Journal | Axon
Journal issue | 4 | 2 | 2020
Research Article | A Funerary Epigram for Diokles the Rhodian Dramatist
A Funerary Epigram for Diokles the Rhodian Dramatist
Abstract
This funerary verse inscription, found in 1976, is for the previously unknown dramatist Diokles of Rhodes. This entry re-examines the text based on visual autopsy, proposes a new supplement on the last line, and sets the poem within the literary and inscribed epitaphic traditions for deceased poets (tragedians in particular). It also considers what this poem tells us about Rhodian dramatic competitions in the Hellenistic period. It looks at the interplay between inscribed and literary epigrams, what this epigram tells us about poetry of the south-east Aegean, and the reception of literary funerary epigrams of Classical authors in the Hellenistic era.
Submitted: July 26, 2020 | Accepted: Sept. 22, 2020 | Published Dec. 22, 2020 | Language: en
Keywords Classical and Hellenistic Tragedy • Simmias • Verse inscription • Lenaea • Diokles • Epigram • Dramatic festivals • Rhodes • Sophocles
Copyright © 2020 Thomas Coward. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/Axon/2532-6848/2020/02/007
