Lucan: De Bello Ciuili Book VII

by Paul Roche (Editor)

Book VII of Lucan's De Bello Ciuili recounts the decisive victory of Julius Caesar over Pompey at the Battle of Pharsalus on 9 August 48 BCE. Uniquely within Lucan's epic, the entire book is devoted to one event, as the narrator struggles to convey the full horror and significance of Romans fighting against Romans and of the republican defeat. Book VII shows both De Bello Ciuili and its impassioned, partisan narrator at their idiosyncratic best. Lucan's account of Pharsalus well illustrates his poem's macabre aesthetic, his commitment to paradox and hyperbole, and his highly rhetorical presentation of events. This is the first English commentary on this important book for more than half a century. It provides extensive help with Lucan's Latin, and seeks to orientate students and scholars to the most important issues, themes and aspects of this brilliant poem.

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2019

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOTE: Only read the intro and commentary after the text (that was mildly cherry picked) as I cannot translate Latin myself. I used O.A.W Dilke’s 1971 translation and also used that one’s commentary, notes and intro.

Excellent detail and the commentary was extremely detailed. After reading this I have a more Intricate understanding of sources, intertextual elements, broader political context that surround Lucan and his poetry.

I will have to return to my studies of the Neronian / Julio-Claudians, a realm that I have neglected since the first few years of my undergraduate degree.