Valerius Flaccus: Argonautica, Book 8: Edited with Introduction, Translation, and Commentary

A new edition of Valerius Flaccus' Argonautica, with a Latin text, English translation, and literary, linguistic, and textual discussions, is edited by Cristiano Castelletti, making the poem more accessible to an international audience and addressing questions of its original length, intertextuality, and poetic practices in late first-century CE Rome.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 22 September 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

This is the first dedicated commentary on the eighth and final book of Valerius Flaccus' Flavian epic Argonautica. It includes the Latin text, a new English translation, and detailed discussion of a range of literary, linguistic, and textual issues. It is the final work of the promising scholar Cristiano Castelletti, edited by friends and colleagues. The edition benefits from his wide-ranging knowledge of ancient poetry and provides perceptive insights into the texture of this important book. It will make the final section of the poem more easily accessible to an international readership and addresses questions of the original length of the poem, of intertextuality, and of poetic practices in late first-century CE Rome.

The Argonautica is an epic poem by the Roman poet Valerius Flaccus, composed in the first century CE. It tells the story of Jason and the Argonauts, who set out to find the Golden Fleece in order to save their city of Iolcus from destruction.

The poem is divided into eight books, each of which tells a different part of the story. The first book introduces the characters and sets the scene for the adventure, while the second book describes the voyage of the Argonauts to the island of Colchis, where they encounter the dragon that guards the Golden Fleece.

The third book tells the story of the Argonauts' encounter with the Amazons, who are fierce female warriors who challenge them to various tests of strength and skill. The fourth book describes the Argonauts' journey to the land of the Hyperboreans, who live in the far north and are ruled by King Cyzicus.

The fifth book tells the story of the Argonauts' encounter with the Sirens, who are beautiful women who lure men to their deaths with their enchanting music. The sixth book describes the Argonauts' journey to the land of the Hesperides, who are the guardians of the Golden Fleece.

The seventh book tells the story of the Argonauts' final battle with the Titans, who are the ancient gods of the sea. The eighth and final book describes the Argonauts' return to Iolcus and their victory over the enemies that had threatened their city.

The Argonautica is a rich and complex poem that explores a wide range of themes, including heroism, bravery, love, and the nature of fate. It is also a valuable source of information about ancient Greek and Roman mythology and culture.

The poem has been translated into many languages, including English, and has been adapted into various forms of media, including film, television, and literature. It remains a popular and influential work of literature that continues to captivate readers and scholars alike.

Weight: 584g
Dimension: 165 x 241 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192865892