Xenophon's Ephesian Tale

Question 1

who are the main characters in Ephesian Tale?

Answer 1

• Habrocomes (hero, nobleman from Ephesus, husband of Anthia)
• Anthia (heroine, beautiful woman from Ephesus, wife of Habrocomes)
• Leucon & Rhode (slaves of Habrocomes & Anthia)
• Corymbos (pirate captain involved in the kidnapping of Habrocomes & Anthia)
• Apsyrtos (bandit leader who captures Anthia & Habrocomes, sells Anthia)
• Hippothous (nobleman turned bandt, friend & helper to. Habrocomes)
• Manto (daughter of Egyptian priest, infatuated w/ Habrocomes while he is enslaved)

Question 2

what are the main plot points of Ephesian Tale?

Answer 2

• Habrocomes & Anthia marry then travel abroad to avoid bad omens predicted by oracle
• captured by pirates (incl. Corymbos) & are sold into slavery in diff. regions
• Anthia is falsely believed to be dead, unsuccessfully attempts suicide & is enslaved again
• Habrocomes purchased by Manto’s father
• Habrocomes rejects Manto who falsely accuses him of raping her → he’s imprisoned & tortured
• Habrocomes released & meets Hippothous (they become friends & travel together to find Anthia)
• Anthia forced to marry nobleman Lampo (slave of Manto) but remains loyal (does not consummate marriage)
• Hippothous finds Anthia → she & Habrocomes recognize each other & are reunited

Question 3

what is the literary & historical context of Ephesian Tale?

Answer 3

• date unknown but pre-Second Sophistic
• single manuscript
• 5-10 books long?

Question 4

what main themes of the course are reflected in Ephesian Tale?

Answer 4

• quest theme (cf. Odyssey)
• trial & justice (cf. Callirhoe)
• hyperbole & melodrama