Dionysius: The Epic Fragments: 56 (Cambridge Classical Texts and Commentaries, Series Number 56)
Cambridge University Press, 11/26/2020
EAN 9781316631157, ISBN10: 131663115X
Paperback, 368 pages, 21.6 x 14 x 2.1 cm
Language: English
Originally published in English
The epic poet Dionysius, who probably flourished in the first century CE, is a key transitional figure in the history of Greek poetry, sharing stylistic and thematic tendencies with both the learned Hellenistic tradition and the monumental epic poetry of the later Roman period. His Bassarica is the earliest known poem on the conquest of India by the god Dionysus and was an important model of Nonnus' Dionysiaca. His Gigantias related the battle of the giants against the Olympian gods and legends surrounding it, with particular focus on the figure of Heracles. This is the most comprehensive edition to date of his poetry, expanding the number of fragments available and providing a more reliable text based on a fresh inspection of the papyri. The volume includes a substantial introduction contextualising the poetry, a facing English translation of the text, and a detailed linguistic and literary commentary.
Preface
Introduction
1. Dionysius' date
2. Ancient fortunes
3. Modern (mis)fortunes
4. Dionysius' Bassarica and Stephanus of Byzantium
5. Dionysius' Bassarica and Nonnus' Dionysiaca
6. Dionysus in India
7. Language and epic style
8. Metrical profile
9. Manuscripts
Remarks on editorial conventions and the presentation of the fragments
Sigla
The fragments of the Bassarica
text, critical apparatus, translation
1. Testimonia
2. Fragmenta geographica
3. Fragmenta papyracea
4. Fragmenta incerti carminis
5. Fragmenta dubia
Commentary
Appendix
the fragments of the Gigantias
Concordance of fragments
Bibliography
1. List of abbreviations
2. Works cited
Indexes
1. Index of Greek words
2. Index locorum
3. Index of subjects.