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Cover of History of the Graeco-Latin Fable

History of the Graeco-Latin Fable

by Francisco Rodríguez Adrados

Book Details

Publisher:BRILL
Published:1999
Pages:782
Format:BOOK
Language:en

Reading Info

About This Book

This is the second of three volumes covering the long history of the fable from Sumer to the present day. Historical evidence reaching as far back as Antiquity, supports the study of more than 500 works considered to be fables.

Our Review

This comprehensive volume traces the evolution of the Graeco-Latin fable tradition through meticulous historical analysis of over 500 ancient works. Rodríguez Adrados builds upon the foundation established in his first volume, creating an authoritative scholarly examination that connects Sumerian origins to classical developments. The research presents compelling historical evidence from Antiquity, offering readers a systematic understanding of how fable genres developed across centuries. This isn't merely a collection of stories but a deep archaeological dig into the literary forms that shaped Western narrative traditions.

What distinguishes this work is its encyclopedic scope and rigorous methodology, making it essential for classicists, literary historians, and folklore specialists. The author's ability to contextualize these ancient narratives within their cultural and historical frameworks provides invaluable insights into how moral tales functioned in classical societies. Readers seeking to understand the transmission of storytelling conventions from ancient Mesopotamia through Greece and Rome will find this an indispensable resource that fundamentally enriches our comprehension of early Western literature's building blocks.

Themes

History

Subjects

History