Pharsalia
About this book
"In this edition Professor Fantham offers the first full-scale commentary on the neglected second book of Lucan's epic poem on the war between Caesar and Pompey: De bello civili. Book II presents all three leading figures - Cato, Caesar and Pompey - in speech and action. It expresses the moral and political dilemma of civil war and portrays Pompey's loss of authority during his withdrawal from Italy in language designed to evoke and cancel Virgil's heroic presentation of the foundation myth of Aeneas. It is a book rich in the history and geography of Roman Italy, including the retrospective narrative of Marius' and Sulla's reigns of civil terror at Rome, an unusual wedding scene, a verbal map of Italy, and a swift-paced narrative of Caesar's blockade and Pompey's Dunkirk-like evacuation of the republican forces from Brundisium." "In her introduction Professor Fantham gives a general account of Lucan's life and work, and continues with a discussion of his narrative and interpretation of Caesar's military 'invasion' of Italy covering books I and II, a survey of language, style and metre, and a brief history of the text."--BOOK JACKET.
Reader Profile
3.9/5 · 1705 readers · 424 pages · ≈ 7 h 51 m · Demanding
How long does it take to read Pharsalia?
About ≈ 7 h 51 m — 424 pages, assuming roughly 250 words per page at 225 words per minute.
How many pages is Pharsalia?
424 pages in its most-read edition.
What genre is Pharsalia?
It sits on the Philosophy, Poetry, History shelves.
Is Pharsalia in the public domain?
Yes — it is free to read and share.
Who are the main characters in Pharsalia?
The main characters include Gaius Calpurnius Piso (d. 65), Henri Le Bonniec, Lucan (39-65), Pierre Wuilleumier.
Where does Pharsalia take place?
It is set in 48 B.C. Pharsalus, Battle of, Rome during Civil War, 49-45 B.C, Civil War, 49-45 B.C., Civil War, 49-48 B. C..
Who wrote Pharsalia?
Lucan.
Where can I read Pharsalia online for free?
It is in the public domain — read it free on Open Library