Venationes y poder en la Roma imperial: poesía panegírica y crítica

Abstract

This article presents through selected passages the role played in Imperial Poetry by the theme venatio within a panegyrical or satirical discourse. It will offer a brief definition as well as a summary of the historical development of the venationes, considered as official spectacles in the arena in which wild animals fought with each other or were chased. The difference between venatio and cynegetic in poetry will also be discussed. Hence, the political importance of these spectacles will be clarified. The aim is thus an exposition of how different authors deal with this phenomenon in a positive or negative way, and show how poetry that thematizes the venatio partly through philosophical concepts proves itself as a suitable medium for this kind of representation. Some passages from Calpurnius Siculus’ seventh ecloga, and Martial’s Liber spectaculorum will play a central role, as well as some epigrams from his liber primus, Statius’ Silva, 2, 5, and finally, some passage from Juvenal’s fourth and tenth Saturae.