Silius Italicus - Delphi ancient classics: complete works of silius italicus

The Complete Works of

SILIUS ITALICUS

(c. AD 28c. 103)

Contents

Delphi Classics 2015

Version 1

The Complete Works of

SILIUS ITALICUS

By Delphi Classics, 2015

Complete Works of Silius Italicus

First published in the United Kingdom in 2015 by Delphi Classics.

Delphi Classics, 2015.

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Ancient remains at Italica, Roman province of Hispania, Spain the reputed birthplace of Silius Italicus

Translated by J. D. Duff

Composed of seventeen books in dactylic hexameter, comprising some twelve thousand lines, the Punica is the longest surviving Latin poem from antiquity. Its theme is the Second Punic War and the conflict between the two great generals Hannibal and Scipio Africanus. The dates of the epic poems composition are not entirely clear. An epigram by Martial, dated to AD 88, describes Silius work on the Punica , mentioning Scipio and Hannibal as the subjects of the poem. Another epigram, 7.63, dated to AD 92, also describes Silius work on the epic. Two passages of internal evidence also help date the epic. In Book III, during Jupiters prophecy about the future of Rome, which describes significant events from the Flavian dynasty and the life of Domitian, such as the death of Vespasian, Titus destruction of Jerusalem, Domitians adoption of the title Germanicus (AD 83) and the burning of the Capitoline temple in AD 69. Therefore, composition dates for the poem are agreed to range from AD 83 to 96, although since those dates do not include the first two or final three books, they remain approximate.

The poem is a work of Silius old age and his time spent at his Campanian villas, while collecting antiques and giving recitations, presumably of the Punica . According to Martials epigrams, the epic poem met with some success and was even compared with Virgils Aeneid . As a poet of historical epic, Silius had to make use of both historical sources and poetic models. Livy is considered his single most important historical source, though the poem differs from Livys writings by its grandiose tendencies, which are only briefly treated in Livy and Silius occasional practice of changing the focus of his narrative. Nevertheless, Silius was not a superficial transmitter of historical sources, but was indeed an accomplished poet, writing more in the vein of Virgil than Livy.

From the time of Naevius onwards every great military struggle in which the Romans had been engaged had found its poet. Naevius influence cannot be gauged because of the almost total loss of his poem on the First Punic War. Silius specifically names Virgil, Homer and Ennius as his main source of inspiration. Virgil is mentioned at 8.593-594, where Silius says of Virgils home town Mantua that it was home of the Muses, raised to the sky by immortal verse, and a match for the lyre of Homer. Indeed, Virgil is considered Silius most omnipresent influence. His contemporaries Pliny the Younger and Martial discuss his almost zealous devotion to the spirit of Virgil, whom Silius is known to have worshipped as a god and whose tomb he actually bought and repaired. Silius frequently employs Virgilian images, similes, tropes and elements in his poetry and the Punica abounds with constant allusions to the Aeneid . Lucan is another significant model for Silius, although the Punica differs dramatically from Lucans historical epic by his use of the divine machinery. Silius is closest to Lucan in his treatment of historical description, especially geography and battlefields, his focus on stoicism, the macabre and violence.

The first book introduces the poets theme of the Second Punic War, setting up the conflict between the Roman and Carthaginian nations for supremacy. The betrayal of Dido, familiar from the Aeneid and Junos anger stir the goddess to prophesy the course of the war and choose Hannibal as her instrument of revenge. The childhood oath of Hannibal to his father Hamilcar at the Dido temple in Carthage is narrated, and his character is described as vindictive, cunning and daring. The priestess of the temple prophesies the war. Hasdrubal is slaughtered by Spanish Gauls in revenge for his crucifixion of their king and Hannibal succeeds him by the armys acclaim and attacks Saguntum the situation and Rutulian/Zacynthian history of which are described. The siege begins and Hannibal fights a duel with the Saguntine champion Murrus, who is slain. The Saguntine senate meets and requests that Rome send envoys to stop the siege.

Silius epic poem was rediscovered in a manuscript, possibly at Constance, by Poggio, in c. 1416 and from this sole, now lost manuscript all existing manuscripts are derived. A valuable manuscript of the 8 th or 9 th century, found at Cologne by L. Carrion in the latter part of the 16th century, disappeared soon after its discovery. Two editiones principes appeared at Rome in 1471; the principal editions since have been those of Heinsius (1600), Drakenborch (1717), Ernesti (Leipzig, 1791) and L. Bauer (1890).

A marble bust, reputedly of Hannibal (247-181 BC), originally found at the ancient city-state of Capua in Italy

Bust of Scipio Africanus the Elder (236183 BC) from the Pushkin Museum, Moscow

Map of Hannibals route of invasion

A 3 rd century AD depiction of Virgil on a mosaic from Hadrumetum. Virgil was Silius greatest inspiration.

Silius Italicus at the Tomb of Virgil by Joseph Wright of Derby