Vergil's Aeneid and the Roman self : subject and nation in literary discourse / Yasmin Syed.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Syed, Yasmin, 1964-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Virgil. Aeneis.

Virgil.

Epic poetry, Latin--History and criticism.

Epic poetry, Latin.

Aeneas (Legendary character) in literature.

Identity (Psychology) in literature.

National characteristics, Roman.

Literature and society--Rome.

Literature and society.

Group identity in literature.

Ethnic groups in literature.

Authors and readers--Rome.

Authors and readers.

Sex role in literature.

Self in literature.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (288 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Ann Arbor : University of Michigan Press, 2005.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

As the most widely read Roman poem in antiquity, the Aeneid was indelibly burned into the memories of generations of Roman school children. In her new book, Yasmin Syed analyzes the formative influence the poem exerted on its broad audience of educated Romans. Syed analyzes Roman pedagogy and reading practices as well as ancient beliefs about the powerful influence of poetry. Her study considers these cultural components together with the aspects of identity that define the Aeneid's characters. By doing so, Syed shows how Vergil's ancient audiences saw themselves---their experiences, goals, and values---reflected in the poem and guided by it. In particular, Syed's treatment of gender and ethnicity brings to light the key role of Vergil's poem in the formation of Romanity. Yasmin Syed is Visiting Assistant Professor of Classics at the University of California, Berkeley.

Contents:

Intro

Contents

Abbreviations

Introduction

Introduction to Second Edition

PART I. The Aeneid and Roman Identity

CHAPTER I. Vergills Aeneid in Roman Imperial Culture

CHAPTER 2. Poetry, Power, and the Emotions

PART 2. The Reader's Subject Position

CHAPTER 3. The Gaze

CHAPTER 4. The Spectacle of Emotions

PART 3. Gender and Ethnicity

CHAPTER 5. Gendered Emotions

CHAPTER 6. Gendered Ethnicity

CHAPTER 7. Cleopatra and the Politics of Gendered Ethnicity

CHAPTER 8. Romanitas

Conclusion

Notes

Bibliography

List of Passages Cited

Index.

Notes:

Based on the author's thesis (Ph.D.--University of California).

Includes bibliographical references (p. 255-268) and index.

ISBN:

1-282-59408-7

9786612594083

0-472-02569-4

OCLC:

613205840