Roman Love Elegy and the Eros of Empire

This book explores Roman love elegy from postcolonial perspectives, arguing that the genre reinforces the imperial identity of its elite, metropolitan audience by presenting the phenomena and discourses of Roman imperialism as intersecting with ancient norms of gender and sexuality.

Format: Hardback
Length: 330 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This book delves into the realm of Roman love elegy, offering a fresh perspective from postcolonial lenses. It argues that the tropes, conventions, and discourses prevalent in the Augustan genre serve to reinforce the imperial identity of its elite, metropolitan audience. Love elegy presents the phenomena and discourses of Roman imperialism, encompassing visual spectacle (such as military triumphs), literary genre (epic in relation to elegy), material culture (art and luxury goods), and geographic space, as intersecting with ancient norms of gender and sexuality in a manner that solidifies Rome's dominance in the Mediterranean.

The introductory chapter establishes the postcolonial framework, drawing upon the insights of Edward Said and other theorists. It situates love elegy within the context of Roman Hellenism and the diverse Roman responses to Greece and its cultural influences. Four of the six subsequent chapters delve into the rhetorical ambivalence that characterizes love elegy's treatment of Greek influence. These chapters explore the representation of the domina or mistress as a figure that simultaneously represents "captive Greece" and serves as a trope for Roman imperialism. They also examine the motif of the elegiac triumph, with various figures assuming the role of the triumphator, suggesting a nuanced interplay of Greco-Roman cultural rivalry.

The second and final chapters focus on the figures of Osiris and Isis, respectively, as emblematic of Rome's colonialist and ambivalent representation of Egypt. These chapters offer a deconstructive reading of elegys rhetoric of orientalism, challenging the traditional narratives of imperialism and cultural dominance.

In conclusion, this book provides a compelling exploration of Roman love elegy, shedding light on the complex interplay between imperialism, gender, sexuality, and cultural influences. It challenges the traditional narratives of Roman dominance and offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of Roman-Greek relations. Through its meticulous analysis and thoughtful interpretation, this book contributes to our understanding of the rich tapestry of ancient literature and culture.

Weight: 580g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031147999
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023