Greek Epic Fragments: From the Seventh to the Fifth Centuries B.C.

Greek epics of the archaic period include poems that narrate a particular heroic episode or series of episodes and poems that recount the long-term history of families or peoples. They are an important source of mythological record. This volume contains examples of this poetry that have come down to us. The heroic epic is represented by poems about Heracles and Theseus, and by two great epic cycles: the Theban Cycle, which tells of the failed assault on Thebes by the Seven and the subsequent successful assault by their sons; and the Trojan Cycle, which includes "Cypria", "Little Iliad" and "The Sack of Ilion". Among the gealogical epics are poems in which Eumelus creates a pre-history for Corinth and Asius creates one for Samos. Martin West provides helpful notes, and his introduction places the epics in historical context.