The Thebaid: Latin and English Parallel Translation (Hopkins Classical Collection)

By Statius

HOPKINS CLASSICAL COLLECTION The Thebaid is a Latin epic poem written by the Roman poet Statius in the early 90s AD. It consists of 12 books and narrates the conflict between two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, vying for the throne of Thebes. Polynices, exiled and seeking revenge, forms an alliance with seven Greek princes to wage war against his brother. Drawing primarily from Greek literary tradition, the poem shows connections to other Latin texts like Vergil's Aeneid and Seneca the Younger's tragedies. Key themes include the interplay of politics and family, civil war, and the consequential immoral acts. The poem's innovative portrayal of Roman mythology is noteworthy, using an episodic structure with subtle links between the individual episodes. Although not widely read in antiquity, the poem gained esteem during the Middle Ages, leading to numerous adaptations in vernacular languages. Preserved through the Carolingian Renaissance, recognition of The Thebaid diminished over time. While earlier scholars criticized it for perceived lack of originality and taste, recent years have seen a revival of interest, bringing the poem closer to the literary canon once again.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0CXFV9K1W
• ISBN13: 9798876304513
• Release Date: January 2024
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 389 Pages
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.2" x 5.5"