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  3. Solon and Early Greek Poetry
  • Cited by 42
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Online publication date:
November 2009
Print publication year:
2005
Online ISBN:
9780511482250
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511482250
Subjects:
Classical Studies, Classical Studies (General), Classical Literature
Series:
Cambridge Classical Studies
Information

Book description

The poetry of archaic Greece gives voice to the history and politics of the culture of that age. This 2005 book explores the types of history that have been, and can be, written from archaic Greek poetry, and the role this poetry had in articulating the social and political realities and ideologies of that period. In doing so, it pays particular attention to the stance of exhortation adopted in early Greek elegy, and to the political poetry of Solon. Part I of this study argues that the singing of elegiac paraenesis in the elite symposium reflects the attempt of symposiasts to assert a heroic identity for themselves within this wider polis community. Part II demonstrates how the elegy of Solon both confirms the existence of this elite practice, and subverts it; Part III looks beyond Solon's appropriations of poetic traditions to argue for another influence on Solon's political poetry, that of tyranny.

Reviews

Review of the hardback:'It is simply superb scholarship, impressively documented and combining to a rare degree both literary and historical/political aspects … To reveal all the many virtues of this splendid book would require a multi-page review. It must suffice to say that not only is Irwin's book important for understanding some of Solon's poetry and the political and social conditions in Athens during his lifetime, but also for much earlier poetry, especially Homer (with particular emphasis on the Odyssey), Hesiod and Tyrtaeus.'

Source: The Classical Review

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