Silius Italicus Aeneid: the aemulatio and the heroes of Punica

Author(s)

Cynthia Helena Dibbern

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH/SBD)
• Defense date: 2017-08-15

Examining board members

Paulo Martins; Norberto Luiz Guarinello; Leni Ribeiro Leite; João Batista Toledo Prado; Breno Battistin Sebastiani

• Advisor: Paulo Martins

Abstract

The present thesis investigates the aemulatio engaged in the construction of the heroic characters of Silius Italicus Punica. The trajectories of Hannibal and Scipio African, the protagonists, are often constructed with allusions to the virgilian Aeneas, in an allusive plot close to that used by Virgil when he did homeric Achilles a model for two antagonistic characters, and did his hero develop throughout his journey: Scipio African is who gathers qualities of the previous Roman generals, synthesizing republican virtues and the military force of the Empire.The paradigms of Hercules and Achilles are also very relevant in the allusive game proposed by Silius, both latent figures of Virgils Aeneas model. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/07432-3 - Silius Italicus' Aeneid: emulation and heroes in Punica
• Grantee: Cynthia Helena Dibbern
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate