Pharsalia: Book Guide, Author and Facts
Pharsalia by Lucan — plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.
"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 acco
Quick facts about Pharsalia
- Title: Pharsalia
- Author: Lucan
- First published: 1486
- Genre: campaigns, criticism and interpretation, early works to 1800
- OpenLibrary ID: OL2566239W
Where to read Pharsalia
Pharsalia by Lucan is widely available in print, ebook and audiobook editions from major retailers and libraries.
Compiled from public OpenLibrary data. Availability and details can change over time.
Frequently asked questions
What is Pharsalia about?
"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.
Who wrote Pharsalia?
Pharsalia was written by Lucan.
When was Pharsalia published?
Pharsalia was first published in 1486.
Sources
More in Books & Authors
Keep reading
