Art

Introduction: The Genres of Ekphrasis

J. Elsner

2002RAMUS-CRITICAL STUDIES IN GREEK AND ROMAN LITERATURE

DOI: 10.1017/s0048671x00001338

Abstract

As has recently been emphasised, this Graeco-Roman definition by no means refers only to descriptions of works of art, by contrast with the usual modern meaning of the word ekphrasis, and our use of the term in this volume. On the contrary, the subjects listed by the handbooks include persons (prosopa), places (topoi), time {chronoi) and events (pragmata), with the later Progymnasmata adding plants (phyta), animals (zoa) and festivals (panegyreis). These are themselves glossed by examples:

Citation format

ELSNER, J. Introduction: The genres of ekphrasis. RAMUS-CRITICAL STUDIES IN GREEK AND ROMAN LITERATURE, 2002, 31: 1–18.