Barry B. Powell Livres

"The hymn-as poetry, as craft, as a tool for worship and for philosophy-was a vital art form throughout antiquity. Although the Homeric Hymns have long been popular, other equally important collections have not been readily accessible to generations of students eager to learn about ancient religion. Unlike their epic counterparts, the Iliad and the Odyssey, hymns are songs in praise of the gods, but just as the gods have a prominent role in epic, so too do humans and their earthly concerns play an important role in hymns. In reading them we gain valuable insight into life in the classical world. Alongside the early Homeric Hymns, of uncertain authorship, sit the carefully wrought paeans of the great Hellenistic poet and courtier, Callimachus; the mystical body of writings attributed to the legendary poet Orpheus, written down as Christianity began to take over the ancient world; and finally, the hymns of Proclus, the last great pagan philosopher of antiquity, from the fifth century AD, whose intellectual influence throughout the history of the west was profound. Greek Poems to the Gods thus brings together over a thousand years of the ancient Greek hymnic tradition in one volume. Acclaimed translator Barry B. Powell brings these fabulous texts to life in English, hewing closely to the poetic beauty of the original Greek. His superb introductions and notes give readers essential context for reading each hymn, making each work equally accessible to a beginner approaching them for the first time or an advanced student continuing to explore their secrets"-- Provided by publisher

Focusing on the historical evolution of writing systems, this book systematically investigates the transition from earlier, less efficient methods to the adoption of alphabetic writing. It delves into the underlying causes of this significant shift, exploring the cultural and technological factors that contributed to the development of more effective communication tools. The analysis offers insights into the impact of these changes on society and the progression of literacy.

Writing: Theory and History of the Technology of Civilization traces the origins of writing tied to speech from ancient Sumer through the Greek alphabet and beyond.Examines the earliest evidence for writing in Mesopotamia in the fourth millennium BC, the origins of purely phonographic systems, and the mystery of alphabetic writingIncludes discussions of Ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Mayan writingShows how the structures of writing served and do serve social needs and in turn create patterns of social behaviorClarifies the argument with many illustrations

For an undergraduate level course in Classical Mythology. Helping students gain a more meaningful understanding of the origin of the concept “myth” in the ancient world, this practical guide provides information on the social and historical background of classical myth, as well as commentary on the primary literary texts most often read in courses on Greek myth―including Homer, Hesiod, the tragedians, the historians, Ovid, and Vergil. Written by an internationally acclaimed scholar, the book is an ideal supplement in courses using primary sources. (Penguin paperbacks of these texts are available shrink-wrapped with this book.)

This is an excellent, accessible introduction to writing's origins and development; Powell's jargon-free exposition clarifies many important issues in a way that specialist discussions have rarely achieved to date.

The book explores how the advent of the alphabet influenced the emergence of archaic Greek literature. It delves into the transformative impact of this writing system on storytelling, poetry, and cultural expression in ancient Greece, highlighting the interplay between language and literature during this pivotal period. By analyzing various literary works, it reveals the profound ways in which the alphabet shaped the development of Greek literary traditions.

Antike Mythen verstehen. Die griechischen und römischen Mythen von Homer, Ovid, Vergil u. a. gehören zum Kernbestand der europäischen Kultur. Die fundierte Einführung liefert den historischen und theoretischen Hintergrund, beschreibt die zentralen Themen und Figuren der klassischen Mythologie und beleuchtet den kulturellen Kontext ihrer Entstehung im antiken Griechenland. Ausführlich werden die Mythentheorien und -interpretationen von der Antike bis zur Moderne behandelt.