More “Parfit Gentil Knyght” than “Hyrcanian Beast”: The Reception of Neoptolemos in Quintus Smyrnaeus’ Posthomerica

Abstract

The son of Achilleus is a far more amiable fellow in Quintus than previous mythological accounts would lead us to expect. In fact, the prevalent tendency in the Posthomerica is for Neoptolemos to be portrayed against type in a positive light.5 Quintus manipulates the narrative and the characterization of Neoptolemos, and those involved with him in some way, to achieve this effect. Initially, I will consider this tendency in the Posthomerica in general. Then, I will focus on a specific instance which highlights this point; the killing of Priam, and the ‘substitute’ scenes: the killings of Ilioneos and Astyanax.6 Finally, to avoid oversimplifying Quintus’ treatment of the young hero, I will consider the rather more ambiguous portrayal, the Polyxena sacrifice episode, followed by a brief biography of Neoptolemos’ post-Troy narrative. Through making extensive use of inter-