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Selected Dialogues
A translation of fourteen of Lucian's dialogues, offering a cross-section of his styles and satirical targets, from serious polemic ( Alexander , Peregrinus ) to lighter squibs and character-portrayals ( Dialogues of the Courtesans ). Also included are How to Write History and his most famous piece, A True History , a parody of the popular vogue for fabulous traveler's tales. Each piece has a summary introduction, and notes to clarify obscure allusions in the text. The Introduction examines in some detail Lucian's importance as a dominant Atticizer in the period of the Second Sophistic, as well as his extraordinarily widespread influence on later European literature.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 2, 2006
About the author
Lucian of Samosata
1,403 books155 followersLucian of Samosata was a Greek-educated Syrian rhetorician, and satirist who wrote in the Greek language. He is noted for his witty and scoffing nature.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 5, 2019
It was alright. (Only read "True History" and "Icaromenippus")
January 13, 2020
Don’t know why Goodreads only has a hardcover edition here, because mine is a paperback.
This book is rather entertaining; Lucian is a skeptic and satirist of ancient times. If you’re a fan of The Amazing Randi, Skeptic Magazine, or Carl Sagan, you will find much here to admire. Lucian has several peeves he loves to satirize. Know it all philosophers, the gullible, superstitions, tall tales, and just plain liars fall pray to his biting wit.
Lucian comically weaves his own tales in order to make a point. In one story a character invents wings, like Daedalus, in order to pay the gods a visit because he has some questions to ask. The gods, bewildered at seeing a human in heaven, have some issues of their own.
In another dialogue, a friend tries to advise a student of philosophy about the folly of insisting that his area of study will definitely lead to happiness, since all philosophical schools claim this.
A really funny dialogue deals with a con man (a real historical person), who duped many into believing that the god of healing was reborn as a talking snake that gave oracles. It reminded me of the Cthulhu-like cult in the Conan universe.
Perhaps my favorite concerned a frustrated intellectual who was confused as to why so many otherwise intelligent people believe in things that have no evidence. This is relevant today, as so many well educated people cannot think critically concerning such things as astrology, ghosts and feng shui. This work has our oldest version of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.”
This translation reads nicely, being in today’s English. It doesn’t feel like your reading a stale classic.
(Although at times it still might feel a bit like that. But hey, this work is almost two thousand years old.)
This book is rather entertaining; Lucian is a skeptic and satirist of ancient times. If you’re a fan of The Amazing Randi, Skeptic Magazine, or Carl Sagan, you will find much here to admire. Lucian has several peeves he loves to satirize. Know it all philosophers, the gullible, superstitions, tall tales, and just plain liars fall pray to his biting wit.
Lucian comically weaves his own tales in order to make a point. In one story a character invents wings, like Daedalus, in order to pay the gods a visit because he has some questions to ask. The gods, bewildered at seeing a human in heaven, have some issues of their own.
In another dialogue, a friend tries to advise a student of philosophy about the folly of insisting that his area of study will definitely lead to happiness, since all philosophical schools claim this.
A really funny dialogue deals with a con man (a real historical person), who duped many into believing that the god of healing was reborn as a talking snake that gave oracles. It reminded me of the Cthulhu-like cult in the Conan universe.
Perhaps my favorite concerned a frustrated intellectual who was confused as to why so many otherwise intelligent people believe in things that have no evidence. This is relevant today, as so many well educated people cannot think critically concerning such things as astrology, ghosts and feng shui. This work has our oldest version of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.”
This translation reads nicely, being in today’s English. It doesn’t feel like your reading a stale classic.
(Although at times it still might feel a bit like that. But hey, this work is almost two thousand years old.)
Shelved as 'read-in-part'
November 3, 2022Read Icaromenippus, Peregrinus, & Lovers of Lies for a retreat.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews