The Silvae of Statius [Paperback]

Publius Papinius Statius (Author), Betty Rose Nagle (Translator, Introduction)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0253216672 | ISBN-13: 978-0253216670 | Publication Date: February 20, 2004

Publius Papinius Statius lived from the 40s to the mid-90s C.E. Born in Naples, he was the son of a professional poet and teacher. In his teens he moved to Rome, and there, some years later, he embarked on his own career in poetry. Published near the end of his life, the Silvae is a collection of witty and engaging occasional poems, but beyond their verbal artistry lies their importance as social documents, contemporary witnesses to the Roman world during the reign of Domitian. The poems open a literary window on the material culture of the age and provide valuable insight into the lives of the Roman elite. Betty Rose Nagle's graceful translation brings the world of Statius alive, making accessible this important literary gem. Her Introduction locates Statius in his historical and literary context, considers the importance of his Silvae, and gives a brief history of the text.

(2007)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... this book is more capable than any predecessor of bringing Statius to the classroom. It will be a welcome tool for understanding Statius' difficult poetry... as well as a model for extemporaneous poetry." —Dustin Heinen, University of Florida, The Classical Outlook, Summer 2007

(Dustin Heinen, University of Florida The Classical Outlook 2004)

"College teachers in particular owe [Nagle] a debt of gratitude for making available, in an approachable and highly serviceable volume, a work that shines a rosier light on an era of Roman history usually viewed through the darker lens of Tacitus." —Stephen T. Newmyer, Duquesne University, New England Classical Journal, Vol.32.2 2005

(Stephen T. Newmyer, Duquesne University New England Classical Journal 2005)

"... it will ably serve its intended audience of students of Classical Civilisation, Ancient History and interested general readers." —Claire Gruzelier, King Edward High School for Girls, Birmingham, Journal of Classics Teaching (JACT), #4 2004

(Claire Gruzelier, King Edward High School for Girls, Birmingham Journal of Classics Teaching (JACT) )

"Publius Papinius Statius... and his collection of witty and occasional poems known as the Silvae (forests) is important not only for its verbal artistry but also as a literary window on the material culture of the age of Domitian and a source of insight into the lives of the Roman elite." —New Testament Abstracts, Vol.49.2 2005

(New Testament Abstracts )

"Every translation is by necessity a compromise, and Nagle's compromise is a good one. Clarity and tone win out, with the added bonuses of word order and alliteration, more appropriate in verse than in prose.... Nagle conveys well the wit and liveliness of Statius' poetry without so wrenching it from its context as to smooth off all of its distinctive edges." —Helen Lovatt, University of Nottingham, 2004.09.33

(Helen Lovatt, University of Nottingham BRYN MAWR CLASSICAL REVIEW )

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (February 20, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253216672
• ISBN-13: 978-0253216670
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #956,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars well worth reading, May 21, 2009

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Jack Alan Robbins (white plains, n.y.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Silvae of Statius (Paperback)

Statius is a Roman poet long overlooked. Today a chief claim to fame is that he is referred to in Dante great poen, The Comedy. I read the Oxford U Press translation of The Thebiad, the epic poem from Statius, and found it even in translation a great poem. The Silvae as shorter poems of occasion are well worth the read. Statius was a significant Roman poet and I certainly hope his writings get more attention.