geography, the editors of the volume wish to provide a critical assessment of spatial perception, of its repercussions on shaping narrative as well as of its discursive traits and cultural contexts. Taking the genre-specific boundaries of Greco-Roman epic poetry as a case in point, a team of international scholars examines issues that lie at the heart of modern criticism on human geography. Modern and ancient discourse on space representations revolves around the nation-shaping force of geography, the gendered dynamics of landscapes, the topography of isolation and integration, the politics of imperialism, globalization, environmentalism as well as the power of language and narrative to turn space into place. One of the major aims of the volume is to show that the world of the Classics is not just the origin, but the essence of current debates on spatial constructions and reconstructions.