Gaze, vision, and visuality in ancient Greek literature - 54

Visual culture, performance and spectacle lay at the heart of all aspects of ancient Greek daily routine, such as court and assembly, cult and ritual, and art and culture.

Seeing was considered the most secure means of obtaining knowledge, with many citing the etymological connection between 'seeing' and 'knowing' in ancient Greek as evidence for this.

Seeing was also however often associated with mere appearances, false perception and deception.

If this book differs from the previous publications, it is in its emphasis on diverse genres: the concepts 'gaze', 'vision' and 'visuality' are considered across different Greek genres and media.

The recipients of ancient Greek literature (both oral and written) were encouraged to perceive the narrated scenes as spectacles and to 'follow the gaze' of the characters in the narrative.