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MEISTER, K., Die Homerische Kunstsprache. Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, Darmstadt, 1966. Photomechanical reprint ed.1921. VIII/262p. Reprint 1921. Original burgundy cloth. Spine gilt titled. Cloth bit discoloured. Ex libris glued to paste-down endpaper. Pages a bit yellowed. ‘Meister’s treatment of the interrelation between Homeric verse in language in the first part (pp.3-58) of this volume seems to me a masterly piece of constructive work. (…) Most valuable of all is the section (pp.45-56) in which Meister discusses the problem of verse ictus. (…) The remarks on the pre-Homeric hexameter, with their prudent skepticism, the wise suggestion that it was perhaps freer and not stricter than the Homeric verse, and the interesting observation of the non-Indo-European character of words connected with music - contrast the words of saying - form a fitting conclusion. The second part (pp.61-252), Archaische und moderne Formen, offers a more difficult problem. Meister has been captivated (p.vi) by the analysis of the ‘Iliad’ recently published by Wilamowitz to whom he has dedicated his work. He must have seen like the reviewer that with the current view of the Homeric language, Wilamowitz’ analysis is impossible; and the present section may be described as an attempt to construct a new history of the epic dialect under which Wilamowitz’ analysis can live. It is a good thing that the attempt should have been made, and certainly it could never have been made in more able and brilliant fashion. The problems raised will need careful testing in detail.’ (GEORGE MELVILLE BOLLING in Classical Philology, 1923, pp. 266-269). € 30.00 (Antiquarian)