Callirhoe: Love Story in Syracuse (Loeb Classical Library #481)

CHARITON; GOOLD, G. P. (editor & translator)

ISBN 10: 0674995309 / ISBN 13: 9780674995307

Published by Loeb Classical Library / Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts / London, 1995

About this Item

A Loeb Classical Library edition of the world's oldest extant novel, "Callirhoe" by Chariton of Aphrodisias. This work is thought to have first appeared in the mid-1st century AD. This story, originally published in Greek, conveys themes of love, jealousy, beauty and its consequences, and divine intervention. Text presented side-by-side in both Greek and English in the translation of editor G. P. Goold. Includes a map of the Eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor. LCL #481. --- In olive cloth-covered boards with gilt-stamped LCL device to front cover and spine titling & Greek key decorations to spine, all in gilt. Volume wrapped in green dust jacket. --- An about-Fine copy: clean, tightly-bound, bright copy lacking apparent damages. Unclipped, unpriced jacket also lacks damages; wrapped in new removable archival mylar protector.; 16mo - 6 to 7 in. tall ; viii, [2], 425 pages.

Seller Inventory # 89172

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Callirhoe: Love Story in Syracuse (Loeb Classical Library #481)
• Publisher: Loeb Classical Library / Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts / London
• Publication Date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0674995309
• ISBN 13: 9780674995307
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • >>Greek & Roman Classics
  • >>Poetry

About this title

Synopsis

An ancient Greek tale of romance and adventure.

Chariton’s Callirhoe, subtitled “Love Story in Syracuse,” is the oldest extant novel. It is a fast-paced historical romance with ageless charm.

Chariton narrates the adventures of an exceptionally beautiful young bride named Callirhoe, beginning with her abduction by pirates―adventures that take her as far as the court of the Persian king Artaxerxes and involve shipwrecks, several ardent suitors, an embarrassing pregnancy, the hazards of war, and a happy ending. Animated dialogue captures dramatic situations, and the novelist takes us on picturesque travels. His skill makes us enthralled spectators of plots and counterplots, at trials and a crucifixion, inside a harem, among the admiring crowd at weddings, and at battles on land and sea.

This enchanting tale is here made available for the first time in an English translation facing the Greek text. In his Introduction G. P. Goold establishes the book’s date in the first century AD and relates it to other ancient fiction.

About the Author

G. P. Goold was William Lampson Professor of Latin Language and Literature at Yale University, and General Editor of the Loeb Classical Library (1974–1999).