Silius Italicus: Punica, Book 13: Edited with Introduction, Translation, and Commentary (Oxford Commentaries on Flavian Poetry)

Book 13 of Silius Italicus' Punica marks an important turning point in this Latin epic poem on the Second Punic War. After twelve books of Carthaginian dominance, Rome begins to gain the upper hand. Following his failed attempt to attack Rome, Hannibal is devastated to learn that his role model Diomedes had provided Aeneas' heirs with the protective talisman of the Palladium, and leaves for southern Italy. This allows the Romans to finish their siege of Capua, Hannibal's rich ally in Italy, in punishment for its treachery; Capua's fall marks the beginning of the end for Carthage. The book's central theme of the anticipation of Rome's destined victory is continued in the third and longest part of the book, where young Scipio, the future Africanus, ventures into the underworld, and into the depths of the rich poetic past, to be inspired by the shades he encounters and to define his own position as an epic hero. This volume presents the first full-scale literary and linguistic analysis of the entirety of Punica 13, including the famous Nekyia episode. The notes, which cover matters of syntax, textual criticism, style, a selection of realia , and important verbal and conceptual parallels, are complemented with extended introductory paragraphs for each scene focusing on poetic models, themes, intertextual interpretation, and narrative structure. C. M. van der Keur's General Introduction discusses the book against its Flavian background, its position within the epic and within the literary tradition, and Silius' use of metre and verse composition. The Latin text is presented alongside an English translation. Cover Silius Italicus Copyright Preface Contents List of Abbreviations Note to the Reader General Introduction 1. Silius’ Life 2. The dating of the Punica and its relation to contemporary Rome 3. The structure of Punica 13 3.1. Hannibal’s retreat (1–93) 3.2. The fall of Capua (94–380) 3.3. Scipio’s Nekyia (381–895) 3.4. The internal cohesion of Punica 13 4. Intertextuality and motifs 4.1. Silius’ allusive technique 4.2. Historical intertext: Livy 4.3. Poetic models and motifs 4.3.1. Haunting Dido 4.3.2. Heirs of Troy 4.3.3. Civil war 4.4. Metapoetics 5. The position of book 13 in the Punica 5.1. A new phase in the war (The decline of Carthage, 11–17) 5.2. Hannibal’s exit (The epic mission of Scipio, 13–17) 5.2.1. Hannibal’s failed repetition 5.2.2. The Nekyia: the preparation of Scipio 5.2.3. The anticipation of the end 6. Metre and verse composition 6.1. Metrical patterns 6.2. Patterned lines 6.3. Some other patterns of word order 6.3.1. Expressive framing 6.3.2. Word pictures 6.3.3. Significant juxtaposition 7. Text, transmission, and translation Text and Translation Sigla Secondary manuscripts: Early printed editions: Editions (and conjectures there cited): Abbreviations and notes: Sili Italici Punicorum Liber Tertius Decimus Silius Italicus Punica, Book 13 Commentary 1–29 Hannibal Reinvigorates His Men 30–93 The Story of the Palladium A sociopolitical reading of Dasius’ story 94–141 The Siege of Capua and the Omen of the White Hind The white hind of Capua 142–178 The Duel Between Taurea and Claudius 179–255 The Assault on Capua Analysis of the battle narrative 256–298 The Last Night of Capua The Saguntine Suicides The Suicide of Dido and the fall of Carthage Furious Vengeance: Valerius’ Venus and Silius’ Fides Varro–Virrius: Instruments of Doom 299–347 The Capitulation of Capua and Pan’s Intervention 348–380 Aftermath of The Fall of Capua 381–416 Scipio’s Grief and His Visit to The Priestess of Cumae 417–493 The Sacrifice to The Dead; Conversation With Appius Claudius 494–516 The ancient Sibyl’s prophecy The Two Priestesses 517–614 The Description of The Underworld The Field and the Ten Gates The Infernal Rivers The Judgement in the Underworld Interpretation of the Sibyl’s description 615–649 Scipio’s Mother, Pomponia 650–704 Scipio’s Father and Uncle 705–761 Roman War-Heroes and Hamilcar; the Lawgivers Paulus Lessons for Scipio Hamilcar 762–805 Greek Ghosts: Alexander, Homer, and The Iliadic Heroes 806–850A The Ghosts of Virtuous and Wicked Women 850B–895 Roman Civil War and Hannibal’s End The Hannibalic War as analogy to civil war Connections with other parts of the Punica Bibliography Editions, Commentaries, Translations Other works Index Locorum General Index Latin Words and Phrases