Artamènes; or, The Grand Cyrus
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Artamène; ou, le grand Cyrus (Artamenes; or, The Grand Cyrus) is a monumental novel written by Madeleine de Scudéry and published between 1649 and 1653. It is a sprawling adventure story set in ancient Persia, characteristic of the heroic ideal prevalent in 17th-century French literature.
The novel is known for its immense length, originally published in ten volumes. It features complex plots and a focus on the analysis of passions, reflecting the society and literary tastes of its time. Scudéry herself is depicted as a character named Sappho within the novel. While immensely popular with contemporary readers, Artamène also faced criticism for its length and style.
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