Punica, Volume I

Author

Silius Italicus

Original Work

Punica

Translator

J. D. Duff

Language

English

Year

1934

Publisher

Harvard University Press

Country

United States

Pages

464

ISBN

0674993055

0000

Silius Italicus (25-101 CE) composed an epic Punica in 17 books on the Second Punic War (218-202 BCE). Silius' poem relies largely on Livy's prose for facts. It also echoes poets, especially Virgil, and employs techniques traditional in Latin epic. Silius (T. Catius Silius Italicus), 25 CE-101, was consul in 68 and governor of the province of Asia in 69; he sought no further office but lived thereafter on his estates as a literary man and collector. He revered the work of Cicero, whose Tusculan villa he owned, and that of Virgil, whose tomb at Naples he likewise owned and near which he lived. His epic Punica, in 17 books, on the second War with Carthage (218-202 BCE), is based for facts largely on Livy's account. Conceived as a contrast between two great nations (and their supporting gods), championed by the two great heroes Scipio and Hannibal, his poem is written in pure Latin and smooth verse filled throughout with echoes of Virgil above all (and other poets); it exploits with easy grace, but little genius, all the devices and techniques of traditional Latin epic. The Loeb Classical Library edition of Silius Italicus is in two volumes.— Google Books