Brill’s New Pauly Supplements II - Volume 7 : Figures of Antiquity and their Reception in Art, Literature and Music
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Subject: Classical Studies
Edited by: Peter van Möllendorff, Annette Simonis and Linda Simonis
The 96 contributions in Brill’s New Pauly Supplement 7: Historical Figures from Antiquity depict the survival of great characters from Antiquity to the modern world. Each article presents an overview of the latest research on what we know concerning the lives of the historical person or legendary figure and then recounts the reception of these figures throughout history, giving special attention on the viewpoints in the early modern and contemporary periods.
Subscriptions: See Brill.com
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The 96 contributions in Brill’s New Pauly Supplement 7: Historical Figures from Antiquity depict the survival of great characters from Antiquity to the modern world. Each article presents an overview of the latest research on what we know concerning the lives of the historical person or legendary figure and then recounts the reception of these figures throughout history, giving special attention on the viewpoints in the early modern and contemporary periods.
Subscriptions: See Brill.com
Marcus Aurelius
(3,872 words)
(
Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus; Greek Μάρκος Αὐρήλιος/
Márkos Aurḗlios)
A. Historical dimension The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (AD 121–180, reigned 161–180) was born Marcus Annius Verus in Rome, and his grandfather adopted him after the early death of his father. As son of a senator, he received a solid education in language and literature, but was also taught painting. His teacher, Diognetus, is said to have kindled his interest in philosophy. At the age of twelve, he the…
Date:
2016-02-22
Mark Antony
(5,426 words)
(
Marcus Antonius; Greek Ἀντώνιος/
Antṓnios)
A. Historical dimension Marcus Antonius (83/82–30 BC; 'M.A.'), politician and general at the time of the Civil Wars in the late Roman Republic, was from 51 BC a close confidant and friend of Caesar's (Caes. B Gall. [Hirtius] 8,50,1 f.). He quickly distinguished himself as a good general and brave commander in the field (Plut. Ant. 3,2), but in private he gave grounds for rumours about his dissolute lifestyle. From 48 BC, he was Caesar's representati…
Date:
2016-02-22
Menander
(2,737 words)
(Μένανδρος/
Ménandros; Latin
Menander)
A. Historical dimension The Greek playwright M. (342/41–291/90 BC), a pupil of Theophrastus and Epicurus and follower of the Peripatetic school of Aristotle, is regarded as the most important author of the so-called Greek New Comedy (
Néa), less satirical than the 'Old Comedy' created by Aristophanes and not directly political. Probably not least in reaction to the Aristotle's derogatory verdict on the comic genre [20.307 f.], it presented a small number of stereotypical characters with conflicting interests in a tightly c…
Date:
2016-02-22
Messalina
(2,124 words)
(
Valeria Messalina)
A. Historical dimension M. (
c. AD 20–48) was the third wife of the Roman emperor Claudius, who became famous, or notorious for her debauched lifestyle and for fomenting intrigues at court. A granddaughter of Augustus' sister Octavia, she was married to Claudius, some 30 years her senior, before he acceded to the throne (AD 39/40). The marriage produced a daughter, Octavia (later the wife of Nero) and a son, Britannicus. M. was said to have used freedmen and secretaries as accomplices to manipulate the emperor and satisfy her desires. She incit…
Date:
2016-02-22