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‘Fame Is The Spur’: Memoria, Gloria, and Poetry Among the Elite in Flavian Rome

Anderson, Peter John
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1044975253

Abstract Details

2003, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences : Classics.
In this dissertation I situate and analyze expressions of renown in nugatory poetry of the Flavian period – Statius, Martial, and Pliny – within the context of Roman elite attitudes toward memoria and the literary tradition of the poet’s own success and renown. I assess the extent to which elite concern for commemoration affect literary expressions of the poet’s own renown. I begin in Chapter One “Memoria” with a series of illustrative examples in support of the base assertion that concern for memoria is symptomatic of Roman elite culture. I suggest – through brief analyses of Cicero’s post-consular and post reditum speeches, Tacitus’ de vita Julii Agricolae, the so-called damnatio memoriae and the Senatus Consultum de Pisone Patre, and two quasi-case studies on the importance of memoria for writers under the early empire – that the major motivation which seems to underpin this need to commemorate is the desire to ensure individual posterity and/or to assure a corporate family influence. In Chapter Two “Terms of Praise” I focus on those words used by poets in the Flavian period to describe their own excellence and success as poets. Five key terms dominate this discussion: fama, laus, nomen, honor(-os), and gloria. In Chapters Three (Statius), Four (Martial), and Five (Pliny) I undertake focused analysis of the expressions of and attitudes towards their own success and renown. Statius, a professional poet, serves in many respects as a counter example to Martial and Pliny, most of all because Statius shows no interest in the Silvae as vehicles for his own memoria or renown. He looks instead to his epic poetry in that regard. Martial, the jaded raconteur of elite attitudes and habits, provides an informative perspective on the criteria for a poet’s success, and on the consequences of success for memoria and renown. With Pliny I describe the motivations and assumptions underlying the production of literature – especially nugatory poetry – among his group of elite friends, relating these to similar aspects of literary culture in Martial.
Dr. William A. Johnson (Advisor)
298 p.
Literature, Classical
Pliny Minor; Martial; Statius; Gloria; Elite Culture

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Anderson, P. J. (2003). ‘Fame Is The Spur’: Memoria, Gloria, and Poetry Among the Elite in Flavian Rome [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1044975253

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Anderson, Peter. ‘Fame Is The Spur’: Memoria, Gloria, and Poetry Among the Elite in Flavian Rome. 2003. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1044975253.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Anderson, Peter. "‘Fame Is The Spur’: Memoria, Gloria, and Poetry Among the Elite in Flavian Rome." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2003. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1044975253

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2003, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.