3. The Rise of the Greek Novel

Abstract

The study of the formation and origins of the Greek novel must begin with an attempt to define the genre, which in turn implies an acceptance that that category exists. Fragments of Greek novels that have come to light in recent years make it impossible to accept the traditional split between serious or ideal romance (e.g., Callirhoe by Chariton of Aphrodisias, Ephesiaca by Xenophon of Ephesus, the Pastoral Tales of Longus, the Babyloniaca of Iamblicus, Leucippe and Cleitophon by Achilles Tatius) and comic, or unideal romance (e.g., the Saryricon by Petronius, the Metamorphoses by Apuleius and the Ass attributed to Lucian). This chapter focuses on the different factors that, in some way or another, have contributed to the formation and emergence of the genre, starting with the literary tradition. It underlines the importance of that tradition, and the endless dialogue between innovation and imitation, in the construction of the novel. Keywords: Callirhoe ; Ephesiaca ; Greek novel

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