Poets and Politics at the Court of Antiochus III

Abstract

The fourth chapter explores the literature composed at the court of Antiochus III. First, it discusses literary engagements with the Galatians used to assert authority over Asia Minor against the Attalids. The poetry of Simonides of Magnesia celebrating a Seleucid king fighting the Galatians fits well into the political climate of that time. The second part of the chapter looks at Euphorion of Chalcis, a well-known poet who could be considered an heir of Callimachus. Euphorion never travelled to Alexandria and instead worked for Antiochus III, and his poetry shows a clear interest in Seleucid motives and themes. The chapter ends with a discussion of the work of Hegesianax of Alexandria Troas in the context of Seleucid interactions with Rome. It is shown that his work had a political dimension: Hegesianax’ history of the Troad also included an account of the foundation of Rome and its alleged links with Troy.