Author Description

This dissertation explores the social and historical significance of Attic verse epitaphs from their appearance in the second quarter of the sixth century to the late fourth century. By examining verse epitaphs in context (both archeological and literary), the thesis assesses the way in which various strata of society commemorated the dead; it thereby permits acquaintance with a wider range of people than found in literary sources. The material under investigation consists primarily of verse epitaphs edited by P.A. Hansen in Carmina Epigraphica Graeca, with the addition of a few recent discoveries. Since this dissertation considers the archeological context of inscriptions, including the appearance of the inscription, type and location of the monument, etc., it also makes extensive use of archeological data....