- Universität Wien
Institut für Alte Geschichte und Altertumskunde, Papyrologie und Epigraphik
Universitätsring 1
A-1010 Wien
Österreich/Austria
- Latin Language and Literature, Latin linguistics, Ancient Linguistics, Latin Epigraphy, Roman Metre, Roman Comedy, and 18 moreRoman Drama, Classics, Graffiti, Ancient Graffiti (Archaeology), Vulgar Latin, Fragmentary Latin Poetry, Terence, Terentius, Terenz, Carmina Latina Epigraphica, Latin Literature, Languages and Linguistics, Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Latin graffiti, Latin, Graffiti in history, and Roman Epigraphyedit
- Classicist.edit
Notions, as well as realities, of foreignness, alienness, and not-belonging in the Roman world have received ample treatment, from a broad range of perspectives, in recent scholarship. An important aspect that has not been covered thus... more
Notions, as well as realities, of foreignness, alienness, and not-belonging in the Roman world have received ample treatment, from a broad range of perspectives, in recent scholarship. An important aspect that has not been covered thus far is the question of how these experiences inscribed themselves in the history of the mentality, especially (but not only) of those affected, and how these deeply subjective and personal experiences extended into poetic environments beyond the literary canon. The present paper addresses this matter through a full-scale discussion of the terminology directly related to the terms barbarus and barbaricus as they are found in the Latin verse inscriptions. The body of evidence is of especial importance in this regard, as it reflects a cultural practice that spans the geographical, chronological, and social dimensions of the Roman empire. Starting with the earliest evidence of the term in the verse inscriptions of Pompeii, the paper then examines the remaining evidence which can be grouped in three main clusters: (i) mentions of barbarians as worthy opponents, (ii) references to barbarians as those who lack civilisation and refinement, and (iii) instances in which the term barbarus has been used in self-representation and self-description.
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The late antique comedy Querolus (or Aulularia) makes a number of references to the ways in which the text of an inscribed urn was read. This is important, hitherto neglected evidence for the way in which encounters and interactions with... more
The late antique comedy Querolus (or Aulularia) makes a number of references to the ways in which the text of an inscribed urn was read. This is important, hitherto neglected evidence for the way in which encounters and interactions with inscribed objects, especially from a funerary sphere, were imagined in the Roman world. Based on an in-depth discussion of relevant passages, initial conclusions are drawn and linked to related phrases and passages in surviving epigraphic evidence, giving reason to rethink the multi-layered, complex sensuous experience that is commonly just referred to as ‘reading inscriptions’.
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It has been argued that there were groups of artists called poetae Vergiliani and poetae Ovidiani. While this may be the case, re-examination of commonly adduced epigraphic evidence shows that these inscriptions cannot be used to support... more
It has been argued that there were groups of artists called poetae Vergiliani and poetae Ovidiani. While this may be the case, re-examination of commonly adduced epigraphic evidence shows that these inscriptions cannot be used to support this view.
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Antike Viten berichten, dass der erste dichterische Versuch Vergils ein Epigramm auf seinen Lehrer Ballista gewesen sei. Ballista, des Nachts als Straßenräuber tätig, sei gesteinigt worden, was seinen bis dahin eher unscheinbaren Schüler... more
Antike Viten berichten, dass der erste dichterische Versuch Vergils ein Epigramm auf seinen Lehrer Ballista gewesen sei. Ballista, des Nachts als Straßenräuber tätig, sei gesteinigt worden, was seinen bis dahin eher unscheinbaren Schüler dazu veranlasst habe, den Zwischenfall in poetischer Form zu verarbeiten. Der Text des Ballista-Epigramms ist dekontextualisert auch in weiteren Anthologien überliefert, und es existiert eine Anzahl antiker Inschriften, die auf diesen Text mehr oder weniger explizit Bezug zu nehmen scheinen. Aufbauend auf einer Analyse des Epigrammtexts selbst, aber auch durch den Vergleich mit den epigraphischen Parallelen soll gezeigt werden, wie in immer stärkerem Maß pseudobiographische und interpretatorischen Informationen in den Überlieferungskontext der Viten eingeflossen sind (und woher einige der besonders weitreichenden Interpretationen auch jenseits des Wortlautes stammen mögen). Dies mündet schließlich in Überlegungen zur römischen Dichtungskultur allgemein, in welcher die literarische Tradition nur eine von vielen Facetten darstellte.
