Narratives in Silius Italicus' Punica - (The Language of Classical Literature) by Pieter Van Den Broek (Hardcover)

About the Book

This book is the first investigation exclusively devoted to the role of embedded narratives in Silius Italicus' Punica. Detailed case studies reveal that these narratives are subtly intertwined with the main narrative.

Book Synopsis

This study investigates the role of embedded narratives in Silius Italicus' Punica, an epic from the late first century AD on the Second Punic War (218-202 BC). At first sight, these narratives seem to be loosely 'embedded' in the epic, having their own plot and being situated in a different time or place than the main narrative. A closer look reveals, however, that they foreshadow or recall elements that are found elsewhere in the epic. In this way, they serve as 'mirrors' of the main narrative. The larger part of this book consists of four detailed case studies.

Review Quotes

"V.d.B.'s monograph offers an excellent contribution to the literary exegesis of Silius Italicus' Punica and a highly appropriate addition to the series The Language of Classical Literature. [...] This book is a splendid addition to Silian studies. It is suitable for a wide range of readers from the undergraduate level onwards. The clarity of its layout, helpful subheadings, detailed contents, bibliography, general index and index locorum, is enhanced by v.d.B.'s agreeably succinct and modestly magisterial style, very occasionally marred by linguistic inaccuracy and contorted spelling." - R Joy Littlewood, in: The Classical Review, 75.1 (2025) 152-154.

About the Author

Pieter van den Broek, Ph.D. (2021), University of Amsterdam, is a researcher of Latin poetry from the imperial period. He has published articles on Ovid, Silius Italicus, Statius, and Valerius Flaccus. He teaches classics at the Stedelijk Gymnasium Schiedam.