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 traveller'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.
This is a selection of pieces by the Greek satirist Lucian. Lucian invented the comic dialogue as a satiric tool, and had immense influence on many later European literatures. He is also extremely funny, whether puncturing the pretensions of pompous philosophers or describing the daily lives of Greek courtesans. The translation aims to be lively and modern in idiom, while maintaining accuracy.
