CHAPTER IV.

ANTIQUITY IN ROMANCE.

Oddity of the Classical Romance. Its importance. The Troy story. The Alexandreid. Callisthenes. Latin versions. Their story. Its developments. Alberic of Besançon. The decasyllabic poem. The great _Roman d'Alixandre_. Form, &c. Continuations. _King Alexander._ Characteristics. The Tale of Troy. Dictys and Dares. The Dares story. Its absurdity. Its capabilities. Troilus and Briseida. The _Roman de Troie_. The phases of Cressid. The _Historia Trojana_. Meaning of the classical romance 148