A Commentary On Lucan, De Bello Civili Iv —— Introduction, Edition, and Translation

----- 卢肯述评，战记奇维利四:导言，出版和翻译

ISBN: 9783110203851 出版年：2010 页码：343 Asso, Paolo De Gruyter

Book 4 of Lucan′s epic contrasts Europe with Africa. At the battle of Lerida (Spain), a violent storm causes the local rivers to flood the plain between the two hills where the opposing armies are camped. Asso′s commentary traces Lucan′s reminiscences of early Greek tales of creation, when Chaos held the elements in indistinct confusion. This primordial broth sets the tone for the whole book. After the battle, the scene switches to the Adriatic shore of Illyricum (Albania), and finally to Africa, where the proto-mythical water of the beginning of the book cedes to the dryness of the desert. The narrative unfolds against the background of the War of the Elements. The Spanish deluge is replaced by the desiccated desolation of Africa. The commentary contrasts the representations of Rome with Africa and explores the significance of Africa as a space contaminated by evil, but which remains an integral part of Rome.