Crises come in many forms. War, famine and illness plague humanity, and severe personal crises (conflict, rejection, loss) are also an integral part of human condition. Moreover, ‘crisis’ also forms a recurrent theme or even structural element in literary narratives. The challenge for individuals has always been to overcome crisis, both on a global and on a personal level. In different ages, such resilience has looked different. This volume focuses on the theme of crisis and resilience as it is depicted in Hellenistic Poetry. How is this topic presented in Hellenistic poetry, and what realities does this reflect? The authors discuss, among others, epic depictions of personal and political conflict and revenge, flight and ritual purification ( Argonautica ), attempts to reach peace of mind after heartbreak (Theocritus, epigram), the representation of personal crises in epigram, or the appeasing of angered divinities (Callimachus’ hymns).
