The prose prefaces of Martial and Statius : a study in literary purpose

Parker, Grant

The prose prefaces of Martial and Statius : a study in literary purpose

Master Thesis

1991

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Classical Studies

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Abstract

In this thesis I offer a detailed examination of the ten prose prefaces which head the Epigrams of Martial (AD c45-c96) and the Siluae of Statius (c45-c96). The most remarkable feature of these ten short pieces of prose lies in the field of literary history: these are the first extant instances of collections of verse which are headed with pieces of prose, and it is chiefly from this angle that the prefaces are studied. The body of the thesis (Section B) is devoted to a close thematic examination of the prefaces. Their content is discussed under three main headings, namely justification, information and request (chapters 5, 6 and 7 respectively). Within this framework the prefaces are examined in the terms suggested by the four chapters of Section A - the literary history of prefacing (both prose prefaces per se and proems to collections of verse), the production and dissemination of ancient literature, the patronage of letters, and the biographies of the two poets (chapters 1 to 4 respectively). All these topics are treated broadly in Section A and then with specific reference to the prefaces in Section B.

Description

Bibliography: pages 207-225.

Keywords

Classical Studies

Reference:

Collections

Masters

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