Romanzo greco ed epistolografia : il caso di Teofilatto Simocatta

Scholars are inclined to think that direct knowledge of the Greek romance ceased at the end of the 6th Century CE.; this should explain why quotations from a Greek novelist like Xenophon of Ephesus can be found in the epistolary collection of Aristaenetus (first half of the 6th Century), whereas no imitation from any romance has ever been traced in Teophylactus Simocatta’s letters (first half of the 7th Century). This paper analyses some passages in Theophylactus’ collection which seem to weaken this conclusion: it seems likely that Theophylactus did know at least the first two books of Achilles Tatius’ Leucippe and Clitophon, because evidence showing direct imitation (both in themes and in style) is very strong.