Blackwell Reference Online

Offering unparalleled scope, A Companion to Hellenistic Literature in 30 newly commissioned essays explores the social and intellectual contexts of the production of literature in the Hellenistic period, and examines the relationship between Hellenistic and earlier literature. The work covers the works of well-respected poets alongside lesser-known historical, philosophical, and scientific prose. Critical essays on the Jewish, Near Eastern, Egyptian, and Roman literature of the period explore the impact of the post-Alexandrian expansion of Hellenism on neighboring cultures and vice versa. In addition, serious attention is given throughout the book to Hellenistic texts which in surveys of Greek literature are rarely discussed within their historical context.

Structured in a clear and accessible style by two highly respected scholars, this Companion expands the way in which Hellenistic literature is perceived and studied. It is the ideal resource for scholars and students of Classics, Ancient History and Literature.