The Poet Lucan

The exploration of Lucan's epic on the Civil War highlights its fluctuating status through the ages, particularly its admiration in the 17th and 18th centuries and subsequent criticism compared to Virgil's Aeneid. This analysis delves into ancient rhetoric, examining how Lucan employed it in his work. It closely investigates four prevalent themes—tyranny, storms, the occult, and dreams—while situating the poem within the historical context of the Neronian era, offering insights into its literary and rhetorical significance.