Acknowledgements

More than seventeen years ago, Hans Smolenaars introduced me to the wondrous world of Flavian epic. I immediately fell in love with the highly complex literary style of these texts. Hans made me aware of their intertextual and intratextual richness. Under his supervision, I investigated an embedded narrative in Statius’ Thebaid for my MA thesis. Although I have strayed off to Silius, this study still bears many traces of his fundamental scholarly influence on me.

This book is a revised version of my doctoral thesis, which I defended at the University of Amsterdam in September 2021. I am grateful for the support of Irene de Jong, who strongly encouraged me to pursue a doctorate and to apply for a scholarship for secondary school teachers. Mark Heerink soon joined as second supervisor. I could not have wished for a better pair of promotores. I have benefited from Irene’s wide expertise in ancient epic and narratology. She showed me the value of accessible and clear academic writing. Her acute eye saved me from many a mistake. I have greatly benefited from the directness of her feedback and her confidence in my abilities. Mark was essential for his profound knowledge of Flavian epic—and of Greek and Latin literature in general. The decipherment of his abundant scribbly notes in the margins of my drafts was not always easy, but certainly worthwhile: they were a treasure-trove of necessary questions, interesting thoughts or relevant scholarship. I cherish the memories of our conversations in various cafes in Amsterdam, Leiden, and Cologny.

This book could not have been completed without the support of many institutions and individuals. A generous grant of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) made it possible for me to combine teaching classics in secondary school with doing research. It also allowed me to attend symposia and visit research institutes abroad. Throughout these years, several rectores and other colleagues of Stedelijk Gymnasium Schiedam have shown unwavering support for my academic aspirations by providing the necessary working conditions and words of encouragement.

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) proved to be an inspiring academic environment. Staff members of the Amsterdam Centre of Ancient Studies and Archaeology (ACASA) have welcomed me in their midst and supported me along the way. The University Library of the UvA (UBA) was of great help to me: a special thanks to the people of the interlibrary loan department and to Lidie Koeneman, librarian of classics and philosophy, who was always willing to acquire books that were necessary for my research. Many scholars were so kind to provide me personally with (drafts of) their articles or books. I mention Angeline Chiu, Stephen Heyworth, Casper de Jonge, François Spaltenstein, and Maria Vinchesi.

I have benefited from the expertise and acumen of the members of my doctorate committee. Their questions, suggestions, and lists of errata have had a huge impact on the book. I especially want to thank Piet Gerbrandy, Stephen Harrison, Michiel van der Keur, and Ruurd Nauta, whose advise on both large and small issues greatly improved this study.

A warm word of thanks to the wonderful people of the Fondation Hardt in Vandœuvres, especially Heidi del Lago and Gary Vachicouras. My frequent visits over the years turned out to be both enjoyable and productive, as most of the chapters came to fruition in this locus amoenus.

The production of this book was a pleasant experience due to the supportive assistance of Wai Min Kan, Marlou Meems, Giulia Moriconi, and others at Brill. Another NWO grant allowed this book to be published in open access.

I thank my family and friends for their interest and support. Ai Ling Kloprogge helpfully commented on parts of this book. I am grateful to Anita Rademakers for the many ‘koffiekansen’ in Katoen that gave me the opportunity to bother her with my struggles of combining teaching in secondary school with a parttime life at the university. My parents, Gerda and Dirk van den Broek, have always encouraged my academic interests. For my choice of classical studies I have to blame my father, who took me as a ten-year-old to Rome—a journey that proved to be lifechanging.

Above anyone else, I owe the completion of my epic journey to Fresco Sam-Sin, my comes aeternus. During all these years he spurred me on and put me back on track when I had lost directions. Thank you for your patience and allowing me to spend many weekends and holidays with Silius rather than with you. It is to you that I dedicate this book.