A Commentary on Quintus of Smyrna, Posthomerica V

by Alan James

The "Posthomerica of Quintus of Smyrna" is the only surviving Greek epic that gives a full narrative to the Trojan War between the Iliad and the Odyssey. Book V covers the contest between Ajax and Odysseus over the armour of Achilles, leading to Ajax's madness, suicide and funeral. This is a full-length commentary on the book. It aims to give balanced treatment to matters of text, language, literary qualities and sources. The volume's major areas of interest influence of the Homeric epics; Quintus's use of later sources, the Trojan War in Greek and Latin literature; and Greek cultural history under the Roman Empire.

184 pages, Leather Bound

First published May 1, 2000