Abstract

This article advances the interpretation of Antimachus Thebaid Fragment 51 (Matthews) as part of an ekphrasis. It examines the literary features of Fr. 51 in light of epic ekphrastic conventions; it considers the relevance of allusions to this fragment in later poetry; and it determines that the lines concern a shield-description. Other literary evidence for the legend of the Seven against Thebes is adduced in order to contextualize the passage in the narrative of the poem. The article concludes that this description forms an important link in the tradition of epic ekphrasis from Homer to the Hellenistic period and beyond.

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