Afterlives of the Roman Poets: Biofiction and the Reception of Latin Poetry

Roman poets encoded versions of their lives into their texts, creating a body of literature that cries out to be read in terms of lives in reception. Afterlives of the Roman Poets explores how the fictional biographies of its authors have shaped the reception of Latin poetry, from medieval biographies of Ovid to republican readings of Lucan's death in periods of revolution.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 245 pages
Publication date: 08 February 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Roman poets, aware of the ancient modes of reading poetry for life, encoded versions of their own lives into their texts. This rich tapestry of literature beckons us to read it not just as words on a page, but as a window into the lives of those who created it. The Afterlives of the Roman Poets delves into the fascinating realm of fictional biographies, or "biofictions," of these authors, exploring how these narratives have shaped the reception of Latin poetry throughout history.

From the medieval biographies of Ovid inscribed in the margins of his works to republican readings of Lucan's death during periods of revolution, and even the author's death in Hermann Broch's Der Tod des Vergil, the book weaves a cultural history of the reception of ancient literature as imagined through the lens of poets' lives. By engaging in a dialogue between modern life-writing studies and ancient poetry, it not only adds depth to debates in classics but also places antiquity and its reception on the map of modern studies in life-writing.

Through its meticulous exploration, The Afterlives of the Roman Poets offers a fresh perspective on the enduring power of ancient literature and its ability to resonate with readers across time and cultures. It is a testament to the enduring influence of the Roman poets and their legacy in shaping the way we interpret and appreciate poetry today.

Weight: 362g
Dimension: 151 x 227 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781316632086