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Greek Iambic Poetry: From the Seventh to the Fifth Centuries B.C. (Loeb Classical Library No. 259)

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Episcazon trimeter buffs will love it.

Greek Iambic Poetry: From the Seventh to the Fifth Centuries B.C. (Loeb Classical Library No. 259)
Douglas E. Gerber , Archilochus , Semonides , and Hipponax
Manufacturer: Loeb Classical Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0674995813

Book Description

The poetry of the archaic period that the Greeks called iambic is characterized by scornful criticism of friend and foe and by sexual license. The purpose of these poems is unclear, but they seem to have some connection with cult songs used in religious festivals--for example, those honoring Dionysus and Demeter. In this completely new Loeb Classical Library edition of early Greek iambic poetry, Douglas Gerber provides a faithful and fully annotated translation of the fragments that have come down to us.

Archilochus expressed himself in colorful and vigorous language. Famous throughout antiquity for his winged barbs, he is often considered the archetypal poet of blame. Other major poets in this volume are Semonides, best known for a long misogynistic poem describing ten types of wives; and Hipponax, who was much admired by the poets of Hellenistic Alexandria, in part for his depictions of the licentious and seamy side of society.

Customer Reviews:

Episcazon trimeter buffs will love it........2002-05-23

Previously Archilochus, in the Loeb library, was in the second volume of Greek Elegy and Iambus, which also contained Anacreon, with a rhyming translation. and a puzzling commentary on the Parian chronicle. This is more logical. You get Archilochus, follwed by Semonides, Hipponax, Annanius, Susarion, Hermippus, Scythinus, Diphilus, Panarces and Adespota, which should be more than enough for anyone. This also has a lot more obscenity, which is sometimes fun.
The two missing stars refer to the content of the poets rather than the scholarship or translation. You have to (well don't really have to) wade through stuff about the brachycatalectic lame tetrameter, also called the episcazon trimeter (bet you didn't know that before) which has a spondee in the last foot, instead of an iambus.
Some of Gerber's translations seem to make more sense than Edmonds's did. Where Edmonds had "In the spear is my kneaded bread" Gerber has "On board ship I kneaded barley bread" (still rather an unlikely activity).
I continue to be irritated about the way the Loeb Library deals with inscriptions. They are transcribed into lower case characters and the the editor tells us where they were published but not where (if anywhere) the original inscription can be seen.

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