Metal Maidens, Achilles' Shield, and Pandora: The Beginnings of "Ekphrasis"
Abstract
Ekphrasis has been a popular topic in recent years among scholars of both classical and later literature. The latter have been particularly interested in the modern definition of ekphrasis as a description of artwork and the development of global definitions and theories. Ancient ekphrasis, however, was much broader in scope. By examining Hephaestus' automaton handmaids and the shield of Achilles in the Iliad , along with the Pandora stories in the works of Hesiod, we can illustrate the nature and character of ancient ekphrasis in ways that call into question modern theories and demonstrate the vibrancy and complexity of even its earliest examples in Greek literature.
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The modern usage of ekphrasis obscures the classical rhetorical use that was alive well into the eighteenth century.
“However, as recent studies have shown, the modern usage obscures the classical rhetorical use that was alive well into the eighteenth century.”
From Biwa Masters and Musical Hierophanies in the Heike monogatari and Other Medieval Texts (2013) · cites this paper as Francis (2009: 1-23)
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References 81 · Cited by 163
- Authors
- Francis, J. A.
- Corresponding author
- Francis, James A.
- Venue
- American Journal of Philology
- Publisher
- Project MUSE
- Published
- 2009-03
- Volume
- 130
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 1-23
- ISSN
- 0002-9475 (ISSN-L)
- 1086-3168
- OpenAlex
- W1979114132
- Cited by
- 163
- References
- 81
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 50 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 11.85
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The American Journal of Philology (publishedVersion)
- Project Muse (Johns Hopkins University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Anthropology › Classical Antiquity Studies
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Visual Arts and Performing Arts › Visual Culture and Art Theory
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Language and Linguistics › Classical Studies and Philology
- Keywords
- ekphrasis, Achilles' shield, Iliad, Hesiod, Pandora, Greek mythology, description of artworks, classical reception
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