Novel and Progymnasmata: the exercise of narration in Leucippe and Clitophon

Abstract

The exercise of narration (διήγημα) lies at the base of the Greek novel, as a literary genre in prose. The Progymnasmata draw a distinction among mythical, fictive, civil and historical narrations. In this novel we find examples of the three former narration types, being the fictive one the most recurrent category, since it is inherent to the genre. Some examples of the three types are discussed and it is highlighted how the novelist makes an agile and masterful use of the recommendations prescribed by the Progymnasmata.