Valerius Flaccus' Argonautica, Book 1: Edited with Introduction, Translation, and Commentary
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Author Description
A text (with apparatus criticus), translation, and commentary, with introduction, of the first book of Valerius Flaccus' Argonautica, an unfinished Roman epic extending to eight books and several thousand lines, written in the Flavian period (69-96 CE). The commentary addresses both textual and semantic matters and broader questions of stylistics, poetics, thematics, and cultural context. Particularly close attention is paid to Valerius' choice of diction, his sophisticated use of figures and tropes, his often sly erudition, the recurring and strategic resort to subtle intertextual gestures, and, where appropriate, the reception of his work in later authors. The substantial introduction provides an overview of the poet and his poem.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This volume investigates the linguistic, stylistic, and cultural complexities of the first book of Valerius Flaccus' Argonautica to provide a comprehensive scholarly framework for the epic. Andrew Zissos, a specialist in Flavian poetry, utilizes a rigorous philological approach to analyze the text, offering a critical edition, translation, and detailed commentary. The work situates the poem within its specific Flavian historical context while exploring the poet's sophisticated engagement with earlier literary traditions. By examining both textual minutiae and broader thematic structures, the author establishes a foundation for understanding Valerius' unique contribution to the Roman epic tradition.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A complete critical edition and English translation of Book 1 of the Argonautica.
- Detailed analysis of Valerius' use of tropes, figures of speech, and specific diction.
- Examination of intertextual relationships with earlier Greek and Roman authors.
- Contextualization of the poem within the Flavian period (69-96 CE).
Scope Limits
- The analysis is strictly limited to the first book of the eight-book epic.
- The volume does not provide a comprehensive study of the entire Argonautica or its later reception beyond specific relevant instances.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and students of Latin literature frequently cite this work as a vital resource for navigating the technical and stylistic challenges of Flavian epic poetry. The commentary is widely recognized for its academic rigor and its ability to illuminate the subtle, erudite nature of Valerius' writing.
Page Count:
520
Publication Date:
2008-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191527491
ISBN-13:
9780191527494
Poetry
Epic Poetry
English
Ancient History
Literary Criticism
English & College Success
Latin
Latin poetry
Academic
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