Source edition
Aristides. Vol. 1. Dindorf, Wilhelm, editor. Leipzig: Reimer, 1829.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is an oratorical lament (monody) expressing deep mourning for the beautiful city of Smyrna, which was instantaneously devastated by a massive earthquake. The speaker begins by recalling the city's former glory, reminiscing about its harbor, streets, and magnificent structures that boasted flawless beauty from every angle, while deeply grieving its sudden loss. This catastrophe is depicted as an unprecedented tragedy of unparalleled magnitude, surpassing any historical event or disaster and deeply affecting the whole of Asia. Drawing comparisons to various mythical tales of mourning, the speaker sings of how the grief over the city's destruction and its legendary fame resonate even in the most distant lands. Through the vivid contrast between Smyrna's past peerless prosperity and its sudden ruin, the work leaves the audience with a profound sense of praise for lost beauty and the agonizing pain of its loss.