GREEK NOVEL

Catalog description

(Cross-listed LITT 3201.) We will be reading and discussing ancient Greek Novels. These novels constitute an early form of fiction and, despite the fact that they form the basis of much of modern (especially love) fiction (or Romance as is widely known), they are frequently neglected. The Greek novel is a product of the Hellenistic period (post 2nd century BC). One of its most important characteristics is the combination of love stories with adventure and wanderings usually in exotic lands. In this course we will examine Hellenistic novels which are considered the core of the canon in this genre (Ethiopica by Heliodoros of Emesa, etc.).