الفهرس 
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Abstract
Asclepiades of Samos Ἀσκληπιάδης ὁ Σάμιος (also known as Sicelidas) (fl. 270 BC) is a particularly distinguished epigrammatist in the Hellenistic period.1 But for the anthology of Meleager of Gadara (c. 140 BC - c. 70 BC), The Garland, which later became the basis for the Greek Anthology, Asclepiades’ works (around 47 epigrams in toto, around 14 of which are spurious) could have totally vanished leaving us with only a name.2
As far as the social theme is concerned in the epigrams of Asclepiades, his works mirrored the mindset and general mood of his society. Thus, he was one of the precursors of love epigrams who injected the love trend, as a focal point and primary motif, into his epigrams. Being influenced by the elegiac nature of epigrams and the political mood of his time; that is of alienation (from the polis), his topics were quite affected and reflected in his love theme, which included despair, suffering in love and disloyalty. In addition, as a result of the central political system (monarchy), Asclepiades’ writings took a greatly individualistic and subjective turn. Furthermore,
there is no doubt that the sensual hedonistic propensity had played its role in turning Asclepiades’ love ’eros’ into erotic ’eros’. All these elements will be previewed through a social angle in this thesis.
As for the religious theme in the epigrams of Asclepiades, it is even more mind-provoking. How far did the Greeks of the Hellenistic period relate matters of the heart to their gods, especially Ἀφροδίτη Aphrodite and Ἔρως Eros? We can also cross-examine this religious aspect with the social aspect, which will bring about more intriguing results. Asclepiades’ invocations and pleadings to the gods, especially Aphrodite and Eros, because he is madly love-struck, are telling examples of the poet’s relationship with his gods. Multiple social and religious aspects can be inferred, deduced and detected from reading the lines - and between the lines - of the epigrams of Asclepiades of Samos. These aspects just unravel themselves if one keeps the epigrams on close inspection.