Do Not Talk Death to Me: The Epic Underworld

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Abstract

This chapter provides an account of epic katabases (journeys to the Underworld) and treats the Underworld as both a theme and a location in early hexameter poetry. Sekita presents an overview of Underworld scenes and motifs featuring in Homer and Hesiod, and as reconstructed in the Epic Cycle and other epic poets. She also summarises the main scholarly achievements and developments regarding the possible interpretations of this material, including its reception in the iconography of Attic and Apulian vase-painting and place in the broader Mediterranean tradition.
Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publicationThe Cambridge Companion to Ancient Greek Epic
EditorsEmma Greensmith
Place of PublicationCambridge
PublisherCambridge University Press
Pages104-129
Number of pages26
ISBN (Print)9781316514696
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024

Publication series

NameCambridge Companions to Literature

Keywords

  • Epic Cycle
  • Hades
  • Hesiod
  • Homer
  • Odysseus
  • Underworld
  • archaic
  • katabasis
  • shades
  • vase-painting

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