Space and Time in Ancient Greek Narrative

Traces a shift in authorial perspective in ancient Greek narrative inspired by advances in cartography, travel, and geometry.

List of contents

Introduction: the perfect surveyor; 1. The Eusynoptic Iliad: visualizing space and movement in the poem; 2. Paths and measures: epic space and the Odyssey; 3. The world in the hand: Anaximander, Pherecydes, and the invention of cartography; 4. Map and narrative: Herodotus' Histories; 5. Losing the way home: Xenophon's Anabasis; 6. Finding (things at) home: Xenophon's Oeconomicus.

About the author

Alex Purves is Assistant Professor of Classics at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Summary

In this wide-ranging survey of ancient Greek narrative from archaic epic to classical prose, Alex Purves traces a shift in authorial perspective, from a godlike overview to the more focused outlook of human beings caught up in a developing plot, inspired by advances in cartography, travel, and geometry.

Product details

• Authors: Alex C. Purves
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 02.01.2014
• EAN: 9781107647909
• ISBN: 978-1-107-64790-9
• No. of pages: 286
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > Classical linguistics / literary studies; HISTORY / Ancient / General, Literary studies: classical, early & medieval, Classical history / classical civilisation, Ancient (Classical) Greek, Literary studies: ancient, classical and medieval