Download or read book Greek Epigram in the Roman Empire written by Gideon Nisbet and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2003 with total page 264 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Satirical, or 'skoptic', epigram emerged as a distinctive new sub-genre of Greek literature in the Roman empire (the mid-first century CE) and flourished for at least a century. It was imitated by Martial, but it is now rarely read. In this book, the first substantial treatment of the subject, Gideon Nisbet rehabilitates skoptic epigram, introduces its authors, gives an account of its development, and situates it within its cultural context. He also suggests striking new ways of reading ancient epigram and examines satire's engagement with gender, identity, and power.