| Writing and the Origins of Greek Literature Contributor(s): Powell, Barry B. (Author) |
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ISBN: 0521036313 ISBN-13: 9780521036313 Publisher: Cambridge University Press OUR PRICE: $47.49 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: April 2007 Annotation: The purpose of this book is to dispel misunderstanding about the genesis of the Homeric poems and other knotty problems in oral studies, such as the meaning of "orality," "literacy," "tradition," "memorization," and "text." The study is about the nature and history of writing--how it was used in the Ancient Near East, and especially in Greece, and its relationship to Homer. It suggests that a Semite invented the Greek alphabet, heir to an ancient bilingual Eastern tradition of recording poetry by dictation. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Literary Criticism | Ancient And Classical - Language Arts & Disciplines - Foreign Language Study | Ancient Languages (see Also Latin) |
| Dewey: 880.9 |
| Physical Information: 0.48" H x 6.14" W x 9.21" (0.72 lbs) 228 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - Ancient (To 499 A.D.) |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: The purpose of this book is to dispel misunderstanding about the genesis of the Homeric poems and other knotty problems in oral studies, such as the meaning of orality, literacy, tradition, memorization, and text. The study is about the nature and history of writing--how it was used in the Ancient Near East, and especially in Greece, and its relationship to Homer. It suggests that a Semite invented the Greek alphabet, heir to an ancient bilingual Eastern tradition of recording poetry by dictation. |
Contributor Bio(s): Powell, Barry B.: - Barry B. Powell is Halls-Bascom Professor of Classics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His books include Homer and the Origin of the Greek Alphabet (1991 HB 0521371570; 1996 PB 052158907X). |