Originally published in 1934, this book contains the first volume of Atkins' 'sketch' of the development of ancient literary criticism. Atkins begins his history with a look at the styles of literary criticism prevalent in ancient Greece, and includes the responses of figures such as Aristophanes, Plato and Callimachus to changes in the literature of their day. This work is aimed primarily at those with little to no classical background and will be of value to anyone with an interest in literary criticism.

J. W. H. Atkins was a Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge and Emeritus Professor of English Language and Literature, University of Aberystwyth

1. Introduction 2. The Beginnings: Aristophanes 3. The attack on Poetry: Plato 4. The Development of Poetic Theory: Aristotle 5. The Development of Rhetorical Theory: Isocrates, Aristotle and Theophrastus 6. The New Poetics: Neoptolemus of Parium, Callimachus and Aristarchus