The Loves of Daphnis and Chloe

The Love of Daphnis and Chloe (2nd century C.E.) is an ancient Greek romance novel by Longus. Set on Lesbos, it is a classic story of love set in a recognizably pastoral setting. An important early novel and a landmark in the development of Western literature, The Love of Daphnis and Chloe has inspired and influenced such wide-ranging artists as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Allan Ramsay, Marc Chagall, Colette, and Yukio Mishima.

Abandoned at birth, Daphnis is raised by a goatherd named Lamon on the island of Lesbos. Chloe, likewise abandoned, is raised by Dryas, a nearby shepherd. Living and working in the fields of their native land, the two become fast friends, frequently spending time together while herding their respective flocks. As they fall in love, with no model for romantic affection, Daphnis and Chloe struggle to understand their mutual feeling. Seeking the guidance of a wise cowherd, they are advised to share a kiss with one another, for only a kiss will cure their growing sickness. All too trusting, they follow the cowherd’s instruction, only to be plunged into deeper desire. Still unsure of how to show his affection, Daphnis journeys to the city, where an older woman educates him in the ways of love. Meanwhile, Chloe is kidnapped and taken to a faraway kingdom. Fearing the worst, Daphnis embarks on a journey to save her, facing pirates, pitfalls, and countless other dangers on his way. The Love of Daphnis and Chloe is not only a groundbreaking work of prose fiction, but a widely adapted model of classical romance that continues to be read and appreciated nearly two millennia after its publication.

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