This anthology is dedicated to the Roman epic poets Lucan, Valerius Flaccus, Statius and Silius Italicus. The contributions examine the contrast between genre theory and practice, the interplay of genre interference and intertextuality, and the tension between convention and innovation.
The focus is on the relationship of post-Augustan epic poetry to the earlier tradition, i.e. to authoritative predecessors such as Homer, Virgil and Ovid. The self-positioning of later poets in relation to the canon often goes hand in hand with an endeavour to reconfigure traditional elements: By omitting, varying or exaggerating aspects typical of the genre, their works enter into a dialogue with the earlier epics, permanently subverting the audience's horizons of expectation. The integration of non-genre discourses plays a central role here: modern literary concepts for analysing genre interference are critically evaluated in the anthology and incorporated into the interpretation in a reflective manner.
The methodological range and innovative approaches in this volume make an important contribution to deepening and expanding the current state of research.