Séquences dactyliques dans la prose d’Hérodote. Hexamètres, homérismes, formules

= Article =

K. MANSOUR, « Séquences dactyliques dans la prose d’Hérodote. Hexamètres, homérismes, formules », in A. BLANC and E. DUPRAZ (ed.), Procédés synchroniques de la langue poétique en grec et en latin (Langues et cultures anciennes 9), Brussels, 2007, p. 151-162.

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This paper focuses on some of the numerous dactylic sequences which occur in Herodotus’ prose, styled as homērikōtatos by Ps.-Longinus; this study will conform to the appraisal given of Herodotus’ language by the rhetor Hermogenes. First, a selection of dactylic sequences will be examined with regard to their stylistic and thematic motivation, and we shall identify some likely hexameters. We shall then proceed to examine Herodotus’ use of Homeric literal phrases or phrases of Homeric inspiration. Finally, we will try to identify dactylic recurrent sequences which may be considered as formulae, so that the present contribution may shed light on Herodotus’ Homerism.

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