Edited by William S. Anderson

Description

Anderson's narrative in The Art of the Aeneid provides the modern reader fresh insights into Vergil, into the Aeneid. His analysis illuminates the literary and historical context and covers each of the twelve books of one of the greatest and most enduring works of Latin literature.

Special Features

The Art of the Aeneid includes:

• Notes
  
• Chronology of Vergil's historical context
  
• List of sources for further reading
  
• Index
  
• Map of the wanderings of Aeneas

Author Bio

William S. Anderson is professor emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley. He received his B.A. from Yale University, his M.A. from Cambridge University, and his Ph.D. from Yale University. His other works include Ovid's Metamorphoses, books 6-10; P. Ovidii Nasonis Metamorphoses (Teubner); Essays on Roman Satire; Selections from Ovid's Metamorphoses (with M. Frederick); and Barbarian play: Plautus' Roman comedy.

Comparison

Introduction to Virgil's Aeneid, W. A. Camp, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-872024-6, paperback, $16.95
Virgil's Aeneid: Interpretation and Influence, Michael C. J. Putnam, University of North Carolina Press, 1995, ISBN 0-807-84499-3, $18.95
Why Vergil: A Collection of Interpretations, Stephanie Quinn, Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, 2000, ISBN 0-86516-418-5, $53.00 (paperback); ISBN 0-86516-435.5, $84.00 (hardbound)

Comments and Reviews

Now in its second edition, The Art of the Aeneid is Professor William S. Anderson's 138-page analytic introduction to Vergil's epic saga Aeneid, and a "useful start on Rome's finest poem". Professor Anderson (Emeritus Professor of Latin at the University of California at Berkeley), has taught Latin previously at Yale and published informative works on Horace, Vergil, Roman comedy and satire, and Ovid's Metamorphoses. Beginning with a map tracing the wanderings of Aeneas, The Art of the Aeneid continues in eight chapters to analyze twelve books of the Aeneid, provide background on Vergil and epic style, and offer illumination on Latin-English translation and Vergil's style. Two invaluable appendices include a chronology of Vergil's life and works in historical context and a list of resources for further reading, followed by extensive notes to the chapters and an index. The Art of the Aeneid provides the reader with an excellent critical summary of Vergil's Aeneid and its poetic art. Professor Anderson provides a justified framework to well-reasoned conclusions about the intent of Vergil in presenting certain details as he does. An added attraction of this paperback edition is its lovely, full color cover illustration by Thom Kapheim. The Art of the Aeneid is a fine scholar's resource and can also be enjoyed by any appreciator of the Latin classics and would prove a core addition to academic library Latin Studies reference collections. Also very highly recommended for students of Latin are three other Bolchazy-Cardduci titles: A Horace Workbook, Catullus Expanded Edition, and Vergil Vocabulary Cards For AP Selections

— Midwest Book Review

I look forward to using this outstanding introduction to/analysis of the Aeneid with my AP students next year. I would use it to help organize their overall understanding of the poem, after they have read it in its entirety (in English), and have read as much as possible of the syllabus in Latin; i.e., it will provide a good review of the poem before they take the AP exam. Anderson quotes/paraphrases the poem clearly, discusses the major themes in ways that will be understandable to the students, yet will challenge them to think about the work deeply. He gives his own interpretation of the poem, which is why I would want them to begin to come to terms themselves with the work before reading him (so I would not ask students to begin their study of the Aeneid with this book). I have enjoyed mentally agreeing with and sometimes arguing with Anderson as I read him.

— Suzanne Nussbaum
Ithaca, NY

Clear, concise, but still remarkably detailed "handbook" to Virgil's Aeneid. I am coming to it as I embark on a 2nd reading of The Aeneid in translation (a different translation from the first), and I find it to be a wonderful companion as I attempt to get deeper into the text on this 2nd reading. Anderson's short book covers the poem's themes, symbolism, and imagery in a comprehensive manner. He gives you the big picture and integrated snapshots. The first chapter, "Vergil begins his epic", covers a lot of important ground in just 23 pages, without overwhelming the reader. I recommend this book more as a companion on that 2nd journey through Virgil's masterpiece than as an introduction, if your first reading is still fresh in your mind and you want the assistance of a scholar in making linkages within the text and/or answering questions that you might have had difficulty articulating even to yourself. Anderson seems to anticipate the questions of an intelligent and eager reader.

— Adalbert Stifter
Linz, Austria