Achilleid / Statius ; edited with introduction, apparatus criticus and notes by O.A.W. Dilke ; new introduction and bibliography by Robert Cowan.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Statius, P. Papinius (Publius Papinius)

Contributor:

Dilke, O. A. W. (Oswald Ashton Wentworth), 1915-1993.

Series:

Classic editions from Bristol Phoenix Press

Classic editions

Language:

English

Latin

Subjects (All):

Epic poetry, Latin--Translations into English.

Epic poetry, Latin.

Achilles (Mythological character)--Poetry.

Achilles.

Achilles (Mythological character).

Genre:

Poetry.

Physical Description:

xxvi, 161 pages ; 22 cm.

Place of Publication:

Exeter, Devon, UK : Bristol Phoenix, 2005.

Summary:

Statius' Achilleid is perhaps the most remarkable of all Latin epic poems. Its project-to tell the whole life of Achilles-was cut short by the poet's untimely death, yet the existing first book and the earliest part of the second have a charm and freshness matched only in some of Ovid's most lively and engaging work. The poem tells how the sea-nymph Thetis, in a vain attempt to save her son from his destined end in the Trojan war, hides him on the island of Scyros, disguised as a girl. There he falls in love with the beautiful Deidamia but at the same time with the idea of glory in war. His feminine disguise is eventually penetrated by Ulysses and Diomedes who trick him into exposure of his truly warlike aspirations.

In relating this story, Statius explores the nature of gender and the limits of the epic genre, while playfull and wittily positioning himself in the poetic tradition. All these themes are explored in Robert Cowan's new introduction, which surveys the latest research on the poem. This assessment, very much in the modern critical tradition, contrasts with and complements the traditional textual and philological commentary by Dilke. The combination will assist undergraduates and postgraduates in reading the text and at the same time provide a valuable resource for the more advanced scholar.

Contents:

Statius and the Achilleid vii

Gender ix

Genre xiii

Intertextuality xvii

Original Preface xxvi

Original Introduction

1 Life of Statius 3

2 Date of Composition of the Achilleid 6

3 Theme of the Achilleid 7

6 Language and Style 12

7 Grammar and Syntax 15

8 Character-drawing 18

9 Influence of Statius 18

10 Manuscripts 19

The Text.

Notes:

"Originally published in 1954 by Cambridge University Press"--T.p. verso.

Includes bibliographical references (pages xxiv-xxv) and index.

Translated from the Latin.

ISBN:

1904675115

OCLC:

56651790