Dionysius of Halicarnassus and Augustan Rome
Rhetoric, Criticism and Historiography

Interprets the works of Dionysius of Halicarnassus, an important critic and historian in Rome, in a range of contexts.

Richard Hunter (Edited by), Casper C. de Jonge (Edited by)

9781108474900, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 1 November 2018

310 pages
23.5 x 15.9 x 2 cm, 0.59 kg

'… this volume will offer a highly valuable tool not only for scholars interested in Dionysius' works, but also for those investigating Augustan and Early Imperial literature in general as well as the cultural and social changes surrounding the Mediterranean world at that time.' Beatrice Poletti, Bryn Mawr Classical Review (BMCR)

The Greek author Dionysius of Halicarnassus came to Rome in 30/29 BC. He learnt Latin, developed a network of students, patrons and colleagues, and started to teach rhetoric. He published a history of early Rome (Roman Antiquities), and essays on rhetoric and literary criticism, including On the Ancient Orators, On Composition, and several letters. This volume examines how Dionysius' critical and rhetorical works are connected with his history of Rome, and the complex ways in which both components of this dual project - rhetorical criticism and historiography - fit into the social, intellectual, literary, cultural and political world of Rome under Augustus. How does Dionysius' interpretation of the earliest Romans resonate with the political reality of the Principate? And how do his views relate to those of Cicero, Livy and Horace? This volume casts new light on ancient rhetoric, literary criticism, historiography and the literary culture of Augustan Rome.

Introduction Casper C. de Jonge and Richard Hunter
Part I. Dionysius and Augustan Rhetoric and Literary Criticism: 1. Dionysius of Halicarnassus and the idea of the critic Richard Hunter
2. Experiencing the past: language, time, and historical consciousness in Dionysian criticism Nicolas Wiater
3. Dionysius' Demosthenes and Augustan Atticism Harvey Yunis
4. Dionysius and Lysias' charm Laura Viidebaum
Part II. Dionysius and Augustan Historiography: 5. The expansive scale of the Roman Antiquities Stephen P. Oakley
6. Ways of killing women: Dionysius on the deaths of Horatia and Lucretia Clemence Schultze
7. The prehistory of the Roman polis in Dionysius Matthew Fox
Part III. Dionysius and Augustan Rome: 8. Dionysius on regime change Christopher Pelling
9. How Roman are the Antiquities? The Decemvirate according to Dionysius Daniel Hogg
10. Dionysius and Horace: composition in Augustan Rome Casper C. de Jonge
Envoi: migrancy Joy Connolly.

Subject Areas: Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB]