Silius' Influences
Silius' Influences
This chapter explores the relationship between SiliusItalicus’ Punica and its main historigraphic influence: Livy's Ab Urbe Condita. The focus is primarily on Livy's third decade, which covers the period of the second Punic war until after Carthage's defeat at the Battle of Zama. By comparing, for instance, the structure of the two works, it is noted that the genre of epic grants SiliusItalicus the freedom to manipulate the time-frame for events and to present a version of the war that is Hannibal-centric. Finally, consideration is given to the re-emergence of Hannibal in the fourth decade of Livy's history, which covers a period of time only referred to in passing by Silius,where the Carthaginian's status as a perpetual source of dread to Rome is reinforced.
Keywords: Livy, ab urbe condita, structure, historiography, epic
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