Commentary on the Pseudonymous Letters of Aeschines

by Zilong Guo

Book cover: Commentary on the Pseudonymous Letters of Aeschines

Extent: 428 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Classical Studies, Literary Studies

Series: Themes and Forms in Graeco-Roman Literature

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(November 2025)

ISBN: 9783161646881

6.1 x 9.13 inches

Price: $179.00

In stock

Zilong Guo examines the letters attributed to Aeschines, highlighting their blend of literary traditions. Through analysis and commentary, he reveals their role in Greek literature, from rhetorical exercises to epistolary fiction, and offers insight into their historical and literary significance.


Through a comprehensive introduction and detailed commentary, Zilong Guo reappraises the letters attributed to the Attic orator Aeschines. These letters merit a place in Greek literature for their synthesis of preexisting literary forms. Letters 2, 3, 7, 11, and 12 imitate the letters of Demosthenes in a manner akin to rhetorical exercises. Letters 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 exhibit features reminiscent of the epistolary fiction that flourished in the first centuries AD. Letter 4 is a prose paraphrase of Pindar’s victory odes. Like other literary forgeries, these letters are both problematic and fascinating. Likely products of rhetorical culture, they nevertheless hold a unique place as early – and remarkably successful – examples of how literary and political trends were interwoven to (re)shape the Classical tradition.

  • By (author) Zilong Guo