The fragments of late antique "patria"

The aim of this dissertation is to study a late antique literary phenomenon, i.e. the writing of patria. Byzantine sources such as Stephanus of Byzantium and the Suda apply this denomination to works narrating the mythical origin of Greek cities. From the second century AD onwards, many patria were written in the Eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. These texts seasoned their narration with antiquarian elements (such as the reference to particular cults or the description of ancient sanctuaries). They were usually written in verse and had strong connections with the Hellenistic κτίσεις and the imperial local histories. The first part of the dissertation provides a general introduction to this literary production. The second part presents a new critical edition of the fragmentary patria.