Rutilius Namatianus' Going Home: De Reditu Suo (Routledge Later Latin Poetry)

Book Details:

• Publisher: Routledge

• Author: Martha Malamud

• Language: English

• Edition: 1st Edition

• ISBN: 9780815352709

• Pages: 92

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches

About the Book:

Martha Malamud's De Reditu Suo is the only scholarly English translation of this classic Latin poem, accompanied by insightful commentary that enriches the reader’s understanding of its historical, literary, cultural, and mythical references. Malamud’s extensive notes provide a detailed exploration of the poem's structure, diction, style, and literary allusions, making it a comprehensive resource for scholars and students alike.

The poem, De Reditu Suo, offers invaluable perspectives on the travel and communication networks of the fifth century, a time when the world was in flux and politically fragmented. Malamud’s substantial introductory essay situates the poem within several intellectual and literary traditions, demonstrating its connection to classical Latin poetry while highlighting the distinctive formal features of late antique literature.

Rutilius, the poet behind De Reditu Suo, expresses his deep devotion to Rome, his concerns for its disintegration, and his hopes for its restoration in the face of political and social upheaval. Malamud’s line-for-line translation preserves the nuances of the original Latin, while her scholarly approach ensures that the text is accessible to modern readers.

With its scholarly introduction, thorough notes, and comprehensive bibliography, this edition of De Reditu Suo is an essential resource for students and scholars in fields such as Classics, Comparative Literature, Religious Studies, Medieval Studies, and Ancient History. Additionally, it offers independent readers a rich and profound look into the literature of a turbulent period in history.