Full citation – Référence complète:
Fratantuono, L. “Propertius’ last book. Composing an elegiac Aeneid”. Živa Antika / Antiquité Vivante 74.1-2 (2024), pp. 83–104.

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.47054/ZIVA24741-2083f

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Abstract. – Propertius’ fourth book of elegies presents an artfully arranged blend of poems, including celebrated works that attest to the poet’s aspi­ra­ti­on to don the mantle of Callimachus. Careful consideration of the corpus re­veals a pervasive engagement with Virgil’s Aeneid, particularly with the se­cond, Iliadic half of that epic. Propertius’ last book may be read as a com­­mentary on his predecessor’s achievement, indeed as its elegiac coun­ter­part. Exploration of Propertius’ treatment of issues of Trojan identity, ci­vil war, the perils of erotic passion, and the lore of the Danaids will de­mon­strate the elegist’s peculiar vision of the Augustan achievement, not least with respect to the harmony of the imperial family under Livia.
Key words. – Propertius, Virgil, Troy, Remus, Danaids, Cleopatra, Livia.