Between Sound and Silence – The Sonic World of Calpurnius Siculus’ Eclogues

Abstract

The aim of the article is to analyze selected ways of sound presentation in Eclogues, written by Calpurnius Siculus, a Latin poet who lived and created in the time of Nero’s rule. Most attention will be drawn to songs performed by shepherds in their agons along with the sounds that are composed by surrounding nature, like rustling trees, murmuring streams and singing birds. What is more, an essential part is played by onomatopoeic effects realized by means of neatly chosen expressions. The correlation of accurate sounds has an impact on the sense of hearing and on the readers’ imagination, as they can be moved into the bosom of nature and almost ‘hear’ the sounds that accompany the scenes.