Introduction

Abstract

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book originates in a conference given in honor of Professor Margalit Finkelberg in June 2017 at Tel Aviv University. It includes important, field-changing studies in Homer and the Greek epic tradition, “the birth of literary fiction”, ancient literary canons, ancient literary theory, Greek philosophical dialog, ancient morality and religion, ancient myth, textual criticism, Aegean pre-history, Aegean scripts and language, historical linguistics, art history. The book draws on insights by Finkelberg to illuminate Homer’s original treatment of certain aspects of the myths found in the epic cycle. It shifts to linguistic and literary elements in the Homeric epics.