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An introduction to the Latin Verse Inscriptions from Roman Britain
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In den Grabgedichten der beiden germanischen Provinzen Germania Inferior und Germania Superior bildet der Themenkomplex der Sklaverei einen wichtigen Schwerpunkt, der es gestattet, nicht nur der Praxis der Sklavenhaltung selbst, sondern... more
In den Grabgedichten der beiden germanischen Provinzen Germania Inferior und Germania Superior bildet der Themenkomplex der Sklaverei einen wichtigen Schwerpunkt, der es gestattet, nicht nur der Praxis der Sklavenhaltung selbst, sondern auch der dichterischen Imaginierung und Re-Imaginierung von persönlicher Unfreiheit und Abhängigkeit näher zu kommen. Im Falle der beiden germanischen Provinzen tritt vor allem die Perspektive der Sklavenbesitzer, nicht die der Sklaven, in besonderem Maße hervor. Obschon oft als wenig vollkommene Dichtung vernachlässigt, zeugen die hier behandelten Carmina Epigraphica von klarem ästhetischem Gestaltungs- und Ausdruckswillen ebenso wie von der Fähigkeit, sozio-kulturelle (und ökonomische) Realitäten in eindringliche Bilder zu kleiden, die zum einen der öffentlichen Selbstdarstellung der Sklavenbesitzer dienen, zum anderen dazu geeignet sind, dem Status Quo Dauerhaftigkeit zu verleihen.
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A re-examination of EE VII 928 = RIB 659.
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Based on a survey of the evidence for perishable and liminal Roman material writing habits that might appropriately be described as ‘fringe epigraphy’, this paper invites a conceptual re-evaluation of writing and the role of letters,... more
Based on a survey of the evidence for perishable and liminal Roman material writing habits that might appropriately be described as ‘fringe epigraphy’, this paper invites a conceptual re-evaluation of writing and the role of letters, words, and texts – including their perception – in the Roman world. It thus challenges recent attempts of an all too narrow disciplinary, institutional view of what might constitute Latin epigraphy. Much rather, it is argued, it seems appropriate to think of the Roman world as a fundamentally lettered one – a world that is not only described and perceived, but, in actual fact, even imagined and explained in such terms, allowing for fluid transitions from monumental to informal, from serious and communication-driven to playful, pointless, and sensational, and ultimately from real to imagined.
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This is an investigation of the emergence of the text of Terence's dramatic scripts prior to its first 'publication'
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Careful analysis of RIB 2491.147, the famous London Austalis tile, shows that this piece was written by two hands rather than one, as previously assumed.
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This article offers a fresh view on the poetics of the pseudo-Vergilian poem Aetna, proposing a carefully planned and executed structure which is supported through a deliberate arrangement of key terms in the poem as well as a network of... more
This article offers a fresh view on the poetics of the pseudo-Vergilian poem Aetna, proposing a carefully planned and executed structure which is supported through a deliberate arrangement of key terms in the poem as well as a network of verbal cross-references.
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NB, uploaded file does have an incorrect pagination (page proofs).
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An examination of the use(s) of the future imperative in the Latin verse inscriptions.
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Recent years have seen an increase in sociolinguistic studies of the Latin language devoted to aspects and forms of politeness as part of general linguistic behaviour, and considerable progress has been made overall. One area, albeit... more
Recent years have seen an increase in sociolinguistic studies of the Latin language devoted to aspects and forms of politeness as part of general linguistic behaviour, and considerable progress has been made overall. One area, albeit central to the notion of politeness, has been conspicuously neglected so far, and this area is best summarised by the term ‘apologies’. This paper aims to remedy this situation and to provide a first extensive case study, based on the textual corpus of Terence.
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Research Interests: Pompeii (Archaeology), Latin Epigraphy, Death and Burial (Archaeology), Roman Epigraphy, Roman burial practices, and 7 morePompeii and Herculaneum, Classics: Ancient History and Archaeology, Roman Tombs, Corpus inscriptionum Latinarum, Latin Inscriptions, Roman Funerary Commemoration, and Roman Inscriptions
Research Interests: Catullus, Poem, Gallic War, Epic, Caesar, and 4 moreAnnales, Gallischer Krieg, Bellum Gallicum, and Furius Bibaculus
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An anthology (with introduction, text, translation, brief discussion, and epilogue) of the Latin inscriptions (ancient, medieval, and modern) on display in Reading (Berkshire, UK).
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An anthology (introduction, edition, translation, and notes) of the Carmina Epigraphica of Roman Britain.
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Edited volume; handbook on Roman Republican Verse Inscriptions.
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Annotated compilation of the evidence for early Roman didactic poetry, including a pamphlet on the nature and definition of the genre, challenging more traditional approaches.
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Full-scale introduction to Terence.
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Full-scale edition and commentary of the Latin verse inscriptions in the so-called Saturnian metre (including e. g. the Scipionic epitaphs).
