In Her Own Words (Paperback)

Brian P. Sowers

ISBN 10: 0674987373 / ISBN 13: 9780674987371

Published by Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass, 2021

About this Item

Paperback. In Her Own Words: The Life and Poetry of Aelia Eudocia is the first full-length study to examine Eudocia's writings as a unified whole and to situate them within their wider fifth-century literary, social, and religious contexts. Responsible for over 3,000 lines of extant poetry, Eudocia is one of the best-preserved ancient female poets. Because she wrote in a literary mode frequently suppressed by proto-orthodox (male) leaders, much of her poetry does not survive, and what does survive remains understudied and underappreciated. This book represents a detailed investigation into Eudocia's works: her epigraphic poem in honor of the therapeutic bath at Hammat Gader, her Homeric cento-a poetic paraphrase of the Bible using lines from Homer-and her epic on the fictional magician-turned-Christian, Cyprian of Antioch.Reading her poetry as a whole and in context, Eudocia emerges as an exceptional author representing three unique late-antique communities: poets interested in preserving and transforming classical literature; Christians whose religious views positioned them outside and against traditional power structures; and women who challenged social, religious, and literary boundaries. Examining Aelia Eudocias writings as a unified whole and in context, Brian P. Sowers reveals an exceptional author representing three late-antique communities: poets interested in transforming classical literature; Christians positioned outside traditional power structures; and women who challenged social, religious, and literary boundaries. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780674987371

Bibliographic Details

• Title: In Her Own Words (Paperback)
• Publisher: Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass
• Publication Date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0674987373
• ISBN 13: 9780674987371
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

In Her Own Words: The Life and Poetry of Aelia Eudocia is the first full-length study to examine Eudocia’s writings as a unified whole and to situate them within their wider fifth-century literary, social, and religious contexts. Responsible for over 3,000 lines of extant poetry, Eudocia is one of the best-preserved ancient female poets. Because she wrote in a literary mode frequently suppressed by proto-orthodox (male) leaders, much of her poetry does not survive, and what does survive remains understudied and underappreciated. This book represents a detailed investigation into Eudocia’s works: her epigraphic poem in honor of the therapeutic bath at Hammat Gader, her Homeric cento―a poetic paraphrase of the Bible using lines from Homer―and her epic on the fictional magician-turned-Christian, Cyprian of Antioch.

Reading her poetry as a whole and in context, Eudocia emerges as an exceptional author representing three unique late-antique communities: poets interested in preserving and transforming classical literature; Christians whose religious views positioned them outside and against traditional power structures; and women who challenged social, religious, and literary boundaries.

About the Author

Brian P. Sowers is Assistant Professor of Classics at Brooklyn College, City University of New York.