Statius thebaid book 1

Shall i sing the origins of that fateful people, of the sidonian rape, and the sway of agenors inexorable. I see it more as a collection of set pieces strung together by a shopworn mythological plot, like tapestries hanging on. Publius papinius statius publii papinii statii sylvarum. The digital loeb classical library extends the founding mission of james loeb with an interconnected, fully searchable, perpetually growing virtual library of all that is important in greek and latin literature. And so after completing the first book of the epic, i thought id take a look back and share my general impressions. Books 1 7 loeb classical library volume 2 english and latin edition latin hardcover february 17, 2004 by statius author, d. It also demonstrates how the thebaids fascination with horror, spectacle, and unspeakable violence is tied to statius critique of the moral and political virtues at the heart of the. The story has its roots in aeschylus and sophocles, but is filled to overflowing with statius baroque latin style. Buy a cheap copy of thebaid, books 812 achilleid by publius papinius statius. Composed at the end of the first century ce, statius thebaid recounts the civil war in thebes between the two sons of oedipus, polynices and eteocles, and the horrific events that take place on the battlefield. Books 17 loeb classical library volume 2 english and latin edition now 0674012089. Thebaid i fraternas acies alternaque regna profanis decertata odiis sontesque euoluere thebas pierius menti calor incidit.

Technically statius is quite gifted, but the thebaid so far isnt very engaging. Polynices sheepishly reveals his identity as oedipus son. Thebaid centers on the conflict between the two brothers, eteocles and polynices, sons of oedipus and heirs to the throne thebes. Shackleton baileys new loeb classical library edition of statius. The silvae are important not only from a literary point of view, but also offer valuable. Bernstein examines how the depictions of kinship in these four works differs from earlier. Books 17 loeb classical library volume 2 english and latin edition latin hardcover february 17, 2004 by statius author, d. Statius, thebaid book 1 theoi classical texts library. This epic recounting the struggle between the two sons of oedipus for the kingship of thebes. Its not easy to find even a synopsis of statius thebaid. Thebaid, books 812 achilleid by publius papinius statius. His masterpiece, the epic thebaid, recounts the struggle for kingship between the two sons of oedipus.

The thebaid, a latin epic in twelve books by statius c. Juxtaposes the newly edited full latin text with an accessible translation and extensive contextualizing introduction. The text and translation of books 1 7 of the thebaid occupy the rest of the second volume pp. Apollos monstrous delight in the thebaid in book 1 of the thebaid, adrastus finds polynices and tydeus fighting on his doorstep and welcomes them in. He was the author of a collection of dedicatory poems known as the silvae, the epic thebaid in twelve books, and the unfinished achilleid. I laid out my rationale for this series in a previous post summary. Indeed, linus reappears on the tomb of archemorus, recalling for us the callimachean aition in thebaid 1 and statius initial allusion to poetic conflict 9395, cf.

Represents the first fulllength english language commentary on book 2 of statius thebaid juxtaposes the newly edited full latin text with an accessible translation and extensive contextualizing introduction. Statius, thebaid 4 statius publius papinius statius. Statiuss thebaid and achilleid are two of only four extant epics from the flavian period, 6996 c. As a poet, statius was versatile in his abilities and his work includes an epic poem, the thebaid, a collection of occasional poetry, the silvae, and the unfinished epic, the achilleid. Based on statius own testimony, the thebaid was written c. Though ive enjoyed a lot of latin poetry over the years, i had never studied more than a line or two of this work. Books 17 loeb classical library volume 2 english and latin edition detail books. This epic, recounting the struggle between the two sons of oedipus for. The poem is divided into twelve books in imitation of virgil s aeneid and is composed in dactylic hexameter. It has many features borrowed from virgil, but suffers from overstatement. The third and last volume features books 812 of the thebaid pp.

Statius, thebaid i impressions over the past two months ive been posting a commentary as i read the first book of statius thebaid. Newlands 2012 2, recently dates books of the silvae as a set in 93 ce, following the completion of the thebaid. Other editions containing works of statius publius papinius statius statius. His surviving latin poetry includes an epic in twelve books, the thebaid. Adrastus admits to recognizing him, sympathizes with his familys misfortune and closes the book with a prayer to phoebus. Its author, the roman poet statius, employed a wide variety of grecoroman sources in order to narrate the argive expedition against thebes and the fratricidal war. Silvae, thebaid, achilleid, loeb classical library london. Statius 4596 ad was one of the most distinguished epic and lyric poets of his time. Discussion questions encourage careful reading of and thoughtful reflection on the text, while connections to the aeneid questions prompt students who are familiar with. Statius completed one epic, the 12book thebaid, but only two books of another, the achilleid.

