The mythic voice of Statius
Subtitle: power and politics in the Thebaid
By: by William J. Dominik.
Series: Mnemosyne, bibliotheca classica Batava.; 136
Publisher: E.J. Brill
Published: 1994
Place of publication: Leiden; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 198
Subjects: Statius, P. Papinius; Seven against Thebes (Greek mythology) in literature.; Political poetry, Latin -- History and criticism.; Epic poetry, Latin -- History and criticism.; Power (Social sciences) in literature.; Politics and literature -- Rome.; Sibling rivalry in literature.; Polyneices (Greek mythology); Eteocles (Greek mythology); Thebes (Greece) -- In literature.
Description: This is the first thematic study of Statius' Thebaid to be published in monograph form in English in over twenty years. It examines in detail the thematic design and intent of the Thebaid and considers the question of its contemporary relevance. The book focuses on the central theme of power - how it is exercised on the supernatural and human levels and the consequences of its pursuit and abuse in terms of the human condition. An ensuing discussion explores the political undercurrents of the epic. This discussion is in four main parts: 1 'Use and Abuse of Supernatural Power'; 2 'Pursuit and Abuse of Monarchal Power'; 3 'Consequences of the Abuse of Power'; and 4 'Political Relevance to Contemporary Rome'.

The views expressed represent a fundamental departure from previous studies and constitute a critical reassessment of the Thebaid. The provision of translations makes the book accessible to the Latinless reader.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [184]-190) and indexes.