Theocritus's Urban Mimes: Mobility, Gender, and Patronage: 19 (Hellenistic Culture and Society) - Hardcover

Drawing on current literary, cultural and historical approaches, this book presents readings of Theocritus's urban mimes, which are among the most frequently cited evidence of Hellenistic cultural life, religion, magic and aesthetics. Unlike Theocritus's bucolic poems, which focus on the male experience, all of his urban mimes represent women in more central and powerful roles, reflecting the growing visibility of Greek women at the time.

"Presents some of the most frequently used literary evidence for Hellenistic life, yet demonstrates methodologies not previously applied so systematically or so well."Frederick Griffiths, author ofTheocritus at Court

"Burton shows that many of the concerns of the 1990smulticulturalism, gender relations, social and ethnic mobilityalso lay at the heart of Theocritus's urban poetry."Kathryn Gutzwiller, author ofTheocritus's Pastoral Analogies

"This is an attractive, stimulating, thoughtful, and lucid work with much contemporary resonance. Even those who disagree with Burton's view of Theocritus will read her, recommend her to others, and assign her to students. This is an exciting piece of interpretive writing and will command a wide readership."John Lynch, University of California, Santa Cruz