Building in words : the process of construction in Latin literature / Bettina Reitz-Joosse.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Reitz-Joosse, Bettina, author.

Series:

Classical culture and society.

Oxford scholarship online.

Classical culture and society

Oxford scholarship online

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Latin literature--History and criticism.

Latin literature.

Architecture and literature--Rome.

Architecture and literature.

Architectural inscriptions--Rome.

Architectural inscriptions.

Building in literature.

Architecture in literature.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (289 pages)

Place of Publication:

New York, New York : Oxford University Press, [2021]

Summary:

'Building in Words' explores the relationship between text and architecture in the Roman world from the perspective of architectural process. Ancient Romans frequently encountered buildings under construction - they experienced noisy building work, disruptive transportation of materials, and sometimes spectacular engineering feats. Bettina Reitz-Joosse analyzes how Roman authors responded to the process of building and construction in their literary works. Roman authors tell stories of architectural creation to give meaning to finished monuments. Their narratives can stress technological or logistic mastery or highlight morally problematic aspects of construction, particularly in large-scale engineering projects. While offering descriptions of the process of creating architecture, Roman writers also reflect on the creation of their own works.

Contents:

Introduction

1. Making memories : representing construction in Rome

2. Debating the draining of the Fucine Lake

3. Writing cities, founding texts : the city as poetological metaphor

4. Engineering poetry : the aesthetics of construction in Statius' Silvae

5. Walls of song : the myth of Amphion

6. Conclusion. Construction in reverse

Epilogue. Constructing romanità : the obelisk at the Foro Mussolini

Bibliography.

Notes:

Also issued in print: 2021.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

Other Format:

Print version: Reitz-Joosse, Bettina Building in Words

ISBN:

0-19-761069-2

0-19-761071-4

0-19-761070-6