Poetics and Religion in Pindar

Ambits of Performance and Cult

Agis Marinis (University of Patras, Greece)

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Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Routledge
13 August 2024

Literary studies: classical, early & medieval; Literary studies: poetry & poets; Ancient history: to c 500 CE; Ancient religions & mythologies

Series: Routledge Monographs in Classical Studies

This book delves into the intricate and, as argued, essential relationship between poetics and religion in Pindar. It explores how performance, cult, and religious attitudes intersect, offering readers a nuanced approach to Pindaric poetry concerning the relationship between mortals and the divine.

Marinis approaches the world of Pindaric poetry within its historical context, enabling readers to explore the cultural and religious foundations of Pindar’s lyric verse. The chapters examine both epinician poetry and cultic songs, the two major genres of the Pindaric corpus. This monograph focuses on the interconnectedness of poetics and religion, a central question that is essential for understanding the distinctive nature of Pindaric poetry. It examines the diverse ways in which Pindaric poetic tropes intersect with religious themes through detailed analysis and scholarly research. Readers gain an understanding of the significance of performance and cult in the public enactment of Pindar’s works, exploring the relations between mortals – the composer of the song, its performer, and the victor in the case of epinician poetry – and the divine, highlighting the complexities of ancient Greek literature regarding religious practices and attitudes. Through its rigorous examination of Pindaric poetics and religious themes, this book offers readers a profound insight into the religious dimensions of ancient Greek poetry and the enduring legacy of Pindar’s oeuvre.

Poetics and Religion in Pindar is suitable for scholars and students working on ancient Greek literature, particularly the works of Pindar and lyric poetry, as well as those interested in classical literature and ancient Greek religion and culture more broadly.

By: Agis Marinis (University of Patras Greece)
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781138090170
ISBN 10: 1138090174
Series: Routledge Monographs in Classical Studies
Pages: 214
Publication Date: 13 August 2024
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Introduction; 1. Κῶμος and Ὕμνος: Generic and performative aspects of the epinician; 2. The poet and the Muses; 3. Poetic inspiration and the divine world; 4. The poetic enactment of panhellenic religion; Concluding reflections.

Agis Marinis (PhD Cantab.) is Associate Professor of Greek Philology and Drama (University of Patras, Greece). His scholarly focus includes Pindaric poetry, as well as Greek tragedy and its reception, with particular emphasis on Aeschylus. He co-edited Elements of Tragedy in Flavian Epic (2021).