Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley door pickup 10am - 7pm 3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
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  • Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
    Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm

    3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
    612-822-4611

Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
Horror in Ancient Greek and Roman Epic

Horror in Ancient Greek and Roman Epic

Brockliss, Will

Hardcover

Literary CriticismAncient History General

PREORDER - Expected ship date January 7, 2027

ISBN10: 1350466786
ISBN13: 9781350466784
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Published: Jan 7 2027
Pages: 256
Weight: 1.00
Height: 1.00 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English

By demonstrating the importance of horrific motifs to Greek and Roman epic, this book challenges existing conceptions of what an epic poem is and of what it means to engage with such a text. Taking the reader through both canonical and lesser-known ancient epic, Brockliss argues that, contrary to conventional readings, macabre themes are central to these texts. These poems dwell as much if not more on foul displays of human physicality as on depictions of a sublime heroism, prioritize psychological disturbance over tragic suffering, and set the intrusions of unquiet ghosts in tension with celebrations of the safely dead.

Alongside happy recollections of past glories, ancient epics offer readers a shocking and immersive experience that confronts them with the bare facts of human physiques and psychologies. Rather than focusing narrowly on the eminent achievements of a few, this book comprehensively demonstrates how horror in epic offers an egalitarian portrait of what makes us human.

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