Research Catalog

Title

Life and letters in the ancient Greek world / John Muir.

Author

Muir, J. V. (John Victor)

Publication

London ; New York : Routledge, 2009.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xiii, 240 p. : map; 24 cm.

Summary

"From the first 'murderous symbols' scratched on a tablet instructing the recipient to kill the one who delivered it, to the letters of St Paul to the early Church, and to later literary experiments, this comprehensive study examines the range of letter-writing in the ancient Greek world. Containing extensive translated examples from both life and fiction, it looks at personal and private letters, providing a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people, letters used in administration and government, letters used as vehicles for the dissemination of philosophy and religion, and letters which played a part in the development of several literary genres. It considers the way in which letters were written and with what materials, how they were delivered, and how it is that, for certain limited periods and locations, so many of them have survived, and how they were rediscovered." "By placing these letters in their social, political and intellectual contexts, Life and Letters in the Ancient Greek World draws attention to both familiar topics, such as young soldiers writing home from basic training and the choice of flowers for a wedding, and more alien events, such as getting rid of baby girls and offhand attitudes to bereavement." "This is the first guide in English to provide commentary on such a broad range of letters and will be essential reading for anyone interested in the ancient Greek world."--BOOK JACKET.

Series Statement

Routledge monographs in classical studies

Uniform Title

Routledge monographs in classical studies.

Subjects

• Greek letters > History and criticism
• Letter writing, Classical

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. 224-230) and indexes.

Contents

Greek letters : an introduction -- Personal and family letters -- Business letters -- Letters of state -- The letter as tract -- Greek letters in the early Christian church -- Letters in Greek literature.

Call Number

JFE 12-4520

ISBN

• 9780203889527 (e-book)
• 0203889525 (e-book)
• 9780415391306 (hardback : alk. paper)
• 041539130X (hardback : alk. paper)

LCCN

2008016455

OCLC

613420726

Author

Muir, J. V. (John Victor)

Title

Life and letters in the ancient Greek world / John Muir.

Imprint

London ; New York : Routledge, 2009.

Series

Routledge monographs in classical studies

Routledge monographs in classical studies.

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (p. 224-230) and indexes.

Research Call Number

JFE 12-4520