The Argonautika: The Story of Jason and the Quest for the Golden Fleece (Hellenistic Culture and Society) (Hardback)
$78.08 - Free delivery worldwide (to United States and
all these other countries) Usually dispatched within 72 hours | |Short Description for The Argonautika An epic of the Hellenistic era that tells of the tale of Jason and the Golden Fleece, probably the oldest extant Greek myth. It incorporates accounts of early exploration and colonizing ventures.
Full description- Publisher: University of California Press
- Published: 30 November 1997
- Format: Hardback 480 pages
- See: Full bibliographic data
- Categories: Poetry By Individual Poets | Prose: Non-fiction | Literary Studies: Classical, Early & Medieval | Literary Studies: Poetry & Poets
- ISBN 13: 9780520076860 ISBN 10: 0520076869
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Full description for The Argonautika
"The Argonautika", the only surviving epic of the Hellenistic era, is a retelling of the tale of Jason and the Golden Fleece, probably the oldest extant Greek myth. Jason, a young prince, is sent on a perilous expedition but comes through various ordeals with the aid of the king's daughter, Medeia, winning the golden fleece and carrying off Medeia herself. He is a very modern figure, not at all Achillean: almost an anti-hero. Along the way, the story incorporates vivid accounts of early exploration and colonizing ventures. Peter Green's lively, readable verse translation captures the swift narrative movement of Apollonios' epic Greek. Apollonios Rhodios (c. 305-235 B.C.), the author of the "Argonautika", was appointed Chief Librarian in the legendary library at Alexandria around 265 B.C. His first draft of this poem, composed when he was a very young man, drew scornful reactions from the literati of the day, Kallimachos in particular, who thought epic passe and long poems vulgar. Apollonios withdrew to the maritime island of Rhodes (his work is notable for its nautical expertise), where he hammered out the text as we know it today, returning to eventual success in the city that had rejected him. The compromise that resulted is a fascinating combination of age-old myth and modern treatment that produces a gripping and unforgettable narrative. Peter Green has translated this renowned poem with skill and wit, offering a refreshing interpretation of a timeless story. The cloth edition of the "Argonautika" includes Peter Green's lively and incisive commentary, the first on all four books since Mooney's in 1912. While clarifying text and background, the commentary takes full advantage throughout of the recent upsurge of scholarly interest in Apollonios. Alternate spelling: Argonautica, Apollonius Rhodius.
