Hellenistic Literature in Context: Poetic Voices and Cultural Experience under Empire

This reading group will meet beginning in the Spring 2022 semester to read and discuss works of scholarship on the development of poetry and art in the Hellenistic period, with a particular focus on their interaction with the historical development of an imperial multiculturalism. Themes and topics for discussion include:

-Hellenistic literature in the context of empire
-The emergence of female voices, autonomy, and power in the Hellenistic period, queenship
-Hellenistic multiculturalism (e.g., with India as well as the various post-Alexandrian empires)
-Poetics of tyranny and kingship
-Aesthetics, ekphrasis, Hellenistic art

The first meeting is scheduled for March 15 at 4:30 pm, Scheide Caldwell House, Room 203. We’ll be discussing the intro and chapters 1-2 of Michael Brumbaugh, The New Politics of Olympos: Kingship in Callimachus’ Hymns. Oxford; New York 2019.

If you would like to participate, or if you have any questions, please reach out to Chiara (battisti@princeton.edu) or Sherry (chiayil@princeton.edu).

All sessions:

Poetics of tyranny and kingship (Tuesday, March 15th, 4:30-6pm)

Queenship and female power (Thursday, March 31st, 4:30-6pm)

Multiculturalism (Thursday, April 7th, 4:30-6pm)

Interculturalism (Thursday, April 14th, 4:30-6pm)

Many thanks!

Contact Sherry chiayil@princeton.edu and Chiara battisti@princeton.edu with any questions.