“Greek Epic Catalogues” offers a fresh perspective on ancient Greek epics by examining their often-overlooked catalogues. Rather than viewing these lists as mere addenda, the book argues that they are vital components that shape our understanding of identity, memory, and power. These catalogues, found within the Iliad and the Odyssey, served as mnemonic devices for oral tradition, allowing bards to recall and recite vast amounts of information. One intriguing aspect is how network analysis reveals the relationships between characters and places mentioned, uncovering patterns of social and geographical organization within ancient Greece. The book explores the literary function of catalogues, their mnemonic significance, and their symbolic representation of social structures. It challenges the perception of catalogues as static elements, instead positioning them as integral to epic storytelling. By integrating literary analysis with cognitive and social approaches, “Greek Epic Catalogues” demonstrates how these lists encode information about social structures and military strength, reflecting the worldview of the culture. The book unfolds by establishing a theoretical framework, then focusing on literary devices, mnemonic function, and symbolic meaning in subsequent chapters, providing a comprehensive analysis of their enduring significance.
