THE EPISODE IN OLYMPUS (ARGONAUTICA, 3. 1-166) AND ITS POETIC TRADITION Cover Image

APOLONIJO RODIEČIO ARGONAUTIKA. OLIMPO EPIZODAS (3. 1-166) IR JO POETINĖ TRADICIJA
THE EPISODE IN OLYMPUS (ARGONAUTICA, 3. 1-166) AND ITS POETIC TRADITION

Author(s): Audronė Kudulytė-Kairienė
Subject(s): Literary Texts
Published by: Vilniaus Universiteto Leidykla

Summary/Abstract: The article deals with the peculiar characteristics of the Argonautica, a Greek epic poem written by Apollonius Rhodius. Composed in the third century B.C., this poem is the only extant Greek epic of the Hellenistic age. Apollonius developed the classical traditions of the Homeric epic. The style and diction of the Argonautica are obviously on the model of Homer. The main focus of this article is on the episode in Olympus at the beginning of the third book of the Argonautica. This episode displays the most appealing characteristics of the Hellenistic poetry and is regarded as one of the best written and most memorable scenes of the Argonautica. The language of this episode is replete with allusions to Iliad an Odyssey, but the poet gives a new Alexandrian view of Olympus. Literary sources from which Apollonius Rhodius has taken some details are analysed as well. The conclusions are made that Eros of Apollonius Rhodius is a result of long development. The main features of Eros were sourced from archaic lyric. The influence of this episode on later Hellenistic poets like Bion, Moschus, Meleager, is mentioned.

  • Issue Year: 53/2011
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 56-66
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Lithuanian