Claudian the Poet

by Clare Coombe

Overview

This comprehensive reassessment of the carmina maiora of the fourth-century poet Claudian contributes to the growing trend to recognize that Late Antique poets should be approached as just that: poets. Its methodology is developed from that of Michael Roberts' seminal The Jeweled Style. It analyzes Claudian's poetics and use of story telling to argue that the creation of a story world in which Stilicho, his patron, becomes an epic hero, and the barbarians are giants threatening both the borders of Rome and the order of the very universe is designed to convince his audience of a world-view in which it is only the Roman general who stands between them and cosmic chaos. The book also argues that Claudian uses the same techniques to promote the message that Honorius, young hero though he may seem, is not yet fit to rule, and that Stilicho's rightful position remains as his regent.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781107058347
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/22/2018
Pages:	254
Product dimensions:	6.22(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.67(d)

About the Author

Clare Coombe is Head of Classics at The Oratory School, Reading and retains a research interest in Late Antique and Early Christian Latin poetry.

Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. In Rufinum: heroes, monsters, and the universe in the balance; 2. The universe ready to be destabilized (IV Cons., Stil., Rapt., Epith.); 3. Monsters ready to destabilize the universe (c.m.53, Gig.Gr., Rapt., Eut., VI Cons., Get.); 4. The hero keeping the universe stable and restoring the Golden Age (Stil., c.m.27, Get.); 5. Not quite the hero (IV Cons., Fesc., Epith.); 6. The deceitful poet (Rapt., Epith., Get., VI Cons., Eut.); Conclusion.