A commentary on Vergil, Aeneid 3 / S. J. Heyworth & J. H. W. Morwood.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Heyworth, S. J., author.

Morwood, James, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Epic poetry, Latin--History and criticism.

Epic poetry, Latin.

Literature.

Rome--In literature.

Rome.

Rome (Empire).

Aeneis (Virgil).

Virgil. Aeneis--Liber 3.

Virgil.

Virgil--Criticism and interpretation.

Aeneas (Legendary character).

Aeneas.

Genre:

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Place of Publication:

Oxford University Press

Summary:

The Aeneid, generally considered the greatest poem of Roman literature, is a story of migration, and Book 3 is at the heart of this story-the arrestingly dramatic account that Aeneas gives to the Carthaginian Queen Dido of his people's journey from the sacked city of Troy. This journey sees them encounter a series of brilliantly characterized individuals and visit some of the most extraordinary places in the central Mediterranean, both real and imaginary: shrines and volcanoes, floating islands and monsters. Yet though it is on one level a thrilling traveller's tale, it is also a profound story of a voyage from a dead past to an uncertain, but ultimately glorious, future in Augustan Rome. This new edition contains an introduction, the Latin text, and a detailed commentary, as well as an extensive Appendix illustrating the rich variety of texts that Vergil used as his models through an ample collection of relevant passages: from the heroic voyages described in the Odyssey and the Argonautica, to tragic explorations of the aftermath of Troy's fall (especially Euripides' Hecuba, Troades, and Andromache) and texts on Delos and Etna. The introduction grounds the book in its historical and literary contexts, while the commentary itself aims to bring out the poet's artistry and learning, keeping the dramatic situation of Aeneas' story-telling in view throughout. Translations of all cited Latin and Greek and regular references to Roman history will provide readers new and old with a clear understanding not only of the original text, but also of the poet's vision of Rome, history, and humanity.

Contents:

Preface

Introduction

1. Vergil's poetic career, life, and times : Life and times

The Eclogues

The Georgics

2. THe Aeneid: a synopsis

3. Intertexts and influences : Homer

Tragedy

Hellenistic poetry

Latin poetry

4. Style

5. Context and themes

6. Metre, scansion, and versification

7. Text and transmission

8. Glossary

Maps : The voyage of Aeneas

The Aegean Sea

The Ionian Sea: western Greece and south Italy

Aeneid 3

Commentary

Appendix of major intertexts

Bibliography

Index

Index of passages cited, discussed, or scanned

Index of Latin words.

ISBN:

0-19-186457-9