Abstract
Abstract This article reviews two new commentaries on Silius Italicus’ Punica published in 2017 by Oxford University Press: by Neil Bernstein on book 2 and by Joy Littlewood on book 10. Both volumes offer an introduction, translation and commentary as well as an analysis of important thematic points. This review considers each book’s main strengths, discusses their limitations, and demonstrates their immense contribution to Flavian scholarship. Moreover, it examines the place of these two particular books in current Silian studies, considering how they inscribe themselves into current trends.
Highlights
Flavian literature (69-96 ad) is gaining ground after years of scholarly neglect
The commentaries cover a wide range of themes—from literature, history, geography and politics to narratology and metapoetics
This review aims to show that these two books might be perceived as strictly philological tools, they offer an invaluable source of information for the text of Silius, the first-century epic tradition and for our understanding of the politics of the early Empire for both undergraduate and postgraduate students and academics from various research backgrounds
Summary
Flavian literature (69-96 ad) is gaining ground after years of scholarly neglect. Silius Italicus – Punica – commentary – epic poetry – Flavian literature – intertextuality
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