Reciprocity and Ritual Homer and Tragedy in the Developing City-State [Paperback]

This is an exciting and entirely new synthesis, combining anthropology, political and social history, and a close reading of central Greek texts, to account for two of the most significant hallmarks in Homeric epic and Athenian tragedy: the representation of ritual, and codes of reciprocity. Both genres are pervaded by these features, yet each treats them in entirely different ways. In this book, Seaford shows that these differences cannot be accounted for in merely literary terms, but require a historical explanation. Challenging, thoroughly lucid, and at times controversial, this lively and original work is the first to attempt to understand the development of early Greek literature from the perspective of state-formation. It should interest all those concerned with the literature and history of classical Greece.

Ritual and Reciprocityis a learned and stimulating book....A book in which readers of Homer and tragedy will find much to think about and argue with. --Bryn Mawr Classical Review

Richard Seaford has given us a rich and demanding piece of work, one that will undoubtedly provoke much thought and also some disagreement....Scholars of Homer, tragedy, and Greek culture in general, will be reading and arguing with this challenging book for a long time to come. --New EnglandClassical Journal

This is a book that no student of Homer, tragedy, or Greek religion can afford to ignore. --Religious Studies Review