An ancient example of literary blackmail
Date
2018
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch University, Department of Ancient Studies
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Towards the end of his life and especially after his exile in 58-57
BC, Cicero’s publication program accelerated. While he aimed to
promote his own glory, he had to do so in an environment where
writing about oneself attracted censure. This article explores some of
the ways in which Cicero tries to overcome this limitation. These
include writing about himself indirectly, defending artists in court,
soliciting historians to include his role as consul in their works and
even attempts at public literary blackmail, specifically towards his
prolific contemporary, Marcus Terentius Varro.
Description
CITATION: Coetzee, C. 2018. An ancient example of literary blackmail. Akroterion, 63:57-72, doi:10.7445/63-0-994.
The original publication is available at http://akroterion.journals.ac.za
The original publication is available at http://akroterion.journals.ac.za
Keywords
Cicero, Blackmail, Literature, Ancient
Citation
Coetzee, C. 2018. An ancient example of literary blackmail. Akroterion, 63:57-72, doi:10.7445/63-0-994