Description
Book SynopsisThis first in-depth study of Valerius Flaccus’ animals reveals their role in his poetic programme and the manifold ways in which he establishes their subjectivity. In one encounter, a trapped bird becomes a tragic victim, while the trapper is dehumanized. Elsewhere there are touching portrayals of animal/human camaraderie and friendship. Furthermore, Valerius’ provocative consideration of the ‘monstrous’ challenges simplistic definitions of any being’s nature, or the nature of relationships across species. His challenge entails profound ethical implications for his Roman readership, which resonate with us as we assess our own relationship to animals and the natural world today.
Trade Review"Although the book is not organized chronologically, all passages are remarkably well contextualized and introduced, making it easy for the reader to understand the issues at stake. On the whole the monograph is thoughtfully structured and delivers what the author promises in the introduction: an intertextual study of passages featuring interactions between men and animals in Valerius’ Argonautica, with a focus on emotions." Melissande Tomcik in BMCR 2023.03.29
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Abbreviations General Introduction 1 Background 1: Discussions in Valerian Scholarship 2 Background 2: The Literary & Cultural Contexts of Valerius’ Animals 3 Methodology 1 Empathy: Animal Experience in Simile 1 Bulls & Herds: Safety in Numbers 2 The Animal Mother: Gender & Generic Boundaries 3 Behaviour Patterns: Life Cycles & Phases Conclusion 2 Relating: Human/Animal Interactions 1 Human Dominion 2 Human & Animal Trans-Species Collaboration Conclusion 3 Identity: Human Appropriation of Animal Skins 1 Heroic Identification 2 (Re)emergence of the Animal Conclusion 4 Presence: Animal Emissaries & Cult Companions 1 Sight: Jupiter’s Birds 2 Sound: The Animal Voice Conclusion 5 Serpentine: Meditation on the Monstrous 1 Snaky Monsters & the New World Order 2 Snakes on Cyzicus, Arg. 3.456–458 3 Medea & Her draco Conclusion General Conclusion Appendix: Indices of Animal & Related References in Valerius Flaccus. Bibliography Index
