Trojan Epic

Alan James is Senior Lecturer in Classics emeritus at the University of Sydney.

• PrefaceIntroductionThe Trojan Epic1. Penthesileia2. Memnon3. The Death of Achilles4. The Funeral Games of Achilles5. The Contest for the Armor of Achilles6. The Arrival of Eurypylos7. The Arrival of Neoptolemos8. The Death of Eurypylos9. The Arrival of Philoktetes10. The Death of Paris11. The Defense of Troy12. The Wooden Horse13. The Sack of Troy14. The Departure of the GreeksCritical SummaryCommentaryIndex of Names

James's accessible, lively rendition of Quintus's poem deserves to alter the face of ancient epic studies... He fuses a flexible and nuanced form of the ancient hexameter rhythm with contemporary idiom. His Posthomerica includes a superb introduction, lucid commentary, bibliography, index of the occurrence of proper names, and summaries of the action of each Book... A landmark publication. -- Edith Hall Times Literary Supplement 2005 Amazingly, the first full-scale introduction to Quintus and his poem in English. -- Martijn Cuypers Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2005 This third-century CE poem-which deals with the events surrounding Homer's Iliad and Odyssey-has been unfairly neglected and even denigrated by scholars more familiar with the Homeric epics. James attempts to rectify this situation in this comprehensive book. Choice 2005 Provides an excellent and accessible introduction, translation, and commentary for this neglected epic. -- Jean Alvares Classical Outlook 2006 Through J.'s industry and scholarship Quintus is served well in this volume, which will generate interest in the Trojan Epic and pave the way for a much-needed literary reappraisal. -- Katerina Carvounis Journal of Hellenic Studies 2006 Posthomerica clearly aims to be a work of scholarship. -- Robert Schmiel Mouseion: Journal of Classical Association of Canada 2006