Oxford University Press - Epic and Empire in Vespasianic Rome

Explore a fresh perspective on Latin literature with Epic and Empire in Vespasianic Rome. This academic work by Stover provides a new reading of Valerius Flaccus' Argonautica, a famous epic poem composed during the reign of Emperor Vespasian (70-79 AD). While many scholars view this text through a pessimistic lens, this volume offers a different interpretation of the narrative. As Jason and the Argonauts embark on their legendary voyage to retrieve the Golden Fleece, the poem serves as more than just a tale of adventure. Stover examines how the epic reflects the restorative ideals of the Vespasianic era. Following the chaos of the civil war in 68-69 AD, the Roman Empire sought to rebuild and establish order. This book connects the themes of the Argonautica to those historical efforts of restoration, making it a valuable resource for students and historians of ancient Greece and Rome.