The Epigrams of Philodemos : Introduction, Text, and Commentary

This edition collects the epigrams attributed to Epicurean philosopher and poet Philodemos of Gadara (c.110-40 BC). In addition to his life, use of meter, the epigrammatic tradition, and their place in the Greek Anthology - it considers the relationship between his philosophy and poetry.

This edition collects all the epigrams attributed to Epicurean philosopher and poet Philodemos of Gadara (c.110-40 BC). In editing these epigrams, Sider has re-examined several manuscripts of the Greek Anthology. Thirty-eight epigrams (three only doubtfully Philodemean, and two spurious) are printed in the original Greek and in English translation, with full critical apparatus and commentary. Sider also includes the text of a recently edited papyrus containing fragments of many known and newly discovered epigrams by Philodemos. In addition to the usual issues involved in editing a Classical poet--i.e. the poet''s life, his use of meter, the epigrammatic tradition, and the place of the epigrams in the Greek Anthology--Sider''s introduction considers the relationship between Philodemos'' philosophy and poetry. He explains how the epigrams fit into the literary views expressed in Philodemos'' On Poems and how they clashed with the Epicurean stance against the writing of poetry.