Latin Poets and Roman Life

by Jasper Griffin

In Latin Poets and Roman Life Jasper Griffin studies the inter-relation of literature and life in the Augustan poets. The works of Virgil, Horace, Propertius and Ovid are characterized by a brilliant polish and a dazzling repertoire of devices for stylizing events and emotion; yet they remain convincing as a direct response to experience. Theories which deny that directness are criticized in this book as mistaken. The life of pleasure, in its kaleidoscopic variety - eating, drinking, bathing, love - is a central subject, but so is death. The book also discusses the uses of mythology, the influence of poetry on experience, and the interpretation of central passages in the poems of Virgil. All Latin quoted is translated into English.

Genres: Classics

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Jasper Griffin (born May 29, 1937), MA (Oxon), FBA, was Public Orator and Professor of Classical Literature in the University of Oxford from 1992 until 2004.

Jasper Griffin read Classical Moderations and Greats at Balliol College, Oxford (1956-1960) and was Jackson Fellow at Harvard University (1960-61). On his return to Oxford he became Dyson Junior Research Fellow at Balliol (1961-63), Tutorial Fellow in Classics (1963-2004), and Senior Fellow (2000-04).

His wife of nearly fifty years, Dr Miriam T. Griffin (née Dressler), is also a noteworthy classicist. They have three daughters: Julia, Miranda and Tamara.

Reviews

[Kevin]

Dedicated to 'Augustan poetry' and with interesting chapter titles, like 'of wines and spirits' and 'love and death' and 'the influence of drama.'