Extract

Didactic poetry, which was not regarded as a separate genre by either Greek or Roman theorists, embraces a number of poetic works (usually in hexameters) which aim to instruct the reader in a particular subject-matter, be it science, philosophy, hunting, farming, love, or some other art or craft. Didactic poems are normally addressed to a particular individual who is seen as the primary object of instruction and acts as a model for the reader. The text generally encourages the reader to identify with the addressee, though exceptions exist (e.g. Perses in *Hesiod's Works and Days). The boundaries and internal evolution of the genre are not always easy to determine. A rather clear distinction can be suggested between an older stage of didactic poetry, from *Hesiod (Works and Days, Theogony) down through the 5th cent. bce (*Parmenides, *Empedocles), which displays a strong concern for overall moral and philosophical instruction, and a later stage, prevalent in Hellenistic times, when didactic poetry preferably deals with specialized and at times obscure topics and appears to become a showcase of poetic dexterity (cf. e.g. *Nicander's Theriaka, on snakes; *Aratus (1)'s Phaenomena, on astronomy).