A commentary on Lucan, "De bello civili IV" : introduction, edition and translation / by Paolo Asso.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Asso, Paolo, 1965-

Series:

Texte und Kommentare

Texte und Kommentare : eine altertumswissenschaftliche Reihe ; Bd. 33

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Epic poetry, Latin--History and criticism.

Epic poetry, Latin.

Rome--History--Civil War, 49-45 B.C--Literature and the war.

Rome.

Lucan, 39-65. Pharsalia--Liber 4.

Lucan.

Caesar, Julius--In literature.

Caesar, Julius.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (343 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Berlin ; New York : Walter de Gruyter, c2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Book 4 of Lucan's epic contrasts Europe with Africa. At the battle of Lerida (Spain), a violent storm causes the local rivers to flood the plain between the two hills where the opposing armies are camped. Asso's commentary traces Lucan's reminiscences of early Greek tales of creation, when Chaos held the elements in indistinct confusion. This primordial broth sets the tone for the whole book. After the battle, the scene switches to the Adriatic shore of Illyricum (Albania), and finally to Africa, where the proto-mythical water of the beginning of the book cedes to the dryness of the desert. The narrative unfolds against the background of the War of the Elements. The Spanish deluge is replaced by the desiccated desolation of Africa. The commentary contrasts the representations of Rome with Africa and explores the significance of Africa as a space contaminated by evil, but which remains an integral part of Rome. Along with Lucan's other geographic and natural-scientific discussions, Africa's position as a part of the Roman world is painstakingly supported by astronomic and geographic erudition in Lucan's blending of scientific and mythological discourse. The poet is a visionary who supports his truth claims by means of scientific discourse.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Table of Contents

Introduction

Text and Translation

Commentary

Part I: The Battle of Ilerda 1-401

Part II: Mutual suicide: Volteius and the Opitergians 402-581

Part III: Curio in Africa 581-824

Backmatter

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contains:

Lucan, 39-65. Pharsalia. Liber 4. English & Latin.

ISBN:

9786612716249

9781282716247

1282716247

9783110216516

3110216515

OCLC:

647916304