The Homeric Hymn to Hermes

Description

The Homeric Hymn to Hermes is the longest surviving hymn from ancient Greece, our fullest source for the god Hermes, and an entertaining narrative of theft, invention, cheekiness, and learning to get along. This study contains a new text of the poem, based on advances in our understanding of its transmission, and a commentary which brings together a range of methodologies to address points of linguistic difficulty, poetic technique, and cultural background. The introduction discusses the possible context for the first performance of the hymn, and makes an original argument about the hymnist's remarkable approach to praise and to the epic tradition. This book will therefore be an essential point of reference for students and scholars interested not only in the Hymn to Hermes but in Greek literature and religion. CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS INTRODUCTION SIGLA TEXT AND TRANSLATION COMMENTARY 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 BIBLIOGRAPHY AND ABBREVIATIONS Index of Passages Index of Greek Words Index of Subjects