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Translation & interpretation of Terence's Phormio for a wider audience.
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This review was supposed to be published with Sehepunkte. They did not accept it, however, as they were not flexible enough to accommodate an overlength review on their webpage. The review has thus remained unpublished.
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A rough and ready discussion of CIL VI 21562 = CLE 520 as potential evidence for PTSD and rampage killing/suicide-by-enemy-fire in the Roman Empire.
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Discussion of CIL XI 4634 cf. p. 1371 = CLE 1846 = ILCV 4812.
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A rough and ready discussion of Latin poems discussion traffic fatalities.
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A discussion of epigraphical evidence for Roman domestic violence.
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A quick discussion of Sammonicus, Liber medicinalis 931–9 (mentioning the phrase 'abracadabra') and principles of text layout.
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Discussion of a Latin verse inscription (epitaph) for a dog called Margarita (CIL VI 29896 cf. p. 3734 = CLE 1175).
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A discussion of select ancient Latin poems that, in one way or another, conceptualise the idea of human flight.
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A discussion of AE 1931.112 = CLE Zarker 48, arguing against the (demonstrably false) common view that this text provides evidence for the existence of epigraphic manuals in the Roman world.
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A discussion of evidence for nominative determinism ('nomen est omen') in Latin Verse Inscriptions.
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A discussion of CIL IX 4599 as potential evidence for solar/lunar eclipses and folk religion in the Roman world.
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Discussion of CIL VI 15493 cf. p. 3517. 3913 = CLE 1123 = ILS 7994.
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A discussion of monumental, inscribed curses in Latin epigraphy.
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A comment on the events in the Museum of Mosul, where IS fighters damaged and destroyed ancient artefacts.
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Discussion of CLE 38 (Communem nummum diuidendum censio est).
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A brief discussion of two Latin Inscriptions that mention the myth of Europa (RIB 2448.10 and the label on Pompeii's famous ship Europa).
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A collection of Latin Verse Inscriptions that relate to the issue of poverty in ancient Rome
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Discussion of a Latin Verse Inscription that mentions Saint Valentione.
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A discussion of Republican and Augustan poets mentioning seahorses
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A discussion of the Pythagorean/Early Christian idea of the human body as a prison-house or tomb, focusing on Plato's Gorgias, a selection of Carmina Latina Epigraphica, and William Cowper's poem Buried Above Ground.
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Discussion of Carmina Latina Epigraphica that refer to gloom and sadness in extreme terms.
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A discussion of Latin Verse Inscriptions (Carmina Latina Epigraphica) that conceptualise the death of children by their parents
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Considerations regarding recent narratives of rediscovered texts (Sappho; scrolls from Herculaneum's Villa dei Papiri), read against the opening of Dictys Cretensis' Ephemeris Belli Troiani,
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The limits of satire, according to Suetonius, Tacitus, and Kurt Tucholsky.
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Discussing the evidence for Roman new year cakes alongside the idea of 'edible texts'.
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A discussion of the etymology of divus/divinus and dives.
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Discussion of an inscription from Ammaedara-Haïdra, originally published by Benzina Ben Abdallah - Naddari (Afr. Rom. XIX p. 2118 ff.), in the light of its reference to multilingualism.
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This paper was given at the University of Rostock, Germany, on the occasion of a commemorative event for Prof. Werner Krenkel (1926-2015). It covers questions of the Roman satirist Lucilius, his satirical interventions against other,... more
This paper was given at the University of Rostock, Germany, on the occasion of a commemorative event for Prof. Werner Krenkel (1926-2015). It covers questions of the Roman satirist Lucilius, his satirical interventions against other, contemporary writers (Albucius and Accius), his libel proceedings against an unknown mime actor, and on satire, public insults, and freedom of speech in more general.
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Quintilian suggests that 'Of the lyric poets, Horace is almost the only one worth reading: he can be lofty sometimes, and yet he is also full of charm and grace, versatile in his figures, and felicitously daring in his choice of words. If... more
Quintilian suggests that 'Of the lyric poets, Horace is almost the only one worth reading: he can be lofty sometimes, and yet he is also full of charm and grace, versatile in his figures, and felicitously daring in his choice of words. If anyone is to be added, it will be Caesius Bassus, whom we had with us not long ago; but some living talents far surpass him' (Quint. inst. 10.1.96, transl. D.A.Russell). But what if Quintilian is not a neutral, objective source? Is it thinkable that the process of canonisation of Roman (and European) literary history could have worked our rather differently? The paradigm of the Roman lyric poet Laevius helps to establish a much clearer understanding of the normative force of canonisation processes, its randomness, and the destructive potential that these bring.