Miti, miti in miniatura, miti senza racconto. Note a quattro epilli (Mosch. "Eur." 58-62, Catull. 64,89-90, Verg. "georg." IV 507-515, Ou. "met." XI 751-795)

The pattern ‘frame and inset’ is a characteristic feature of Roman epyllion. Under this respect, Moschus’ Europa was a precursor of it. This study surveys the development of the type within Latin literature from Catullus to Ovid – i.e. from problematic unity to mannerism and play with forms – focusing on some passages of highly representative and influencial poems.