Fame and Infamy : Essays for Christopher Pelling on Characterization in Greek and Roman Biography and Historiography

Fame and Infamy considers the central question of characterization within Greek and Roman historiography and biography from a fresh perspective, combining close readings of texts of individual authors and overarching exploration into questions of how and why characterization in the ancient world evolves in the ways that it does.

Fame and Infamy honours Christopher Pelling, reflecting the range of his interests and demonstrating the extent of his influence in spearheading the so-called literary turn in the study of ancient historiography. The volumes twenty-four chapters are written by former pupils, graduate students, and close academic associates, themselves leading experts in their fields, from the UK and overseas. They consider the central question of characterization within Greek and Roman historiography and biography from a fresh perspective, combining close readings of texts of individual authors and overarching exploration into questions of how and why characterization in the ancient world evolves in the ways that it does. Spanning a wide period of time, and focusing on writers from both the Greek and Roman worlds -- from Herodotus to Cassius Dio, and from Cicero to Suetonius and beyond -- this volume will be essential reading for anyone interested in the evolution of the genres of historiography and biography in the ancient world.