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Recognizing Persius (Martin Classical Lectures)

by Kenneth J. Reckford

Recognizing Persius (Martin Classical Lectures) Cover

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Recognizing Persius is a passionate and in-depth exploration of the libellus--or little book--of six Latin satires left by the Roman satirical writer Persius when he died in AD 62 at the age of twenty-seven. In this comprehensive and reflectively personal book, Kenneth Reckford fleshes out the primary importance of this mysterious and idiosyncratic writer. Reckford emphasizes the dramatic power and excitement of Persius's satires--works that normally would have been recited before a reclining, feasting audience. In highlighting the satires' remarkable honesty, Reckford shows how Persius converted Roman satire into a vehicle of self-exploration and self-challenge that remains relevant to readers today.

The book explores the foundations of Roman satire as a performance genre: from the dinner-party recitals of Lucilius, the founder of the genre, through Horace, to Persius's more intense and inward dramatic monologues. Reckford argues that despite satire's significant public function, Persius wrote his pieces first and mainly for himself. Reckford also provides the context for Persius's life and work: his social responsibilities as a landowner; the interplay between his life, his Stoic philosophy, and his art; and finally, his incomplete struggle to become an honest and decent human being. Bringing the modern reader to a closer and more nuanced acquaintance with Persius's work, Recognizing Persius reinstates him to the ranks of the first-rate satirists, alongside Horace and Juvenal.

Synopsis:

"With effortless execution, Reckford draws the reader gently and persuasively into the remote world of this brilliant, young Roman satirist. This is a warm, deeply thoughtful, and perceptive book."--Dan Hooley, University of Missouri

"English language books focusing on Persius are few and far between. Reckford is well-versed in ancient satire and his close analyses of particular words, lines, and passages are often compelling."--Cedric Littlewood, University of Victoria

About the Author

Kenneth J. Reckford is the Kenan Professor Emeritus of Greek and Latin in the Department of Classics at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. His books include "Aristophanes' Old-And-New Comedy".

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ix

PROLOGUE: In Search of Persius 1

CHAPTER ONE: Performing Privately 16

"Who'll read this stuff?" (Satire 1) 17

"In Different Voices" 21

Performing satire (1): Lucilius 25

Performing satire (2): Horace 32

Three Bad Performances 39

Persius's Return to the Colors 46

Appendix: The Choliambics 52

CHAPTER TWO: Seeking Integrity 56

Hypocrisy and Self-Deception (Satire 2) 57

Called to Virtue (Satire 3) 63

Where Horace Left Off 68

Division Problems 77

Autobiographical Fragments 82

Images of Dissolution 87

Recomposing a Life 91

Appendix: Epictetus, Diatribe, and Persius 96

CHAPTER THREE: Exploring Freedom 102

Shadows of Falsehood (Satire 4) 103

Modes of Disclosure (Satire 5) 108

"Every Fool a Slave" 118

Another Dissident Under Nero 124

CHAPTER FOUR: Life, Death, and Art 130

Between Volterra and Rome 131

The Land, the Sea, and the Heir (Satire 6) 136

Reading the libellus: Children and Grown-ups 144

Recognizing Persius 151

EPILOGUE: From Persius to Juvenal 161

NOTES 181

BIBLIOGRAPHY 219

GENERAL INDEX 233

INDEX LOCORUM 237

Product Details

ISBN:
9780691141411
Author:
Reckford, Kenneth J.
Publisher:
Princeton University Press
Location:
Princeton
Subject:
Persius--Criticism and interpretation
Subject:
Satire, Latin -- History and criticism.
Subject:
Ancient, Classical & Medieval
Subject:
Ancient and Classical
Subject:
Ancient & Classical
Subject:
Classics
Subject:
Literature: Primary Works and Letters
Subject:
Classics-Medieval and Renaissance General
Copyright:
Series:
Martin Classical Lectures
Publication Date:
July 2009
Binding:
Hardback
Grade Level:
College/higher education:
Language:
English
Pages:
256
Dimensions:
9 x 6 in 18 oz

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Product details 256 pages Princeton University Press - English 9780691141411 Reviews:
"Synopsis" by , "With effortless execution, Reckford draws the reader gently and persuasively into the remote world of this brilliant, young Roman satirist. This is a warm, deeply thoughtful, and perceptive book."--Dan Hooley, University of Missouri

"English language books focusing on Persius are few and far between. Reckford is well-versed in ancient satire and his close analyses of particular words, lines, and passages are often compelling."--Cedric Littlewood, University of Victoria

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