novel, Greek

novel, Greek
Extended prose narrative fiction is a latecomer to Greek literature. It is first recognizable in a lively account of the Assyrian king Ninus' courtship of a 14-year old Semiramis, preserved on a papyrus dated by a document on its verso to earlier than AD 100–1 and by its script to between 50 BC and AD 50. Its composition need not be earlier, though some conjecture c.100 BC. Of the authors of the five novels to survive complete, Chariton (known, like Metiochus and Parthenope, from papyri and oriental descendants) probably belongs to the later 1st cent. ad, though a date as late as Hadrian is possible; Xenophon of Ephesus to the first half of the 2nd cent., and Achilles Tatius to the second; Longus is perhaps late 2nd or early 3rd cent. ad, while both early 3rd and late 4th cent. ad are claimed for Heliodorus. Only Iamblichus' Babylonian History, known from fragments and Photius' epitome, is firmly dated...

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