The Cambridge Critical Guide to Latin Literature

A critical overview of work on Latin literature opening up broad geographical, chronological, disciplinary and methodological horizons.

Roy Gibson (Edited by), Christopher Whitton (Edited by)

9781108421089, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 18 January 2024

946 pages
23.5 x 15.5 x 5.2 cm, 1.623 kg

'This important work will shape the field for the next generation … Highly recommended.' P. E. Ojennus, CHOICE

The Cambridge Critical Guide to Latin Literature offers a critical overview of work on Latin literature. Where are we? How did we get here? Where to next? Fifteen commissioned chapters, along with an extensive introduction and Mary Beard's postscript, approach these questions from a range of angles. They aim not to codify the field, but to give snapshots of the discipline from different perspectives, and to offer provocations for future development. The Critical Guide aims to stimulate reflection on how we engage with Latin literature. Texts, tools and territories are the three areas of focus. The Guide situates the study of classical Latin literature within its global context from late antiquity to Neo-Latin, moving away from an exclusive focus on the pre-200 CE corpus. It recalibrates links with adjoining disciplines (history, philosophy, material culture, linguistics, political thought, Greek), and takes a fresh look at key tools (editing, reception, intertextuality, theory).

1. Introduction: texts, tools, territories Roy Gibson and Christopher Whitton
2. Canons Irene
3. Periodisations Gavin Kelly
4. Author and identity Alison Sharrock
5. Intertextuality Donncha O'Rourke and Aaron Pelttari
6. Mediaeval Latin Justin Stover
7. Neo-Latin Yasmin Haskell
8. Reception James Uden
9. National traditions Therese Fuhrer
10. Editing Samuel J. Huskey and Robert A. Kaster
11. Latin literature and linguistics James Clackson
12. Latin literature and material culture Michael Squire and Jaś Elsner
13. Philosophy Katharina Volk
14. Political thought Michèle Lowrie
15. Latin literature and roman history Myles Lavan
16. Latin literature and Greek Simon Goldhill
17. Envoi Mary Beard.

Subject Areas: Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1]