The brief outline of this period should not be concluded without a few words concerning the Greek Anthologies or Collections of epi grams, beginning with Meleager (c. 60 a.c.), and the much later and enlarged collections of Agathias (6th century A.D.) • the Palatine Anthology' of Cephalas (10th century A.D.), and the Planudean Anthology' (14th century A.D.). In these large collections we possess several thousand short poems or epigrams (in the Greek sense of the term), largely in the elegiac meter, dating from 700 B.c. to 1000 A.D. Many of these little poems treating of love, life, death, fate, etc., are charming; some have genuine inspiration.
The Byzantine Period to the Fall of Con stantinople (527-1453 A.D.).— By the desig nation Byzantine we mean the long period of many centuries during which Byzantium (Con stantinople) was the centre of Greek culture in the East. The 'language which was the medium of expression of this culture was still Greek; the civilization was naturally much influ enced by In literature there was great productivity but it is, on the whole, lacking in originality and has little interest for the modern world except for the theologian, the historian, or the specialist. The field is enormous and can be but briefly surveyed here. In the early part of the Byzantine period theology held a domi nant position in intellectual interest. The mass of theological literature is great and includes such writings as the works of the famous scholars, Eusebius, Synesius, Basil, Gregory of Nyssa and Gregory of Nazianzus, and Saint Chrysostom. These Christian Fathers, many of whom are of the 4th century A.D., might, with greater chronological accuracy, be placed in the Graeco-Roman period, but in their influence and interests they are rather Byzantine. John of Damascus (8th century A.D.) and Phatius (9th century A.D.) must also be mentioned among the prominent theologians whose writ ings and teachings were influential. Second in importance in this age is historical writing. This province is represented by Procopius, who wrote of the times of Justinian; Agathias (6th century); Nicephorus Briennius, and his wife Anna Comnena (11th century A.D.). Among
the compilers, or chroniclers, who have handed down accounts of the Byzantine Empire, are Theophanes, Georgius Monachus, and John Zonaras. Philosophy, lacking a congenial en vironment, did not flourish during this period. Rhetoric was industriously cultivated but the voluminous literary output is of indescribable aridity and dreariness. (Consult Walz, Rhetores Grwci,' 9 vols.). Of especial value to modern students are the numerous stupid, but often extremely helpful, compilations, commentaries, lexicons, etc., which are based upon, or are explanatory of, the ancient classical writers. We possess, for example, the Lexica of Suidas, Photius, and the 'Etymologicum Magnum' ; the 'Scholia' (explanatory notes) of Eustathius on Homer; and the commentaries of Tzetzes, of Moschopulus, and Thomas Magister. Of decided importance is the or 'Mu riobiblonl of Photius, patriarch of Constan tinople (9th century A.D.). In this work he has handed down to us abstracts and critiques of some 280 ancient hooks. Since many of these works are now lost these synopses are of value. Unfortunately Photius neglects poetry and over-emphasizes the theological writers. The best poetry of the Byzantine period is to be found in he Greek 'Anthology.' An account of this great collection of short poems has already been given. For a scholarly and detailed treatment of this whole Byzantine era in literature the reader should consult Krumbacher, 'Geschichte der byzantinischen Litteratur' (Munich 1897). See BYZANTINE LITERATURE.
Croiset, A. and M., 'Manuel d'histoire de fa litterature grecque' (Paris 1896-1900), probably the best work on the subject in any language; Christ-Schmid, 'Ges chichte d. griech. Litteratur' (Munich 1908 13), a very useful handbook; Wright, W. C., 'A Short History of Greek Literature' (New York 1907), with serviceable special bibliographies; Murray, G., 'History of An cient Greek Literature' (1897) • Capps, E., 'Homer to Theocritus' (New York 1901), a good introduction especially for the student Ignorant of Greek.