Novel Research : fiction and authority in Ptolemy Chennus
This thesis explores how Ptolemy Chennusâ Novel Research blurs the lines between fact and fiction by playing with issues concerning authority and reliability, making it difficult for readers to discern the authentic from the bogus within the work. Matters are complicated because a complete version of the text does not survive, although it is possible to get an overall sense of the text from a book-by-book epitome of the work by Photius. This summary reveals that the text contained farfetched and eclectic material, drawing upon several literary traditions including, paradoxography, mythography, miscellany, and literary revisionism. The result is an unusual collection of elaborated âinformationâ such as: revised myth, paradoxa, literary facts, questions and answers, and outlandish anecdotes mainly about legendary characters, although some historical figures also feature. Using Photiusâ epitome I will take a thematic approach and explore how Ptolemy blends invented and revised material, and bogus and genuine sources, to produce a work of pseudo-scholarship that not only amuses but also challenges readersâ paideia. I will also establish how Ptolemy is aware of contemporary literary and cultural trends,
Hartley, Beth
Novel Research : fiction and authority in Ptolemy Chennus. This thesis explores how Ptolemy Chennusâ Novel Research blurs the lines between fact and fiction by playing with issues concerning authority and reliability, making it difficult for readers to discern the authentic from the bogus within the work. Matters are complicated because a complete version of the text does not survive, although it is possible to get an overall sense of the text from a book-by-book epitome of the work by Photius. This summary reveals that the text contained farfetched and eclectic material, drawing upon several literary traditions including, paradoxography, mythography, miscellany, and literary revisionism. The result is an unusual collection of elaborated âinformationâ such as: revised myth, paradoxa, literary facts, questions and answers, and outlandish anecdotes mainly about legendary characters, although some historical figures also feature. Using Photiusâ epitome I will take a thematic approach and explore how Ptolemy blends invented and revised material, and bogus and genuine sources, to produce a work of pseudo-scholarship that not only amuses but also challenges readersâ paideia. I will also establish how Ptolemy is aware of contemporary literary and cultural trends,
novel fiction authority explore novel blur line fact fiction play issue_concern authority reliability make_difficult reader discern authentic within work complicate complete version text survive although possible get overall sense text book book work summary reveals text_contain eclectic material draw_upon several literary_tradition include literary revisionism unusual collection elaborate information revise myth literary fact question_answer anecdote mainly legendary character although historical_figure also feature using take thematic explore blend invent material genuine source produce work pseudo scholarship also challenge reader paideia also establish aware contemporary_literary cultural trend