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Aristarchus' Exegesis on Ancient Lyric

Project description

Exploring the exegetical works of Aristarchus of Samothrace

Aristarchus of Samothrace (3rd-2nd centuries BCE) was a noteworthy ancient scholar. Despite the fame that he had achieved as an expert on Homer, his work on ancient Greek lyric poets such as Sappho, Pindar and Alcaeus is still understudied. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the AREXAL project aims to focus on the exegesis of Aristarchus of Samothrace. Specifically, it will study the extant pieces of lyric poetry by this author preserved in papyrus and manuscript sources, offer their English translations, examine Aristarchus’ approach to his scholarly work and assess his influence on the formation of the canon of lyric poetry.

Objective

AREXAL will investigate the exegetical works of Aristarchus of Samothrace (3rd–2nd c. BC), one of the most influential scholars of antiquity. While his studies on Homer are well known, his engagement with Greek lyric poets such as Sappho, Pindar, and Alcaeus has never been systematically studied, despite its importance for the transmission of European literary heritage.
The project has three main objectives: (1) to collect and analyse all surviving fragments of Aristarchus’ works on lyric poetry, preserved in papyri and medieval manuscripts, and provide them with an English translation; (2) to reconstruct Aristarchus’ scholarly methods and his role in shaping the lyric canon; (3) to investigate the reception and transmission of these works from the Hellenistic to the Byzantine era.
AREXAL will achieve these aims by combining philology, papyrology, and codicology within a training and research programme hosted in Geneva and Pavia. This interdisciplinary approach will ensure a reliable reconstruction of Aristarchus’ scholarship and its long-term impact on ancient and medieval literary culture.
The expected outcome is a monograph including the collected material, translation, introduction, and commentary. This will fill a crucial gap in classical studies, establish a new reference point for research on ancient scholarship, and contribute to a better understanding of the foundations of European culture.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITE DE GENEVE
Net EU contribution
€ 292 118,88
Address
RUE DU GENERAL DUFOUR 24
1211 Geneve
Switzerland
Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Genève
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Partners (1)