Classical Literature: An Introduction

Classical Literature: An Introduction provides a series of essays on all the major authors of Greek and Latin literature, as well as on a number of writers less often read. An introductory chapter provides information on important general topics, such as poetic metres, patronage and symposia.

The literature is put in historical context, and the material is organized chronologically, but also by genre or author, as appropriate; each section or chapter has suggestions for further reading. The book ranges from Homer to the writers of the later Roman Empire, and includes a glossary, a chronology of literary and political events, and useful maps showing the origins of ancient writers. The collection will be essential for students and others who want a structured and informative introduction to the literature of the classical world.

Neil Croally is Head of Classics at Dulwich College, and has been a Principal Examiner and reviser for Ancient History A-level. Previous publications include Euripidean Polemic: The Trojan Women and the function of tragedy (1994), and ‘Tragedy’s teaching’ in The Blackwell’s Companion to Greek Tragedy (ed. Justina Gregory; 2005).

Roy Hyde was Head of Classics at University College School, Hampstead for twenty years, and has served as Chief Examiner for both Greek and Latin at A-level for many years. He has published Latin Unseen Translations (2002).