Claudian the Poet

Analyzes the poetics and story telling techniques of the fourth-century poet Claudian as tools of Late Antique political propaganda.

List of contents

Introduction; 1. In Rufinum: heroes, monsters, and the universe in the balance; 2. The universe ready to be destabilized (IV Cons., Stil., Rapt., Epith.); 3. Monsters ready to destabilize the universe (c.m.53, Gig.Gr., Rapt., Eut., VI Cons., Get.); 4. The hero keeping the universe stable and restoring the Golden Age (Stil., c.m.27, Get.); 5. Not quite the hero (IV Cons., Fesc., Epith.); 6. The deceitful poet (Rapt., Epith., Get., VI Cons., Eut.); Conclusion.

About the author

Clare Coombe is Head of Classics at The Oratory School, Reading and retains a research interest in Late Antique and Early Christian Latin poetry.

Summary

Reappraises this fourth-century Latin poet's use of story telling and poetics for political propaganda. Argues that Claudian creates a Stilicho who is an epic hero, gigantic barbarians, and a universe under threat of chaos, and thereby retells the story of his patron and convinces his audience of his political agenda.

Product details

• Authors: Clare Coombe
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.03.2018
• EAN: 9781107058347
• ISBN: 978-1-107-05834-7
• No. of pages: 254
• Subjects: Fiction > Narrative literature; POETRY / General, Poetry, LITERARY CRITICISM / Ancient & Classical, LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Ancient & Classical, Literary studies: classical, early & medieval, Poetry by individual poets, Literary studies: ancient, classical and medieval, Poetry / poems by individual poets