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Narratives in Silius Italicus’ Punica
Series: - The Language of Classical Literature, Volume: 38
Author:
This study investigates the role of embedded narratives in Silius Italicus’
Punica, an epic from the late first century AD on the Second Punic War (218–202 BC). At first sight, these narratives seem to be loosely ‘embedded’ in the epic, having their own plot and being situated in a different time or place than the main narrative. A closer look reveals, however, that they foreshadow or recall elements that are found elsewhere in the epic. In this way, they serve as ‘mirrors’ of the main narrative. The larger part of this book consists of four detailed case studies.
Pieter van den Broek, Ph.D. (2021), University of Amsterdam, is a researcher of Latin poetry from the imperial period. He has published articles on Ovid, Silius Italicus, Statius, and Valerius Flaccus. He teaches classics at the Stedelijk Gymnasium Schiedam.
“V.d.B.’s monograph offers an excellent contribution to the literary exegesis of Silius Italicus’
Punica and a highly appropriate addition to the series
The Language of Classical Literature. [...] This book is a splendid addition to Silian studies. It is suitable for a wide range of readers from the undergraduate level onwards. The clarity of its layout, helpful subheadings, detailed contents, bibliography, general index and index locorum, is enhanced by v.d.B.’s agreeably succinct and modestly magisterial style, very occasionally marred by linguistic inaccuracy and contorted spelling.” R Joy Littlehood,
The Classical Review, 2025 1-3.
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations of Editions and Reference Works
Texts and Translations
Introduction
1 Embedded Narratives in the Punica
2 Embedded Narratives and Their Functions
3 Embedded Narratives and Tactics of Delay
4 Embedded Narratives as mise en Abyme: The Example of Proteus
5 Theory and Method
6 Scope of This Study
7 Relevance of This Study
1 An Ambiguous Oracle from the Libyan Desert
1 In the Footsteps of Alexander
2 Synopsis of the Narrative
3 Narratological Structure
4 Intertextuality
5 The Function of the Narrative in the Punica
6 Conclusion
2 Regulus: an Exemplary Hero?
1 Introduction
2 Synopsis of the Narrative
3 Narratology
4 Marus as a Host
5 Exemplarity as Medicine?
6 Learning from the Past?
7 Marus’ First Narrative: The Fight with the Snake
8 Marus’ Second Narrative: The Defeat of Regulus
9 Conclusion
3 A Peaceful Theoxeny amidst Hannibal’s Fury
1 Introduction
2 A New Beginning
3 A Georgic World
4 The Story of Falernus as an Ideal Theoxeny
5 Lucanian Echoes
6 Falernus Overcome by Bacchus
7 Foaming Cups: Intra- and Intertextual Ramifications
8 The Falernus Episode and Hannibal’s Downfall
9 Bacchus as an Unstable Exemplar in the Punica
10 Conclusion
4 Anna and the Paradox of Cannae
1 Introduction
2 Juno’s Intervention in the War
3 Anna and Juturna
4 The Prooemium to the Narrative
5 Dido’s Death
6 Anna’s Stay at Cyrene
7 Sea Storm and Arrival in Latium
8 Anna Meets Aeneas
9 First Narrative of Anna: Dido’s Demise
10 Aeneas’ Narrative
11 Anna’s Second Narrative
12 Dido’s Final Words
13 Anna Tries to Become Dido (but Fails)
14 Reconciliation Prevented
15 Anna Decides to Flee
16 Anna’s Incitation of Hannibal
17 Hannibal’s Response
18 Conclusion
Conclusion
1 Embedded Narratives as Reflections of the Whole
2 Value of Combined Methodology
3 Narrative of Bostar
4 Narrative of Regulus
5 Narrative of Falernus
6 Narrative of Anna Perenna
7 Envoi
Bibliography
Index
Abbreviations of Editions and Reference Works
Texts and Translations
Introduction
1 Embedded Narratives in the Punica
2 Embedded Narratives and Their Functions
3 Embedded Narratives and Tactics of Delay
4 Embedded Narratives as mise en Abyme: The Example of Proteus
5 Theory and Method
6 Scope of This Study
7 Relevance of This Study
1 An Ambiguous Oracle from the Libyan Desert
1 In the Footsteps of Alexander
2 Synopsis of the Narrative
3 Narratological Structure
4 Intertextuality
5 The Function of the Narrative in the Punica
6 Conclusion
2 Regulus: an Exemplary Hero?
1 Introduction
2 Synopsis of the Narrative
3 Narratology
4 Marus as a Host
5 Exemplarity as Medicine?
6 Learning from the Past?
7 Marus’ First Narrative: The Fight with the Snake
8 Marus’ Second Narrative: The Defeat of Regulus
9 Conclusion
3 A Peaceful Theoxeny amidst Hannibal’s Fury
1 Introduction
2 A New Beginning
3 A Georgic World
4 The Story of Falernus as an Ideal Theoxeny
5 Lucanian Echoes
6 Falernus Overcome by Bacchus
7 Foaming Cups: Intra- and Intertextual Ramifications
8 The Falernus Episode and Hannibal’s Downfall
9 Bacchus as an Unstable Exemplar in the Punica
10 Conclusion
4 Anna and the Paradox of Cannae
1 Introduction
2 Juno’s Intervention in the War
3 Anna and Juturna
4 The Prooemium to the Narrative
5 Dido’s Death
6 Anna’s Stay at Cyrene
7 Sea Storm and Arrival in Latium
8 Anna Meets Aeneas
9 First Narrative of Anna: Dido’s Demise
10 Aeneas’ Narrative
11 Anna’s Second Narrative
12 Dido’s Final Words
13 Anna Tries to Become Dido (but Fails)
14 Reconciliation Prevented
15 Anna Decides to Flee
16 Anna’s Incitation of Hannibal
17 Hannibal’s Response
18 Conclusion
Conclusion
1 Embedded Narratives as Reflections of the Whole
2 Value of Combined Methodology
3 Narrative of Bostar
4 Narrative of Regulus
5 Narrative of Falernus
6 Narrative of Anna Perenna
7 Envoi
Bibliography
Index
Anyone interested in Silius Italicus'
Punica, imperial literature, Flavian epic, narratology and intertexuality.