The poem deals with the theban cycle and treats the assault of the seven champions of argos against the city of thebes. In this war, eteocles calls upon tiresias for wisdom and guidance. Thebaid is an epic poem recounting the conflict between polynices and eteocles, the two sons of oedipus, for the throne of thebes. This beautiful first edition contains 912 pages with the most important works of his time and later beloved roman poet. See all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. The extant portion of his unfinished achilleid statius published his thebaid in the last decade of the first century. D r shackleton bailey this is the first part of a twovolume edition of statiuss epics thebaid and achilleid, with a freshly edited latin text facing an english translation. This epic recounting the struggle between the two sons of oedipus for the kingship of thebes is his masterpiece, a stirring expl. The thebaid is a latin epic in 12 books written in dactylic hexameter by publius papinius statius ad c. Statius thebaid and the poetics of civil war bryn mawr. The thebaid, a more ambitious work, describes the struggle of the brothers polyneices and eteocles for the throne of the ancient greek city of thebes.

Statius, thebaid book 2 theoi classical texts library. The women of lemnos presents the story of hypsipyle and the women of lemnos in a studentfriendly reader designed to facilitate the reading, comprehension, and enjoyment of this highinterest tale. This epic recounting the struggle between the two sons of oedipus for the kingship of thebes is his masterpiece, a stirring exploration of the passions of civil war. The work begins and ends, however, with passages that.

Or to describe to his pupil upon his lyre the heroes of old time. The thebaid of statius translated into english verse with. Perseus provides credit for all accepted changes, storing new additions in a versioning system. This twovolume edition of the epics, a freshly edited latin text facing a graceful translation, completes d. Shall i sing the origins of that fateful people, of the sidonian rape, and the. It has many features borrowed from virgil, but suffers from overstatement and exaggeration.

This work is licensed under a creative commons attributionsharealike 3. For students who need help translating lines 16 of thebaid book i. Greek literary education and roman political reality are evident in the poetry of statius c. Statius has in mind the virgilian nox atra caput circumvolat aen. Represents the first fulllength english language commentary on book 2 of statius thebaid.

Mcnelis also usefully compares thebaid 46 to aeneid 46, showing how both sequences constitute a sort of delay or retardation of the narrative 9596. This 2007 book argues that the thebaid reworks themes, scenes, and ideas from virgil in order to show that the aeneids representation of monarchy is inadequate. Translated into english verse, with notes and observations, and a dissertation upon the whole by way of preface isbn 10. Statius, achilleid book 1 theoi classical texts library.

In thebaid book iv, statius launches into an ekphrasis describing a forest that has had no leaf in its lifetime cut off or sunbeam let in and mavortian plains, fields cadmus reaped. This text provides the unadapted latin text of the thebaid book 5. Recalling evander in the aeneid, he proceeds to explain to his guests the feast and rites for apollo that they witness. Special features introduction to statiuss life and to the historical, social, and literary background of the thebaid. The text and translation of books 17 of the thebaid occupy the rest of the second volume pp. Chaucers summary of statius thebaid iixii toward the end of his troilus and criseyde 5. A new complete downloadable english translation of his epic of the seven against thebes.

The extant portion of his unfinished achilleid book thebaid, but only two books of another, the achilleid. Statius published his thebaid in the last decade of the first century. Statius, thebaid 2 edited with an introduction, translation, and commentary edited by kyle gervais. The epic, in 12 books same as the aeneid, tells the story of the seven against thebes link will bring up something of a summary. The muses fire inspires my mind to tell of fraternal war, of alternate kingship, of guilty thebes disputed over in impious hatred. Coleman has contributed an essay in thebaid, volume 1, loeb no. Aug 12, 2018 for students who need help translating lines 16 of thebaid book i. Statiuss thebaid, is an epic poem that tells the story of an unsuccessful campaign against the city of thebes known as the seven against thebes. The extant portion of his achilleid begins an account of achilless life. An xml version of this text is available for download, with the additional restriction that you offer perseus any modifications you make.