The Epigrams of Philodemos

Introduction, Text, and Commentary

David Sider

This edition collects all the epigrams attributed to Epicurean philosopher and poet Philodemos of Gadara (ca. 110-40 BC). In editing these epigrams, Sider has reexamined several manuscripts of the Greek Anthology. Thirty-eight epigrams (three only doubtfully Philodemean, and two spurious) are printed in the original Greek and in English translation, with full critical apparatus and commentary. Sider also includes the text of a recently edited papyrus containing fragments of many known and newly discovered epigrams by Philodemos.

The Epigrams of Philodemos

Introduction, Text, and Commentary

David Sider

Description

This edition collects all the epigrams attributed to Epicurean philosopher and poet Philodemos of Gadara (ca. 110-40 BC). In editing these epigrams, Sider has reexamined several manuscripts of the Greek Anthology. Thirty-eight epigrams (three only doubtfully Philodemean, and two spurious) are printed in the original Greek and in English translation, with full critical apparatus and commentary. Sider also includes the text of a recently edited papyrus containing fragments of many known and newly discovered epigrams by Philodemos. In addition to the usual issues involved in editing a Classical poet--i.e. the poet's life, his use of meter, the epigrammatic tradition, and the place of the epigrams in the Greek Anthology--Sider's introduction considers the relationship between Philodemos' philosophy and poetry. He explains how the epigrams fit into the literary views expressed in Philodemos' On Poems and how they clashed with the Epicurean stance against the writing of poetry.

The Epigrams of Philodemos

Introduction, Text, and Commentary

David Sider

Reviews and Awards

"Will be both useful and provocative for scholars in a number of fields, ranging from philosophy to Augustan poetry. Sider illuminates not only the epigrams themselves, but a whole era in Greek and Roman literary history."--Nita Krevans, University of Minnesota

"A major contribution to the field, of general interest and a must-read for students of ancient poetry (especially Hellenistic poetry, including Roman poetry), literary criticism, ancient philosophy (especially, but not exclusively, Epicureanism), and Roman history (especially of the late Republic). It would be very unlikely to be superseded within the next century."--Dirk Obbink, Christ Church, Oxford