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Herodes Atticus Reflected in Occasional Poetry of Antonine Athens

Skenteri, Foteini LU (2005) In Studia Graeca et Latina Lundesia 13.
Abstract
The occasional poetry of the Antonine period relating to the wealthy sophist and important second century AD political personality in Athens, Herodes Atticus, is studied. Some of the functions of poetry are illustrated, as it is used by one of the leading personalities of the Second Sophistic. This study differs from previous research in focusing totally on verse inscriptions connected with Herodes Atticus found in two different regions of the Roman Empire. Earlier studies treated these inscriptions almost exclusively as sources for Herodes? biography. In this study, the texts are also regarded as illustrations of the applications of occasional poetry in the contemporary society and of the manner in which Herodes exploited the poetic... (More)
The occasional poetry of the Antonine period relating to the wealthy sophist and important second century AD political personality in Athens, Herodes Atticus, is studied. Some of the functions of poetry are illustrated, as it is used by one of the leading personalities of the Second Sophistic. This study differs from previous research in focusing totally on verse inscriptions connected with Herodes Atticus found in two different regions of the Roman Empire. Earlier studies treated these inscriptions almost exclusively as sources for Herodes? biography. In this study, the texts are also regarded as illustrations of the applications of occasional poetry in the contemporary society and of the manner in which Herodes exploited the poetic medium in order to enhance his own person, family and endeavours. All the compositions discussed are poetic creations indited on particular occasions and carved on stone for public display; they have common characteristics, especially of style and language. Diverse aspects of Herodes? character are identified, as are various roles he adopted during his life: patron, husband and father. The authorship of the poems remains unresolved; however, it is argued that Herodes was deeply involved in their creation, whether as the sole originator, or as the commissioner in full control of the details. Herodes aim was to glorify his own position in Athenian society, to honour loved ones, or to express mourning. All the works convey the image Herodes had of himself, together with that he wished to portray to others. (Less)
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author
supervisor
opponent
  • docent Sironen, Erkki, Helsingfors universitet
organization
publishing date
type
Thesis
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Grekiska språket, Greek language, Humaniora, Humanities, ancient rhetoric, Menandros Rhetor, Kephisia, Avlona, Marathon, Triopion, epigraphy, inscriptions, occasional poetry, Antonine Athens, Herodes Atticus, Second Sophistic, Greek literature, Grekisk litteratur
in
Studia Graeca et Latina Lundesia
volume
13
pages
120 pages
publisher
Almqvist & Wiksell International
defense location
Humanisthusets hörsal, Språk- och litteraturcentrum, Helgonabacken 12, Lund
defense date
2005-12-17 10:15:00
ISSN
1100-7931
ISBN
91-22-02137-X
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
6a4e93dc-eda3-45ae-92c8-d4162b0e58fc (old id 24677)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 16:29:38
date last changed
2019-05-23 17:39:26
@phdthesis{6a4e93dc-eda3-45ae-92c8-d4162b0e58fc,
  abstract     = {{The occasional poetry of the Antonine period relating to the wealthy sophist and important second century AD political personality in Athens, Herodes Atticus, is studied. Some of the functions of poetry are illustrated, as it is used by one of the leading personalities of the Second Sophistic. This study differs from previous research in focusing totally on verse inscriptions connected with Herodes Atticus found in two different regions of the Roman Empire. Earlier studies treated these inscriptions almost exclusively as sources for Herodes? biography. In this study, the texts are also regarded as illustrations of the applications of occasional poetry in the contemporary society and of the manner in which Herodes exploited the poetic medium in order to enhance his own person, family and endeavours. All the compositions discussed are poetic creations indited on particular occasions and carved on stone for public display; they have common characteristics, especially of style and language. Diverse aspects of Herodes? character are identified, as are various roles he adopted during his life: patron, husband and father. The authorship of the poems remains unresolved; however, it is argued that Herodes was deeply involved in their creation, whether as the sole originator, or as the commissioner in full control of the details. Herodes aim was to glorify his own position in Athenian society, to honour loved ones, or to express mourning. All the works convey the image Herodes had of himself, together with that he wished to portray to others.}},
  author       = {{Skenteri, Foteini}},
  isbn         = {{91-22-02137-X}},
  issn         = {{1100-7931}},
  keywords     = {{Grekiska språket; Greek language; Humaniora; Humanities; ancient rhetoric; Menandros Rhetor; Kephisia; Avlona; Marathon; Triopion; epigraphy; inscriptions; occasional poetry; Antonine Athens; Herodes Atticus; Second Sophistic; Greek literature; Grekisk litteratur}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Almqvist & Wiksell International}},
  school       = {{Lund University}},
  series       = {{Studia Graeca et Latina Lundesia}},
  title        = {{Herodes Atticus Reflected in Occasional Poetry of Antonine Athens}},
  volume       = {{13}},
  year         = {{2005}},
}