Lucan: De bello civili Book II

by Lucan, Elaine Fantham (Editor)

Overview

This edition offers the first full-scale commentary on the neglected second book of Lucan's epic poem on the civil war between Caesar and Pompey: De bello civili. It pays particular attention to Lucan's inheritance from Virgil's Augustan epic and response to its challenge. The introduction gives a general account of Lucan's life and work, a discussion of his narrative, a survey of language, style and meter, and a brief history of the text. The commentary offers assistance with grammar and translation and aims to provide the political, historical and geographical background to Lucan's epic narrative.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521422413
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	06/26/1992
Series:	Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	260
Product dimensions:	5.08(w) x 8.23(h) x 0.67(d)

Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. De bello civili: the poet and the poem; 2. Lucan's work in the epic tradition; 3. The Civil War: history and poetic interpretation; 4. Language, style and versification; 5. The text M. Annaei Lvcani De bello civili liber secvndvs; Commentary; Chronological table of events from 88–49 BC; Parallel summaries of Lucan, De bello civili I-II, Livy, Periocha and Caesar, Bellum civile 1; Appendices: 1. A Neronian critic of Lucan?; 2. The capture of Corfinium; 3. Cato's decision and Seneca's appraisal; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"From the commentary's wealth of insights, observations and contextualizations one could single out items from every page which are worthy of note or lead to further literary reflection. Suffice it to say that in the preparation of this commentary [Elaine Fantham] has done Lucan and his readers an extremely valuable and lasting service." Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"This edition has much to offer to reader of the Pharsalia at any level whether he be newcomer, graduate student, or veteran of Lucan studies." Classical World

From the Publisher