Reading Fear in Silius Italicus’Punica

Abstract

AbstractChapter 4 explores the representations of fear in the Punica in the construction of the Second Punic War as a ‘war on terror’ by both sides of the conflict. Although Hannibal is made to personify the tyranny of fear in the Roman psyche, this chapter argues that the true tyranny Rome must contend with is that of its own passions. It takes a very close look at how Silius utilizes the crisis in Roman leadership to test the limits of a positive use of metus hostilis (fear of the enemy) as a rallying call for state unity. It also discusses the cupido gloriae of Roman generals in the fostering of collective fear to manipulate public opinion for private political gain. Finally, it unravels the ways in which Silius uses his narrative to pinpoint the problems of the single man’s rule, as it looks ahead to the Principate.