SLC Thesis Template - ResearchSpace@Auckland - The University ...

Names have a special importance for Silius Italicus. Like Livy‟s third decad,
Hannibal is the first named figure in the Punica, but it is Silius Italicus‟ choices of
ahistorical names for many minor characters which are recognisably resonant with
meaning and connotation for his contemporary audience. Since the historical names of
all but the most famous combatants were very unlikely to be known to him, he became
free to apply his own choices for his own purposes. These choices have been noticed
and some have been discussed by scholars. In the Loeb translation, Duff noted against
two individuals, Micipsa and Jugurtha, who appear on the Carthaginian side during the
siege of Saguntum, that „Silius appears to be giving to fictitious persons names that
were famous later in Roman history‟ (Pun. 2.160; 2.165). 455 McGuire discussed Silius
Italicus‟ selection of certain Roman names given in the Catalogue 456 of Roman troops
for their relevance to Roman history generally and especially with their resonances in
the context of civil war (Pun. 8.356-616). 457
Silius Italicus‟ application of ahistorical names was not a new phenomenon in
literature. Braund 458 observed that, in Roman satire, names are deliberately chosen
because they are significant and suitable for the context by evoking particular
characteristics. While not suggesting that the Punica is satire, Silius Italicus was writing
to entertain an educated audience and a light touch of wit with literary allusion does not
necessarily detract from the narrative credibility of his epic. It would remind readers that
certain topics are selected for expansion because they offer intellectual entertainment.
Silius Italicus‟ use of names and descriptions of heroic feats by named individuals
points up a possible omission in Polybius and Livy over the role played by the young
Scipio Africanus at Cannae. In the Punica Scipio is under orders from Varro and
undertakes various heroic deeds (Pun. 9.412ff). Polybius‟ silence may be read to imply
that Scipio was not at Cannae. On the other hand, Livy indirectly indicated Scipio took
part in the battle by bringing him into a meeting with other survivors in the aftermath of
defeat when Scipio required them to swear allegiance to Rome (Livy, 22.53.1-2). There
are a couple of explanations why Polybius and Livy did not discuss Scipio‟s role in the
battle. Firstly, Scipio was too young to be in a position of command and, in the
historiographical tradition, authors generally only name the commanders for a given
455
Duff, 1996, 70, b.
456
Spaltenstein, 1986, 521 describes it as a catalogue along a traditional theme, inspired by Virgil, Aen.
7.647.
457
McGuire, 1985, 27, 77-147.
458
Braund, 1989, 29 draws examples from Horace, Juvenal and Petronius.
233