This Ph.D. project analyses form, structure and function of spatial representations in the Greek novels. These novels have long been regarded as a tightly knit generic corpus and been read as mere cosmetic recyclings of the same story. Yet recent research concentrated increasingly on the differences between the individual texts.

Research

By focussing on space as a central theme in the novels and by analysing its intersection with characters and action this project aims to contribute to this latter interpretation of the texts. The methodological approach is pluralistic, drawing mainly on narratology, metaphor and intertextuality.

A major result so far is the revised and augmented version of a narratological approach to space which facilitates a precise identification and analysis of several different forms of spatial representations in the novels. The close reading of relevant passages revealed that the thematization topic and the representation of space is pervasive throughout narratological levels and forges connections with other structural elements such as plot or the crafting of characters. Also, Nina Ogrowsky presented her project at the International Conference on the Ancient Novel in Houston, Texas, in October 2015.

This Ph.D. thesis is being written within the program “Ancient Languages and Texts” (ALT) at the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS).