
The Thebaid
Seven against Thebes
Publius Papinius Statius(Author)
Johns Hopkins University Press
Published on 26. April 2007
Book
Paperback/Softback
432 pages
978-0-8018-8636-2 (ISBN)
Description
A classical epic of fratricide and war, the Thebaid retells the legendary conflict between the sons of Oedipus-Polynices and Eteocles-for control of the city of Thebes. The Latin poet Statius reworks a familiar story from Greek myth, dramatized long before by Aeschylus in his tragedy Seven against Thebes. Statius chose his subject well: the Rome of his day, ruled by the emperor Domitian, was not too distant from the civil wars that had threatened the survival of the empire. Published in 92 A.D., the Thebaid was an immediate success, and its fame grew in succeeding centuries. It reached its peak of popularity in the later Middle Ages and Renaissance, influencing Dante, Chaucer, and perhaps Shakespeare. In recent times, however, it has received perhaps less attention than it deserves, in large part because there has been no accessible, dynamic translation of the work into English. Charles Stanley Ross offers a compelling version of the Thebaid rendered into forceful, modern English. Casting Statius's Latin hexameter into a lively iambic pentameter more natural to the modern ear, Ross frees the work from the archaic formality that has marred previous translations.
His translation reinvigorates the Thebaid as a whole: its meditative first half and its violent second half; its intimate portrayal of defeat and retribution, and the need to seek justice at any cost. In a wide-ranging introduction, Ross provides an overview of the poem: its composition, reception and legacy; its major themes and literary influences; and its place in Statius' life. And in a helpful series of notes, he offers background information on the major characters and incidents.
His translation reinvigorates the Thebaid as a whole: its meditative first half and its violent second half; its intimate portrayal of defeat and retribution, and the need to seek justice at any cost. In a wide-ranging introduction, Ross provides an overview of the poem: its composition, reception and legacy; its major themes and literary influences; and its place in Statius' life. And in a helpful series of notes, he offers background information on the major characters and incidents.
Reviews / Votes
The fluency, clarity, and immediacy of this translation make it the best available choice for teachers who wish to introduce students to a great but often neglected poet. -- Neil Bernstein Classical Outlook 2005 Readers of Ross' translation in American verse will enjoy the flow of his English. -- Paolo Asso New England Classical Journal 2005More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Baltimore, MD
United States
Target group
Adult education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 227 mm
Width: 151 mm
Thickness: 34 mm
Weight
573 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8018-8636-2 (9780801886362)
DOI
10.1353/book.20661
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
04/2007
Johns Hopkins University Press
€22.49
Available for download

Book
02/2005
Johns Hopkins University Press
€88.09
Article not available for order
Persons
Charles Stanley Ross is a professor of English and chair of the program in comparative literature at Purdue University.
Content
Introduction
The Thebaid
1. Exile
2. Ambush
3. Omens
4. Thirst
5. Women of Lemnos
6. Funeral Games
7. Earth Opens
8. Savage Hunter
9. Tide and Time
10. Sacrifices
11. Piety
12. Clemency
Notes
Selected Proper Names
Selected Annotated Bibliography
Acknowledgments
The Thebaid
1. Exile
2. Ambush
3. Omens
4. Thirst
5. Women of Lemnos
6. Funeral Games
7. Earth Opens
8. Savage Hunter
9. Tide and Time
10. Sacrifices
11. Piety
12. Clemency
Notes
Selected Proper Names
Selected Annotated Bibliography
Acknowledgments