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Preface

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 October 2018

Peter E. Knox
Affiliation:
University of Colorado, Boulder
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Summary

When this commentary was begun some seven years ago, at the suggestion of Professor E. J. Kenney, it was possible to characterize the Heroides as Ovid's most neglected work. In the intervening years interest in these epistles has intensified, and I have benefited greatly from the labours of others who have recognized that this collection is far more subtle and complex than has generally been thought. There is still no full-scale modern commentary on the Heroides, but the present edition aims to mitigate this Situation by providing the Student with a representative selection from the single epistles. I have not avoided the thorny issue of the authenticity of parts of the collection, but since Ovidian authorship of most of the poems in this selection is not disputed, the reader's attention can remain focused on the more important aspects of this poet's art. The Epistula Sapphus, which I do not believe to be Ovid's, is an interesting poem in its own right, and I have included it as an illustration of the principle that a judgement against authenticity does not necessarily imply aesthetic condemnation.

It is a pleasure to acknowledge several friends and colleagues whose suggestions have led to a number of improvements in both presentation and substance. Professors Alessandro Barchiesi, D. R. Shackleton Bailey and Richard Thomas read substantial portions of the commentary. I am particularly indebted to Professors Wendell Clausen and James McKeown, who read and commented upon the entire typescript. All contributors to this series benefit from the advice and criticism of the General Editors; I have been especially fortunate because Professor Kenney has shouldered more than a fair share of the bürden of trying to rescue me from error. I am grateful for the attention he has lavished on a succession of drafts and for the generous spirit in which he has shared his accumulated störe of learning in all things Ovidian. My chief Obligation is acknowledged in the dedication.

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Ovid: Heroides , pp. ix - x
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1996

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  • Preface
  • Ovid
  • Edited by Peter E. Knox, University of Colorado, Boulder
  • Book: Ovid: Heroides
  • Online publication: 12 October 2018
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316256985.001
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  • Preface
  • Ovid
  • Edited by Peter E. Knox, University of Colorado, Boulder
  • Book: Ovid: Heroides
  • Online publication: 12 October 2018
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316256985.001
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Preface
  • Ovid
  • Edited by Peter E. Knox, University of Colorado, Boulder
  • Book: Ovid: Heroides
  • Online publication: 12 October 2018
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316256985.001
Available formats
×