Cicero and the Early Latin Poets

Cicero's writings contain hundreds of quotations of Latin poetry, demonstrating the importance of poetry as an ethical, historical, and linguistic resource in the late Roman Republic. Hannah Čulík-Baird studies Cicero's use of poetry in his letters, speeches, and philosophical works, contextualizing his practice within the broader intellectual trends of contemporary Rome. Cicero's quotations of the classic Latin poets preserve the most significant fragments of verse from the second century BCE, and the book also examines the process of fragmentation in classical antiquity. The Appendices collect perceptible instances of poetic citation in the Ciceronian corpus.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 21 December 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Cicero's literary works are a treasure trove of Latin poetry quotations, numbering in the hundreds. This captivating book delves into Cicero's extensive citations of Latin poets who wrote in various poetic genres, highlighting the profound significance of poetry as an ethical, historical, and linguistic resource during the late Roman Republic. Hannah Čulík-Baird, in her meticulous exploration, examines Cicero's utilization of poetry in his letters, speeches, and philosophical writings, placing his practice within the broader intellectual currents of contemporary Rome. Cicero's quotations of renowned Latin poets like Ennius, Pacuvius, Accius, and Lucilius have played a pivotal role in preserving the most significant fragments of verse from the second century BCE. Furthermore, this book delves into the intricate process of fragmentation in classical antiquity, with a particular focus on the interplay between quotation and fragmentation. The Appendices serve as a valuable compilation of perceptible instances of poetic citation, encompassing both Greek and Latin sources, found within the Ciceronian corpus.

Weight: 476g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009013703