The Love of Clitophon and Leucippe

The Love of Clitophon and Leucippe is an ancient Greek romance novel by Achilles Tatius. Considered an important predecessor to the modern novel, The Love of Clitophon and Leucippe has served as a model for such writers as Eusthathius Macrembolites and Alonso Nuñez de Reinoso. The novel remains central to scholarship regarding the tradition of Greek romance novels written within the vast Roman Empire, and has been translated into numerous languages throughout the centuries. Of particular interest is its uncommon usage of first person narration, as well as its employment of ekphrasis and mythological digressions, formulas now commonplace, albeit in varying ways, within modern novel writing. Clitophon is a young man engaged to be married to his half-sister, Calligone. When his distant cousin Leucippe comes to Tyre to visit family, however, Clitophon finds himself hopelessly in love with her. As his wedding day approaches, Clitophon struggles with whether to commit to his vows or follow his wayward heart. Before he can decide, however, a man intending to kidnap Leucippe accidentally takes Calligone to Byzantium instead, where she is forced into marriage with Kallisthenes, her captor. No longer tied to his vows, Clitophon pursues Leucippe, with whom he elopes after a period of rejection from her mother. Sailing from Tyre, they are shipwrecked during a violent storm. Washing up on the coast of Egypt, Clitophon is rescued while Leucippe is captured by a group of bandits who resolve to sacrifice the young maiden. The Love of Clitophon and Leucippe is a story of love at first sight, of trial and error, and the lengths to which lovers will go to live with and for one another. This edition of Achilles Tatius’ The Love of Clitophon and Leucippe is a classic of ancient Greek literature reimagined for modern readers.

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