The Evolution of Greek Prose Style
Published on 7. August 1997
Book
Hardback
220 pages
978-0-19-814028-3 (ISBN)
Description
The transmission of literature in writing began in the Greek world with poetry; the publication of laws and regulations came later, and prose literature last, about 500 BC. This book examines the stages by which prose was turned into the sophisticated art-form practised in the fourth century BC, in particular by Plato and Demosthenes. An attempt is made to determine the linguistic conventions which can reasonably be attributed, on the analogy of other cultures, to unwritten narrative and oratory. The extent to which `content' and `form' can be separated is considered, and the stylistic choices which constitute form are treated as determining the relationship (e.g. of authority or familiarity) between creator and receiver and the balance sought by the creator between innovation and deference to the receiver's expectations.
Reviews / Votes
An extremely interesting and characteristically unconventional collection of pieces on Greek literary style by one of the greatest Hellenists of the post-war generation. The book is full of important methodological insight and interesting asides on the workings of the Greek language: and the author's own style is lively, imaginative, and direct... These essays tackle many important gaps in our approach to Greek prose, and in this sense the book may be regarded as a modern complement to Denniston. It is indispensible reading for anyone concerned with Greek prose style, and useful also for contextualizing the language of Greek poetry. * Stephen Colvin. Journal of Hellenistic Studies 119 1999. * this is a wonderful book, one that will be read and reread and consulted with profit for years to come. ... will both facilitate and encourage further research. The book itself is very well produced * Bryn Mawr Classical Review *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Oxford University Press
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
line figures, tables
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
453 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-814028-3 (9780198140283)
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Schweitzer Classification