Bøker av Lucian

True History (2nd century C.E.) is a satirical novel by Lucian. Written in ancient Greek, True History is thought to be the first work of science fiction in all of Western literature. Intended as a criticism of the unbelievable scenarios populating ancient fiction, True History dramatizes the extent to which authors will relate fantastic or mythological material as truth to humorous and imaginative effect. Before beginning his narrative, Lucian admits that though the claims he will make are far from truth, he will make them, nonetheless. Accordingly, he weaves a tale of a voyage by sea thrown off course near the Pillars of Hercules by a powerful storm. Narrowly escaping disaster, Lucian and his fellow travelers find themselves on an island interwoven with rivers of wine, in which fish swim and bears feed and frolic. As if this weren''t enough, rumors of a divine presence and visions of trees like women encourages the travelers to seek safety elsewhere. Not far into the next leg of their journey, their ship is swept skyward by a storm so powerful it lands them on the Moon. There, they are swiftly swept up in a war between the armies of the Moon and Sun, vast alien forces vying for control of the Morning Star. Helping to organize a peace treaty, Lucian and his travelers take in the sights of the Moon before returning to Earth just in time to be swallowed by a massive whale. As the narrative unfolds, these poor lost voyagers encounter fish people, discover an island of cheese afloat on a sea of milk, and even meet the heroes of Troy themselves. True History is a wild and wonderful work of satire and science fiction that not only amazes as much as it delights, but serves as a reminder that the humor of the ancients is not so different from our own. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Lucian''s True History is a classic of ancient Greek literature reimagined for modern readers.

Lucian, born in Syria in the second century C.E., came to Greece at an early age and mastered its language and literature. He took up law, left it for public speaking, then turned to full-time writing, producing the wide range of subject matter and literary form which is represented in this collection.A master of the vivid scene, Lucian used his pungent style to ridicule the tyrants, prophets, waning gods, and hypocrite philosophers of his own day and the centuries preceding him. His most typical genre is a parody of a Platonic dialogue, but he also excelled in straight narrative, as in the elaborate spoof "A True Story" and the old folk tale outrageously retold, "Lucius, the Ass." His skeptical mind and imaginative irony have influenced generations of artists and writers, and now in Professor Casson's new translations can be freshly enjoyed today.

Though Revelation was written primarily to first century Christians, its message is not limited to the first century. For example, the writer of Hebrews exhorted first century Christians to be faithful by reviewing great heroes of faith who lived during the Old Testament times. In a similar way, Revelation gives hope to Christians who are being persecuted by reminding them of God's victories over great kingdoms in the past. These victories also should encourage those that will suffer similar persecutions in the future.

Lucius, or the Ass, a satirical novel charting the adventures of a young man who has been transformed into a donkey, is usually attributed to Lucian and is thought to be a source of Apuleius's Golden Ass.

Lucian (c. 120-190 CE), apprentice sculptor then travelling rhetorician, settled in Athens and developed an original brand of satire. Notable for the Attic purity and elegance of his Greek and for literary versatility, he is famous chiefly for the lively, cynical wit of the dialogues in which he satirizes human folly, superstition, and hypocrisy.

Lucian (c. 120-190 CE), apprentice sculptor then travelling rhetorician, settled in Athens and developed an original brand of satire. Notable for the Attic purity and elegance of his Greek and for literary versatility, he is famous chiefly for the lively, cynical wit of the dialogues in which he satirizes human folly, superstition, and hypocrisy.

Lucian (c. 120-190 CE), apprentice sculptor then travelling rhetorician, settled in Athens and developed an original brand of satire. Notable for the Attic purity and elegance of his Greek and for literary versatility, he is famous chiefly for the lively, cynical wit of the dialogues in which he satirizes human folly, superstition, and hypocrisy.

Originally published in 1904, as the second edition of an 1892 original, this book contains the Greek text of two of Lucian's satirical dialogues, Menippus and Timon. The works are prefaced with an introduction to Lucian's life and style, as well as a thorough commentary on the passages and a vocabulary list.

The Greek satirist Lucian was a brilliantly entertaining writer who invented the comic dialogue as a vehicle for satiric comment. This lively new translation is both accurate and idiomatic, and the introduction highlights Lucian's importance in his own and later times.

Although Lucian is one of the most brilliant and wide-ranging writers from antiquity, there are few commentaries for those who wish to read him in his original Greek. This edition includes both more and less well-known works, with full commentaries on each text preceded by literary appraisals.

Described by a later Greek historian as "e;a man seriously committed to raising a laugh"e;, Lucian exulted in the exposure of absurdity and the puncturing of pretension, and was capable of finding a comic angle on almost any subject. In this selection we see him conversing with his literary enemies, railing against hypocrisy and the vanity of human wealth and power, and taking a wry look at the power of lust and the unsatisfactory nature of deviant sexual practices.