The New Posidippus - Leeds International Classical Studies

MARY FRANCES WILLIAMS, THE NEW POSIDIPPUS
Myron links this epigram to Myron’s cow in the sixth epigram; 181 reference to
colossal sculpture provides a link to the first poem (kolossîn Pos. X.8) and to
the epigram on Hecateus’ large statue (me]gšqei Pos. X.18), and also provides
balance to the collection by providing contrast with Theodamus’ minature
work. 182
4. Conclusion
Posidippus’ poems on sculpture are important statements of aesthetic theory
in which he both expresses Lysippean principles and echoes Aristotle. Posidippus’
emphases on accuracy, proportionality, and character refer to Lysippus’ artistic
philosophy. But Posidippus’ balance between realism and artistry and his interest
in idealized realism and in the visual suggest both Lysippus and Aristotle.
Furthermore, Posidippus’ attention to iconic realism, his distinction between the
heroic and the realistic, his interest in ‘dual-aspect mimeticism’, his emphasis on
understanding both appearance and constituent materials, his interest in
appropriate size, the relation between action and character, the importance of
action and speech and of realistically depicting ‘better people’, and his
incorporation of truth into mimesis are all Aristotelean.
Bibliography
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181 Pos. X.34-37 = 66 AB.
182 Pos. XI.1-5 = 67 AB.
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