Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics

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Metrics
(4,956 words)

Abstract

Metrics is the study of the formal properties of poetry. In Greek meter these involve primarily the distribution of heavy and light syllables in feet and metra and the regulations of word-end in various places in a line via caesurae and bridges.

1. Introduction

Metrics is the study of the formal properties of poetry, including the length and internal composition of lines and other recurring units of poems. The main meter of epic poetry is the d…

Cite this page
Chris Golston, “Metrics”, in: Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics, General Editor: Georgios K. Giannakis. Consulted online on 31 March 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2214-448X_eagll_COM_00000233>
First published online: 2013



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