Simonides on the Persian Wars: A Study of the Elegiac Verses of the "New Simonides"

📘 Book Details

• Author: Kowerski, Lawrence M.

• Publisher: Routledge

• Language: English

• Edition: Reprint

• ISBN: 9780415651707

• Pages: 241

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches

📝 About the Book

In this scholarly and thought-provoking work, Kowerski, Lawrence M. examines the significance of the recently discovered “new Simonides” fragments and their implications for our understanding of ancient Greek elegiac poetry. The current academic consensus holds that these fragments represent three distinct elegies commemorating the Persian Wars—specifically the battles of Artemisium, Salamis, and Plataea.

However, Kowerski challenges this prevailing interpretation by rigorously analyzing the textual and historical evidence. Through a careful reassessment of the fragments, he raises critical questions about the structure, coherence, and intent of these compositions. The study not only reevaluates Simonides' poetic role in shaping the collective memory of the Persian Wars but also contributes to broader debates surrounding classical historiography, poetic tradition, and the transmission of ancient texts.

This book is an essential read for students, scholars, and enthusiasts of classical studies, Greek literature, and historical poetics. With meticulous research and accessible commentary, it offers new insights into the legacy of Simonides and the literary culture of ancient Greece.