Triphiodorus’ Sack of Troy and the Poetics of Cassandra
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9665239 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Manos Tsakiris (0000-0001-7753-7576, University of Edinburgh, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2022 |
| Volume | 72 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 355-371 |
| Publication date | 2022-05-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The Classical Quarterly (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0009-8388 • E-ISSN: 1471-6844 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s0009838822000349 |
| OpenAlex | W4220886625 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 8 |
This article explores Triphiodorus’ use of Cassandra in his brief epic Sack of Troy . An examination of the placing of the prophetess within the poem's plot and a comparison with previous literary attestations demonstrate that Triphiodorus makes extended use of the previously supplementary character. The reader is particularly invited to read Cassandra against the Cassandras of Euripides’ Trojan Women and Quintus Smyrnaeus’ Posthomerica , thus identifying ties with both epic and tragedy. Cassandra's speech alludes to the proem of the epic. At the same time, Cassandra's prophecy constitutes the key for understanding the connection between imagery deployed prior and subsequent to her presence, thus ensuring the thematic congruity of the poem. Triphiodorus’ Cassandra constitutes a doublet of the poet, depicted as imitating his poetic voice and effectively summarizing the entire epic in her speech; entwined in Triphiodorus’ poetic agenda, she also becomes its intradiegetic mouthpiece
Art · Character (mathematics · EPIC · Literature · Plot (graphics · Poetics · Poetry · Tragedy (event · Classical Antiquity Studies · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · History · Organic Chemistry Synthesis Methods
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |