Antonius Diogenes
Antonius Diogenes
- Ewen Bowie
Extract
Antonius Diogenes, Greek writer of ‘The Incredible Things Beyond *Thule’ (Τὰ ὑπὲρ Θούλην ἅπιστα), a novel (see novel, greek) in 24 books known only from *Photius' confusing epitome (Bibl. cod. 166) and some fragments. Papyri allow a date as late as ce 200. Other considerations, however, favour 90s ce or even earlier. Among many novelistic conventions (e.g. false deaths) Antonius carries to extremes that of presenting narrative through characters' stories: seven levels of subordination can be traced, and the whole was allegedly written on tablets by the protagonist Deinias and found in his grave during *Alexander (3) the Great's siege of *Tyre. Sorcery, travel (even to or near the moon), and *Neopythagoreanism bulk larger than love in this encyclopaedic novel.
Subjects
- Greek Literature
