Home Classical, Ancient Near Eastern & Egyptian Studies Ein Lobpreis aus Korsica? Überlegungen zu Epigrammen auf den Britanniensieg des Claudius (Anth. Lat. 419–426 Riese)
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Ein Lobpreis aus Korsica? Überlegungen zu Epigrammen auf den Britanniensieg des Claudius (Anth. Lat. 419–426 Riese)

  • Alfred Breitenbach
Published/Copyright: April 16, 2010

Abstract

The epigrams Anth. Lat. 419–426 Riese, transmitted under the title Laus Caesaris, are carefully structured. They should be attributed to one author only. On the surface, they celebrate the victory of Claudius in Britain, creating the impression to have been written on that occasion and at about that time. However, several factors suggest that the Laus Caesaris should be interpreted within the context of the critical remarks made by Seneca concerning Claudius, his victory in Britain and about territorial expansion in general. First, the Laus has been transmitted as part of the so-called Senecan Epigrams, which are also carefully structured, a work probably accomplished by a single author in the first half of the second century A. D., who uses the persona of Seneca, exiled to Corsica. Second, the topic of the conquest of Britain was reflected in literary discussion also after the death of Claudius (Seneca, Apocolocyntosis; Tacitus, Agricola; Ps-Seneca, Octavia). Several ambiguous formulations should be considered as a “second voice”, expressing criticism at the undertaking of Claudius. Such criticism reflects the tradition, common in Roman literature, of criticizing Alexander the Great. Within the framework of the Senecan Epigrams, this critical position appears in the context of criticism directed at other politicians (Xerxes; Alexander; Pompey; Anthony), whose hybris in every case prompted their fall.

Published Online: 2010-04-16
Published in Print: 2009-12

© by Akademie Verlag, Berlin, Germany

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