The author of the Ilias Latina — a complex literary epitome likely composed during the Neronian time — represents Ajax Telamonius in a very peculiar way. The key passage concerning Ajax is the duel followed by a dialogue at lines 588–630: here, he is astonishingly presented as the son of Hesione, and therefore as Hector’s cousin (a detail which is found in the IL for the first time, and later imitated by Late Antique authors). Mostly every other passage recalls or anticipates this moment. The intratextual allusions highlight the kinship and indirectly invite readers to recognize the greatness of Hector, and therefore of the Romans. The Virgilian background is very strong and the new reading of line 626 proposed in this paper strengthens it even more. Being Achilles’ cousin as well, Ajax builds an important link between Trojans and Greeks. Moreover, the author of the epitome ‘translates’ Homer by choosing words and expressions charged with further literary meanings related to the future of the character, and particularly by intersecting very fine intertextual allusions to Vergil’s Aeneid and Ovid’s Armorum Iudicium (met. 13).
Hero, Antagonist and Cousin: Some Remarks on Telamonian Ajax in the Ilias Latina
maria jennifer falcone
2024-01-01
Abstract
The author of the Ilias Latina — a complex literary epitome likely composed during the Neronian time — represents Ajax Telamonius in a very peculiar way. The key passage concerning Ajax is the duel followed by a dialogue at lines 588–630: here, he is astonishingly presented as the son of Hesione, and therefore as Hector’s cousin (a detail which is found in the IL for the first time, and later imitated by Late Antique authors). Mostly every other passage recalls or anticipates this moment. The intratextual allusions highlight the kinship and indirectly invite readers to recognize the greatness of Hector, and therefore of the Romans. The Virgilian background is very strong and the new reading of line 626 proposed in this paper strengthens it even more. Being Achilles’ cousin as well, Ajax builds an important link between Trojans and Greeks. Moreover, the author of the epitome ‘translates’ Homer by choosing words and expressions charged with further literary meanings related to the future of the character, and particularly by intersecting very fine intertextual allusions to Vergil’s Aeneid and Ovid’s Armorum Iudicium (met. 13).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
