Back to Results
Cover image of The Death and Afterlife of Achilles
Cover image of The Death and Afterlife of Achilles
Share this Title:

The Death and Afterlife of Achilles

Jonathan S. Burgess
Publication Date
Binding Type

Achilles’ death—by an arrow shot through the vulnerable heel of the otherwise invincible mythic hero—was as well known in antiquity as the rest of the history of the Trojan War. However, this important event was not described directly in either of the great Homeric epics, the Iliad or the Odyssey. Noted classics scholar Jonathan S. Burgess traces the story of Achilles as represented in other ancient sources in order to offer a deeper understanding of the death and afterlife of the celebrated Greek warrior.

Through close readings of additional literary sources and analysis of ancient artwork...

Read More

Achilles’ death—by an arrow shot through the vulnerable heel of the otherwise invincible mythic hero—was as well known in antiquity as the rest of the history of the Trojan War. However, this important event was not described directly in either of the great Homeric epics, the Iliad or the Odyssey. Noted classics scholar Jonathan S. Burgess traces the story of Achilles as represented in other ancient sources in order to offer a deeper understanding of the death and afterlife of the celebrated Greek warrior.

Through close readings of additional literary sources and analysis of ancient artwork, such as vase paintings, Burgess uncovers rich accounts of Achilles’ death as well as alternative versions of his afterlife. Taking a neoanalytical approach, Burgess is able to trace the influence of these parallel cultural sources on Homer’s composition of the Iliad.

With his keen, original analysis of hitherto untapped literary, iconographical, and archaeological sources, Burgess adds greatly to our understanding of this archetypal mythic hero.

Read Less
About
Related Books
Reviews
Details
Authors
Additional Resources
Related

Related Books

Cover image of The Tradition of the Trojan War in Homer and the Epic Cycle
The Tradition of the Trojan War in Homer and the Epic Cycle

Jonathan S. Burgess

$32.00
Quick Add The Tradition of the Trojan War in Homer and the Epic Cycle
Cover image of The Tradition of the Trojan War in Homer and the Epic Cycle
The Tradition of the Trojan War in Homer and the Epic Cycle

Jonathan S. Burgess

Publication Date
Binding Type
Cover image of The Lyre Book
The Lyre Book

Matthew Kilbane

$39.95
Quick Add The Lyre Book
Cover image of The Lyre Book
The Lyre Book

Matthew Kilbane

Publication Date
Binding Type
Cover image of The Sound of Writing
The Sound of Writing

edited by Christopher Cannon and Steven Justice

$54.95
Quick Add The Sound of Writing
Cover image of The Sound of Writing
The Sound of Writing

edited by Christopher Cannon and Steven Justice

Publication Date
Binding Type
Cover image of Subatomic Writing
Subatomic Writing

Jamie Zvirzdin

$29.95
Quick Add Subatomic Writing
Cover image of Subatomic Writing
Subatomic Writing

Jamie Zvirzdin

Publication Date
Binding Type
Cover image of Because Data Can't Speak for Itself
Because Data Can't Speak for Itself

David Chrisinger and Lauren Brodsky

$22.95
Quick Add Because Data Can't Speak for Itself
Cover image of Because Data Can't Speak for Itself
Because Data Can't Speak for Itself

David Chrisinger and Lauren Brodsky

Publication Date
Binding Type
Reviews

Reviews

Burgess is an established authority on the Homeric and Cyclic epics and the tradition of the Trojan war. His latest study, The Death and Afterlife of Achilles, by no means lessens this reputation... This is a fascinating book, and one worth reading cover to cover... He exhibits an extraordinary depth of understanding of the nature of ancient epic traditions, and many of his ideas are original and innovative.

— Calum Maciver, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

This is an excellent book, and every chapter is worth reading. The train of thought is always clear, the arguments persuasive, the speculations judicious, and the style lucid. Numerous interesting and original ideas are combine with masterful synthesis of previous work and an extremely orderly presentation of fragmentary and unwieldy material.

— Olga Lavaniouk , New England Classical Journal

Brilliant... shows a thorough understanding of Homeric poetry in the larger context of ancient epic traditions... Burgess has a commanding international reputation as a leading expert in these traditions. This book is a vital new contribution to our understanding of the relationship between Cyclic and Homeric poetry.

— Gregory Nagy, Harvard University
About

Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
6
x
9
Pages
208
ISBN
9780801890291
DOI
Illustration Description
23 halftones, 3 line drawings
Subject
Table of Contents

List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Note to Reader
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
1. The Early Life of Achilles
2. The Death of Achilles
3. The Destiny of Achilles in the Iliad
4. Intertextuality and

See More

List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Note to Reader
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
1. The Early Life of Achilles
2. The Death of Achilles
3. The Destiny of Achilles in the Iliad
4. Intertextuality and Oral Epic
5. The Death of Achilles in the Iliad
6. Motif Sequences in the Iliad
7. Burial and Afterlife of Achilles
8. Tomb and Cult of Achilles
Conclusion
Appendix: The Fabula of the Death of Achilles
Notes
References
Index

See Less
Author Bio
Jonathan S. Burgess
Featured Contributor

Jonathan S. Burgess, Ph.D.

Jonathan S. Burgess is a professor of classics at the University of Toronto and author of The Tradition of the Trojan War in Homer and the Epic Cycle, also published by Johns Hopkins.
Read more
Resources

Additional Resources

Related Links

Site Menu

Customer Service