This thesis explores how the elegiac poetry ascribed to the Greek poet Theognis of Megara was received by classical, Hellenistic and imperial Greek authors. It is primarily concerned with the reception of the Theognidea as 1) an exponent of a particular tradition, that of paraenetic discourse, and 2) an epitome of socio-intellectual exclusivist self-positioning. Accordingly, the study starts by looking at how the Theognidea place themselves in the tradition of paraenesis, namely how they are in dialogue with earlier and contemporary texts. It then turns to consider Theognidean elegy as an intertext for later texts. Overall, the thesis aims at both a re-assessment of the often-acknowledged didactic and gnomic character of Theognis’ poetry, and at an overarching illustration of how Theognis’ lines and persona are conceived of, received and repurposed throughout antiquity, from classical to imperial times.
Theognis Out of the Symposium: Studies in the Ancient Reception of the Theognidea
De Martin, S. (Author). 1 Apr 2021
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy