Can I read The Fragility of Power : Statius, Domitian and the Politics of the Thebaid on EtoBox?

The Fragility of Power : Statius, Domitian and the Politics of the Thebaid by Stefano Rebeggiani is a book available to read on EtoBox.

What is The Fragility of Power : Statius, Domitian and the Politics of the Thebaid about?

Statius' narrative of the fraternal strife of the Theban brothers Eteocles and Polynices has had a profound influence on Western literature and fascinated generations of scholars and readers. This book studies in detail the poem's view of power and its interaction with historical contexts. Written under Domitian and in the aftermath of the civil war of 69 CE, the <em>Thebaid </em>uses the veil of myth to reflect on the political reality of imperial Rome. The poem offers its contemporary readers, including the emperor, a cautionary tale of kingship and power. Rooted in a pessimistic view of human beings and human relationships, the <em>Thebaid</em> reflects on the harsh necessity of monarchical power as the only antidote to a world always on the verge of returning to chaos. While humans, and especially kings, are fragile and often the prey of irrational passions, the <em>Thebaid</em> expresses the hope that an illuminated sovereign endowed with <em>clementia</em> (mercy) may offer a solution to the political crisis of the Roman empire. Statius' narrative also responds to Domitian's problematic interaction with the emperor Nero, whom Domitian regarded as both a negative model and a s

Author

Stefano Rebeggiani

Publisher

Oxford University Press Academic US

Published

2018

Language

EN

ISBN

9780190251826

Subjects

History, Literary Collections, Poetry