THE STAR MENAGERIE: PERSONIFICATION IN ARATUS 19–453 AND MANILIUS 1. 263–446 Cover Image

THE STAR MENAGERIE: PERSONIFICATION IN ARATUS 19–453 AND MANILIUS 1. 263–446
THE STAR MENAGERIE: PERSONIFICATION IN ARATUS 19–453 AND MANILIUS 1. 263–446

Author(s): Marko Vitas
Subject(s): History, Studies of Literature, Ancient World, Philology
Published by: Vilniaus Universiteto Leidykla
Keywords: Aratus; Aratea; Manilius; personification; animals;

Summary/Abstract: This paper compares Manilius’ use of personification to that of Aratus and his Roman translators. First, I reevaluate the role of personifications in the astronomical texts. I explain the term “personification of the second level” and argue that this type of personification leads to the presentation of the constellations as alive rather than conventional. Further on, it is shown in the paper that Manilius used fewer personifications than Aratus and other comparable texts. I offer two solutions for these results.

  • Issue Year: 59/2017
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 19-29
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: English