Leonidas of Tarentum, Fifty-nine epigrams: text, translation, and commentary

Thesis

The present thesis is an edition with translation and commentary of 59 epigrams of the Hellenistic poet Leonidas of Tarentum. It starts with an Introduction which, after briefly tracing the history of the scholarly work on Leonidas, considers general aspects pertaining to his life, his work, and his poems. The transmission of text is outlined (medieval transmission, papyri, epigraphic evidence, quotations). Leonidas is then placed in his historical and cultural context and his potential links with historical figures and poets of the Hellenistic age are treated, as well as his reception in Antiquity. Lastly, his language and style are outlined, followed by observations on the metre of his poems. There follows the text, translation and commentaries of selected epigrams. These are chosen from three macro-categories (dedicatory, sepulchral and ‘miscellaneous’ epigrams) and are arranged according to their theme. Some general observations precede specific groups of epigrams. The commentary deals with all relevant aspects of the poems, such as text, interpretation, 'Realien', and matters of style, metre and diction.

Authors: Massimo, D

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-y5d0qna8o
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: epigram; Hellenistic Literature; Leonidas of Tarentum; Hellenistic Epigram; Hellenistic Poetry
• Subjects: Literature; Authors, Classical; Poetry