Introduction: Seleucid literature on the Hellenistic stage -- Mapping the realm -- Babylon, city of kings -- The Lock of Berenice: Seleucid crisis and Ptolemaic response -- Poets and politics at the court of Antiochus III -- Conclusion: The fame of the Seleucids.
Summary:
"This book aims to further our understanding of Seleucid literature, covering the period from Seleucus I to Antiochus III. Despite the historical importance of the Seleucid Empire during this time, little attention has been devoted to its literature. The works of authors affiliated with the Seleucid court have tended to be overshadowed by works coming out of Alexandria, emerging from the court of the Ptolemies, the main rivals of the Seleucids. This book makes two key points, both of which challenge the idea that "Alexandrian" literature is coterminous with Hellenistic literature as a whole. First, the book sets out to demonstrate that a distinctly Seleucid strand of writing emerged from the Seleucid court, characterized by shared perspectives and thematic concerns. Second, the book argues that Seleucid literature was significant on the wider Hellenistic stage. Specifically, it aims to show that the works of Seleucid authors influenced and provided counterpoints to writers based in Alexandria, including key figures such as Eratosthenes and Callimachus. For this reason, the literature of the Seleucids is not only interesting in its own right; it also provides an important reference point for further understanding of Hellenistic literature in general. These two points are worked out in four chapters, each focusing on a specific 'moment' in Seleucid history and the corresponding literature: the establishment of the Eastern borders under Seleucus I; the consolidation of a symbolical centre at Babylon; the crisis of the Third Syrian War under Seleucus II; the flourishing literary court of Antiochus III"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.