Aetna
The pseudo-Virgilian Aetna poem has fascinated textual critics for centuries on account of its badly corrupted state. But it is fascinating for its content as well. It appears to date from the first half of the first century AD sometime prior to 79, for it describes Vesuvius as extinct. The highly original account of a volcano with scientific, if eccentric, views of volcanic activity, is enlivened by vivid imagery, and digressions, such as a section in praise of physical science and the tale of two brothers who rescued their parents from an eruption. Dual language: Latin - English. Robinson Ellis worked on the poem for decades, and his 1901 edition constitutes a significant contribution to its study. In her new introduction to this reissue of the complete Latin text and translation with Ellis's commentary, Katharina Volk discusses Ellis's achievement in the context of his career and as part of the history of critical engagement with Aetna
Print Book, Latin, 2008
Bristol Phoenix Press, Exeter, 2008