Routledge Ancient Greek Literary Letters - Selections in Translation

Explore the origins of Western correspondence with Ancient Greek Literary Letters: Selections in Translation. Published by Routledge, this volume traces the history of letter writing from its earliest appearance in Homer's Iliad to its development as a distinct literary genre. For the ancient Greeks, letters were more than just communication; they served as the foundation for works of fiction and provided a formal structure for various types of poetry. Authored by Patricia Rosenmeyer, an expert on the history of the Greek letter, this collection brings together a representative selection of literary letters. Readers can examine diverse texts ranging from the works of Aelian and Alciphron to the writings of Philostratus and the attributed letters of Themist. This book provides a deep look at how historians and authors used letters to shape the literary landscape of ancient Greece, making it an essential resource for students and readers of classical history.