The Semiotics of Caesar Augustus

Reviews / Votes

Successfully interweaves post-modernism with semiotics and reception theory to create a compelling narrative of the role of Augustus in the twentieth- century context ... Throughout her book, Pyy has linked the varied interpretations of Augustus that inform his portrayal to the ambiguous nature of his representation in the ancient sources ... The analysis is detailed and convincing. The volume establishes the role of the emperor in the postmodern discourse of power, politics, and leadership, highlighting his continuing significance in the modern imagination. It is an insightful work for scholars and advanced students alike, providing inspiration for a deeper analysis of the representation of Augustus Caesar, wherever he might be found. * Bryn Mawr Classical Review * Augustus meets semiotics. In this original and engaging book Elina Pyy juxtaposes the various representations of Augustus in the ancient sources with his various incarnations in modern literature and popular culture. Her in-depth and theoretically informed discussion casts new light on the works of literature and films she has chosen to analyse and demonstrates the value of her approach. Written in a lively and reader-friendly style the book will be of interest not only to classicists and semioticians but also to those who are more generally interested in the reception of Classical Antiquity. * Helene Whittaker, Professor of Classical Archaeology & Ancient History, University of Gothenburg, Sweden * Implicitly challenging specialists from different disciplines, avid readers of historic novels, enthusiasts of the use of history on the big and small screen, analysts in the field of communication, interpreters of political language, Pyy's volume highlights various and more recent "Metamorphoses" of a key figure in ancient history, destined to remain immortal in the western collective imagination, as well as in its cultural memory. * Ida Gilda Mastrorosa, Associate Professor of Roman History and Roman Antiquities and Modern Culture, University of Florence, Italy * The enigmatic figure of Caesar Augustus has been mobilized politically and ideologically for over 2000 years, and particularly in times of turmoil. This book provides a symptomatic reading of different portrayals of Augustus in a variety of examples of 20th century novels, historical fiction, film and television by using an approach grounded in classical historical sources and scholarship on the one hand, and a thematic reception-based interpretation of Kurt Vonnegut's God Bless You, Mr Rosewater on the other. In the case of Augustus, as for many other iconic figures, image triumphs over reality. * Carolina Cambre, Assistant Professor of Eduation, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada *