Lykophron: Alexandra
Lykophron: Alexandra

Author: Lykophron

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2022-11-03

Total Pages: 193

ISBN-13: 0198863349

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'In requital for one man's sin, all Greece/ shall mourn the empty tombs of ten thousand of its children'. These lines from a powerful but neglected Greek poem, Lykophron's Alexandra, were admiringly imitated by Virgil. Priam's beautiful daughter, prophetic Kassandra, foresees her rape in Athena's temple by the hateful Greek Ajax at Troy's fall, and warns of disastrous returns (nostoi) for all the Greek 'heroes'. But Troy will rise again as Rome, founded by Trojan refugees. The Alexandra (also known as Kassandra) narrates Mediterranean foundation myths as failed Greek nostoi, and culminates in 'prophecies-after-the-event' of Roman rule over land and sea. This pseudonymous poem, a generic mix but closest to tragedy, is an ingeniously constructed masterpiece. It is ascribed to a third-century BCE tragedian, but was probably written c.190, when Rome had defeated Carthaginian Hannibal and was poised to humble the Seleukid king Antiochos III. The Alexandra anticipates, by over two millennia, modern Trojan War novels which adopt bitterly disillusioned female perspectives.

The Alexandra of Lycophron
The Alexandra of Lycophron

Author: Charles McNelis

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2016-04-21

Total Pages: 296

ISBN-13: 0191088587

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This monograph is a literary study of Lycophron's Alexandra, whose obscurity, a quality notorious already in antiquity, has long hampered holistic approaches. Through a series of distinct but closely integrated literary studies of major aspects of the poem, including its style, its engagement with the traditions of epic and tragedy, and it's treatment of heroism and of the gods, the book explores the way the Alexandra reconfigures Greek mythology. In particular, as it is presented in Homeric epic and Athenian tragedy, in order to cast the Romans and their restoration of Trojan glory as the ultimate telos of history. In this sense, the poem emerges as an important intermediary between Homeric epic and Latin poetry, particularly Vergil's Aeneid. By rewriting specific features of the epic and tragic traditions, the Alexandra denies to Greek heroes the glory that was the traditional compensation for their suffering, while at the same time attributing to Cassandra's Trojan family honours framed in the traditional language of Greek heroism. In this sense, the figure of Cassandra, a prophetess traditionally gifted with the power of foresight but denied credibility, self-reflexively serves as a vehicle for exploring the potentials and limitations of poetry.

Alexandra
Alexandra

Author: Lycophron

Publisher:

Published: 2015

Total Pages: 651

ISBN-13: 019957670X

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The Alexandra attributed to Lykophron is a minor poetic masterpiece. At 1474 lines, it is one of the most important and notoriously difficult Greek poems dating from the Hellenistic period (most likely the early second century BC). Most of the poem purports to be a prophecy by the mythical Trojan princess, Kassandra, the most beautiful of the daughters of King Priam, and her prophecy ranges from the Trojan War to the Roman defeat of Macedon in 197 BC, which took place in the poet's own time. The poem's importance arises from the light which it sheds on Greek religion (in particular the role of women), on foundation myths and myths of colonial identity, and on local - especially Italian - cults and cult places. The difficulty of the poem stems from its unusual vocabulary - many words of ancient Greek are found only in this poem - and the riddling and indirect way in which most of the many mythological characters are introduced. As well as providing the Greek text in full and its English translation, this volume provides the first ever full-length commentary in English on the poem.

The Alexandra of Lycophron (Illustrated)
The Alexandra of Lycophron (Illustrated)

Author: Lycophron of Chalcis

Publisher: Delphi Classics

Published: 2022-08-10

Total Pages: 354

ISBN-13: 1801700761

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A contemporary of Callimachus in Alexandria, the tragic poet Lycophron of Chalcis attained the status of supervisor of the comedies in the new library. The only extant work (contested by some) by Lycophron is ‘Alexandra’, a mini-epic poem, narrated by King Priam’s daughter Cassandra as a prophecy, relating the later fortunes of Troy and the Greek and Trojan heroes. It is a curiosity of Hellenic literature, showcasing an extraordinary knowledge of obscure stories, names and words. Delphi’s Ancient Classics series provides eReaders with the wisdom of the Classical world, with both English translations and the original Greek texts. This eBook presents Lycophron’s complete extant works, with illustrations, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Lycophron's life and work * Features the complete extant works of Lycophron, in both English translation and the original Greek * Concise introduction to the text * Provides A. W. Mair’s 1921 translation, previously appearing in the Loeb Classical Library edition of Lycophron * Features Mair’s comprehensive footnotes (fully-hyperlinked) * Excellent formatting of the texts * Easily locate the sections you want to read with individual contents tables * Provides a special dual English and Greek text, allowing readers to compare the sections paragraph by paragraph — ideal for students * Features a bonus biography — discover Lycophron's ancient world Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to explore our range of Ancient Classics titles or buy the entire series as a Super Set CONTENTS: The Translation Alexandra The Greek Text Contents of the Greek Text The Dual Text Dual Greek and English Text The Biography Lycophron (1921) by A. W. Mair Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles

Lykophron's Alexandra, Rome, and the Hellenistic World
Lykophron's Alexandra, Rome, and the Hellenistic World

Author: Simon Hornblower

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2018

Total Pages: 279

ISBN-13: 0198723687

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The 'Alexandra' attributed to Lykophron is a notoriously difficult poem but one that sheds crucial light on Greek religion, foundation myths, and myths of colonial identity. This book asserts its importance as a strongly political and historical document, and argues that the probable decade of its composition was a turning-point in Roman history.

Greek Tragedy After the Fifth Century
Greek Tragedy After the Fifth Century

Author: Vayos Liapis

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2019

Total Pages: 431

ISBN-13: 1107038553

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What happened to Greek tragedy after the death of Euripides? This book provides some answers, and a broad historical overview.