Greek Epic Cycle

In the wake of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, poets of the seventh and sixth centuries BC composed epics that covered other parts of the Trojan War story or different areas of Greek mythology. Collectively these poems came to be known by Hellenistic scholars in Alexandria as ‘The Epic Cycle’. They also present a wealth of fascinating mythological details and provide absorbing variation on the traditional themes presented in Homer. Why are certain themes frequently used, while others are neglected in various poems? This short study provides a useful introduction to the Cycle for students and scholars of Greek epic and of classical civilization and mythology in general.

An insightful introduction to the Cycle, and of classical civilization and mythology

Malcolm Davies is a Fellow of St. John’s College, Oxford.