Juvenal

Juvenal (approx. AD 60–140) was the last important representative of Roman satire in verse. His influence on the genre has made a significant impact on our understanding of the satiric mode.
The introduction provides an overview regarding questions of a literary-theoretical as well as a socio-historic nature, which are quintessential for a comprehensive reading of Juvenal’s satires: the connection between author and narrator (persona theory), the no-longer-functioning relationship between client and patron, the behaviour of men and women of the social and political elite diverging from traditional gender roles, concepts of homosexuality etc.
Through exemplary interpretations Juvenal's 16 satires are presented individually showing their thematic range. Highlighting relevant milestones, the continuing impact of Juvenal’s satires throughout the centuries up to the present day will be outlined. The third satire dealing with the city of Rome is considered one of the best-known satires. Samuel Johnson freely adapted it in his London in the 18th century, and Durs Grünbein has done so again in our times, calling “Brother Juvenal” the first urban poet.

“The book exhibits the clear organization of the Olms Studienbücher Antike series, as well as its general accessibility; all Latin is translated into German, and aspects of the history and methodology of Classics are explained well. [.] It offers lucid engagement with some of the big, traditional questions about satire, clear explanations of points of philological interest, even coverage of all the Satires through both interpretive overviews and close readings, valuable discussion of transmission and reception, and a clear design that will make passages of interest easy to find.” (Catherine Keane, Latomus 79-2, 2020)