Ancient, classical and medieval texts Books

Book Synopsis13-14c Norse versions of French narratives of Arthur's knights, with modern prose translations. The Knights of the Round Table is devoted to translations and adaptations of French narratives featuring King Arthur's knights. It contains prose translations of three of Chrétien de Troyes's Arthurian romances, including atranslation of Perceval. Erex saga diverges considerably in content and structure from the French source and most likely represents a thorough revision by an Icelander of what was originally a Norwegian translation.Additionally, the volume contains both an Old Norse translation and an Icelandic adaptation of the French Lai du cort mantel, the ribald story of a chastity-testing mantle at King Arthur's court. The translators are: MARIANNE E. KALINKE, KIRSTEN WOLF, HELEN MACLEAN and MATTHEW JAMES DRISCOLL Professor MARIANNE E. KALINKE teaches in the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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Book SynopsisFinal volume in three-volume set of translations of Arthurian romances from medieval Scandinavia. Hærra Ivan (Sir Ivan, the Knight with the Lion) is the first major work of fiction in Swedish, and an important Scandinavian example of Arthurian romance. The translation from the French original was carried out at the request of the German-born Queen Eufemia of Norway, a country with a richer literary culture than Sweden at the time: Hærra Ivan thus brought Continental, courtly culture to the then recently formalised Swedish feudal class. Last edited in 1931, the poem has been unjustly neglected in recent years; this edition and English translation, with introduction, will make it widely accessible to international scholars. Professor MARIANNE KALINKE teaches in the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; HENRIK WILLIAMS teaches in the Department of Scandinavian Languages at Uppsala University.

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Book SynopsisIn this new student introduction to a Greek tragedy, Isabelle Torrance looks at what makes Iphigenia among the Taurians a successful tragedy in ancient Greek terms, and how dramatic excitement is achieved through the exotic setting, the cast of characters, and the chorus. Assuming no knowledge of Greek, and with students in mind, the central themes of ethnicity and gender relations are examined to show how Euripides manipulates established stereotypes. The play was one of Aristotle’s favourites and his enthusiasm derived from the fact that, in spite of its ostensibly happy ending, the play presents the audience with an exquisitely constructed reversal of events: when Iphigenia recognizes that she has been about to sacrifice her long-lost brother, kin-murder is avoided and the plot turns into an escape drama. Other significant concerns of the play surround ritual and the gods, and these are discussed to highlight how the drama asks probing theological questions. Finally, the vast reception history of the play in a variety of genres, such as ancient comedy, Roman philosophy, European opera, and 20th century theatre, is sketched out from antiquity to the present day.Trade ReviewCondensing all this material in less than 130 pages and presenting it clearly without implications to facilitate understanding of even the most naive reader is a remarkable undertaking, and the result is certainly appreciable. * Bryn Mawr Classical Review *Table of ContentsPreface List of Illustrations 1. Setting, Action, Plot 2. Characters and Chorus 3. Ethnicity and Gender 4. Ritual and the Gods 5. Reception Glossary of Greek and Technical Terms Guide to Further Reading Selected Chronology Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisIn Book IV of Virgil's "Aeneid", one of the most studied books of that epic poem, Dido, queen of Carthage, is inflamed by love for Aeneas. The goddesses Juno and Venus plot to unite them, and their 'marriage' is consummated in a cave during a hunt. However, Jupiter sends Mercury to remind Aeneas of his duty, and the hero departs despite Dido's passionate pleas. At the end of the book, Dido commits suicide. This new edition of the Latin text of Book IV replaces the long-serving edition by Gould and Whiteley, making this book more accessible to today's students and taking account of the most recent scholarship and critical approaches to Virgil. It includes a substantial introduction, annotation to explain language and content, and a comprehensive vocabulary.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Historical background 2. Virgil’s life and writing 3. The Aeneid 4. Books 1-4: the Carthaginian episode 5. Virgil’s predecessors 6. Rome and Carthage 7. Dido and Aeneas 8. The gods 9. Similes in Book 4 10. Humour 11. Summary of books 5-12 12. Dido and Aeneas after Virgil 13. Metre general 14. Virgil’s use of metre and language Some reading Notes Aeneid IV: The Latin text Notes on the text Index I: Literary, grammatical and metrical terms Index II: Names in the text Index III: Other names Vocabulary Abbreviations

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Book SynopsisIn Book I of the "Aeneid", Aeneas is shipwrecked on the coast of North Africa, near where the Phoenician queen Dido is building a city that will become Carthage. Aeneas and Dido meet. Their doomed love is set against Aeneas' destiny as founding father of Rome. This new edition of the Latin text replaces the long-serving edition by Gould & Whiteley, making the book more accessible to today's students, setting it in its literary and historical context and taking account of the most recent scholarship and critical approaches to Virgil. It includes a substantial introduction, the Latin text, annotation to explain language and content, a glossary and a comprehensive vocabulary.Trade ReviewMaclennan’s commentary offers especially good coverage on the portions of Aeneid I included on the newly-pared-down Advanced Placement syllabus that goes into effect in 2012; this coverage, along with the affordable price, should make it possible for teachers to adopt the book with confidence. -- Matthew Carter, The University of Western Ontario, USA * Bryn Mawr Classical Review *Table of ContentsPreface Introduction 1. Tantae molis erat ... 2. The Aeneid and Roman history 3. Virgil’s life and writings 4. Virgil’s predecessors 5. Rome, Carthage and Dido 6. Summary of the Aeneid 7. The Aeneid after Virgil 8. Translating Virgil 9. Metre 10. Virgil’s use of metre and language 11. Reading Virgil Some reading Aeneid I: The Latin Text Notes on the Text Index 1: Literary, grammatical and metrical terms Index 2: Names etc. Vocabulary Abbreviations

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