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Asclepiad measure

Meter
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A classical metrical line composed of a choriamb followed by two iambic feet, used in Aeolic verse

Detailed Definition
Asclepiad measure is a classical metrical form named after the Hellenistic poet Asclepiades, consisting of a specific arrangement of long and short syllables: typically two long syllables followed by a choriamb (long-short-short-long) and ending with a long syllable (– – u u – –); used by Horace in Latin lyric poetry, it conveys a stately, meditative rhythm suited to reflective or amorous themes.
Example
Example in poetry:
Horace’s Odes I.1 opens with an Asclepiad line: “Maecenas atavis edite regibus”; Greek poet Alcaeus used Asclepiads in political lyrics; Catullus 30 employs Asclepiad meter in Latin lyric; modern attempts include A.E. Housman’s imitations in “More Poems.”
Additional Notes
Asclepiad measure is a classical Greek and Latin metrical form built around a choriamb (long-short-short-long) core, often used in Horatian odes; rare in English but influential in neoclassical adaptations.
Also Known As
Asclepiadean meter Horatian asclepiad choriambic measure classical asclepiad Asclepiad line Asclepiadic line
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