eBook

Beyond the Second Sophistic

Whitmarsh, Tim

2013,2019

Overview

The \"Second Sophistic\" traditionally refers to a period at the height of the Roman Empire's power that witnessed a flourishing of Greek rhetoric and oratory, and since the 19th century it has often been viewed as a defense of Hellenic civilization against the domination of Rome. This book proposes a very different model. Covering popular fiction, poetry and Greco-Jewish material, it argues for a rich, dynamic, and diverse culture, which cannot be reduced to a simple model of continuity. Shining new light on a series of playful, imaginative texts that are left out of the traditional accounts of Greek literature, Whitmarsh models a more adventurous, exploratory approach to later Greek culture. Beyond the Second Sophistic offers not only a new way of looking at Greek literature from 300 BCE onwards, but also a challenge to the Eurocentric, aristocratic constructions placed on the Greek heritage. Accessible and lively, it will appeal to students and scholars of Greek literature and culture, Hellenistic Judaism, world literature, and cultural theory.

• Publisher: University of California Press
• Subject: ancient literature / aristocratic constructions / classics / different model / diverse culture / engaging / exploratory approach / greco-jewish material / greek culture / greek heritage / Greek literature / Greek literature -- Rome -- History and criticism / greek oratory / greek rhetoric / hellenic civilization / hellenistic judaism / historical / HISTORY / HISTORY / Ancient / General / History and criticism / literary / LITERARY CRITICISM / Ancient & Classical / roman empire / Rome / second sophistic
• ISBN: 0520276817, 9780520276819, 0520957024, 9780520957022