Unit:
Library of the School of PhilosophyΚατεύθυνση Λατινική Φιλολογία
Supervisors info:
Παπαϊωάννου Σοφία, Καθηγήτρια Κλασικής Φιλολογίας, Τμήμα Φιλολογίας, Φιλοσοφική Σχολή ΕΚΠΑ
Μιχαλόπουλος Ανδρέας, Καθηγητής Κλασικής Φιλολογίας, Τμήμα Φιλολογίας, Φιλοσοφική Σχολή ΕΚΠΑ
Γκαράνη Μυρτώ, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια Κλασικής Φιλολογίας, Τμήμα Φιλολογίας, Φιλοσοφική Σχολή ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Η λειτουργία των ανεκδότων στην αυτοκρατορική βιογραφία: Suetonius, Divus Vespasianus
Translated title:
The function of anecdotes in imperial biography: Suetonius, Divus Vespasianus
Summary:
The purpose of this thesis is to examine the function of anecdotes in imperial biography through the example of Suetonius’ Divus Vespasianus. Fourteen narratives of omens, dreams, prophecies and miracles that portend Vespasian’s rise to the imperial throne are recorded in this biography. They were all composed in such a way as to accommodate the particular promotional needs of Emperor Vespasian. Their analysis, both of form and content, leads to the conclusion that Suetonius intentionally, through contrasts and other figures of speech, overstates the paradox of Vespasian’s accession, by presenting him at the same time as the chosen of the gods and the savior of the Roman empire. To reflect the diversity of anecdotes in this work, we will attempt a comparative approach with anecdotes recorded in the biography Divus Augustus, in which the relationship between Octavian and the glorious past of Rome is displayed with particular emphasis. Consequently, it becomes obvious that anecdotographia within the imperial biography adapts to the specific promotional needs of each emperor, instead of following fixed rules.
Main subject category:
Latin literature
Keywords:
anecdotes, biography, Suetonius, Vespasianus, prodigies
Number of references:
113
