Utopia Antiqua: Readings of the Golden Age and Decline at Rome (Routledge Monographs in Classical Studies)

Utopia Antiqua is a fresh look at narratives of the Golden Age and decline in ancient Roman literature of the late Republic and imperial period. Through the lens of utopian theory, Rhiannon Evans looks at the ways that Roman authors, such as Virgil, Ovid and Tacitus, use and reinvent Greek myths of the ages, considering them in their historical and artistic context. This book explores the meanings of the ‘Iron Age’ and dystopia for Roman authors, as well as the reasons they give for this decline, and the possibilities for a renewed Age of Gold. Using case studies, it considers the cultural effects of importing luxury goods and the way that it gives rise to a rhetoric of Roman decline. It also looks at the idealisation of farmers, soldiers and even primitive barbarians as parallels to the Golden Race and role models for now-extravagant Romans. Utopia Antiqua Is A Fresh Look At Conceptions Of Utopia And Dystopia In Ancient Rome Through Narratives Of The Golden Age And Decline Of Literature Of The Late Republic And Imperial Period (100 Bce-150 Ce). Through The Lens Of Utopian Theory, Rhiannon Evans Looks At The Ways That Roman Authors, Such As Virgil, Ovid And Tacitus, Use And Reinvent Greek Myths Of The Ages, Considering Them In Their Historical And Artistic Context. Using Case Studies, It Considers The Cultural Effects Of Importing Luxury Goods And The Way That It Gives Rise To A Rhetoric Of Roman Decline. She Also Looks At The Idealization Of Farmers, Soldiers And Even Primitive Barbarians As Parallels To The Golden Race And Role Models For Romans That Had Become Ashamed Of Their Own Extravagance And Corruption.--jacket. Introduction : Finding Utopia -- Utopia : Landscape And Symbol -- Myths Of The Ages And Decline -- Lucullan Marble And The Morality Of Building -- Rust : Enemy Of The State. Rhiannon Evans. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 213-230) And Index. BOOK COVER......Page 1 TITLE......Page 4 COPYRIGHT......Page 5 CONTENTS......Page 6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 7 INTRODUCTION: FINDING UTOPIA......Page 8 1 UTOPIA: LANDSCAPE AND SYMBOL......Page 15 2 MYTHS OF THE AGES AND DECLINE......Page 38 3 LUCULLAN MARBLE AND THE MORALITY OF BUILDING......Page 100 4 RUST: ENEMY OF THE STATE......Page 137 NOTES......Page 196 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 220 INDEX......Page 238 Evans explores the tropes of the utopian and dystopian in ancient Roman texts. She addresses the ways in which concepts of the idealized and degenerate functioned as metaphor and symbol in Roman discourses. Utopia and its inverse are vital markers of cultural yearning and desire.