Silius Italicus Punic Wars and the virgilian epic: translation and study of the first book of the Punica

• Grant number: 15/06514-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2015
• End date: April 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Linguistics, Literature and Arts - Literature - Classical Literatures
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Vieira Fernandes
• Grantee: Grace Joplin Ferreira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The project aims to the full and direct translation (from Latin to Portuguese) of the first book (694 verses) of Silius Italicus' (c. 26-102 AD) epic poem "Punica" ("The Punic Wars"), from the Latin text edited by L. Bauer (Leipzig: Teubner, 1890), used by J.D. Duff in his translation to the Loeb Classical Library series (Harvard University Press, 1961). Besides the translation, an introductory study of certain elements in common with the Virgilian epic tradition (with the "Aeneid") will be done, as the first book of the "Punica" shows several aspects in line with Virgil's poem, mainly in the appropriation of ethical values and in the construction of a notion of heroism. More precisely, as in the "Aeneid", "ira" and "furor" were rejected in the ethical construction of a Roman hero (as we can see in the fact that the enemies of the Dardanians, Turnus, and Mezentius, possess such characteristics that are in contrast with the idea of heroism in the work), so, in the "Punic Wars", the same passions are denied in the construction of an exemplary heroic character, as we can see in the case of Hannibal, a typical enemy of the Roman people, who presents these characteristics as opposed to the Romans right from the beginning of the poem. Thus, considering, for example, Gossage's (1994) and Boyle's (1991) comments who see the literary opus of the "Punic Wars" more as a unique creation by the poet than as a simple "emulation" of Virgil the introductory study which will accompany the translation of the first book will focus on the particular way this poet of the Flavian period inherited and modified the Virgilian epic tradition.(AU)