Bion of Smyrna: The Fragments and the Adonis

by Bion of Smyrna, J.D. Reed (Editor)

The work of Bion of Smyrna, a Greek poet who lived about 100 BC, survives in seventeen fragments and the longer Epitaph on Adonis. In this edition, J. D. Reed presents a new Greek text of the poems together with a facing translation. The substantial introduction covers Bion's place in the literary tradition, his treatment of ritual and myth in the Adonis poem, his style, and the textual transmission. The full commentary investigates details arising from the texts, with an emphasis on linguistic and literary-historical issues.

Genres: Poetry

280 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 1997

About the author

Bion (Greek: Βίων) was an ancient Greek bucolic poet from Smyrna, probably active at the end of the second or beginning of the first century BC. He is named in the Suda as one of three canonical bucolic poets alongside Theocritus and Moschus. One long poem about Adonis and seventeen shorter fragments of his poetry survive.

Reviews

[Illiterate · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Adonis is fun if a bit overwrought. The fragments are often pastoral celebrations.

[Atticus · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title is no exaggeration - fragmentary it is undoubtedly - but what remains is sweet:

¨But seeing Heaven’s decree is, man shall live but once, and that for too brief a while to do all he would, then O how long shall we go thus miserably toiling and moiling, and how long shall we lavish our life upon getting and making, in the consuming desire for more wealth and yet more? Is it that we all forget that we are mortal and Fate hath allotted us so brief a span?¨

Not overmuch to say here, beyond that it was a worthy read.

read here: https://www.theoi.com/Text/Bion.html

[Jesus · Rating 4 out of 5]

¡Ha muerto el bello Adonis!