A Roman Life

“Henderson brilliantly capitalises on the survival of both an inscription and a poem (Statius, Silvae 1. 4) about the high-ranking Rutilius Gallicus, the emperor Domitian’s urban prefect.  With this rare collusion of epigraphical and literary criticism he takes us on a dazzling excursion through Roman social and cultural history and imperial politics and poetics.  The book also draws attention to the importance of Statius’ Silvae as significant lyrical and cultural productions of Domitian’s reign.” –Professor Carole Newlands, Department of Classics, University of Wisconsin-Madison

“Some will feel that Henderson at times reads too much into the poem, but the reader of  Statius must be sensitive to a variety of levels of subtlety. . . The notes themselves provide a full accounting of the intertextual references that abound in any Statian poem.  All Latin is translated in a style that is true to Statius’ mixture of wit and hyperbole.  It would not be Henderson without some neat wordplay.  My favourite?  Commenting on Statius account of Gallicus’ cure at the hands of Apollo and Aesculapius, Henderson writes, ‘Not dead, just Asclepe!’” –Classical Review. Vol 50, no 1. 2000

“Henderson's analysis of the poem is excellent. There are the perceptive linguistic, stylistic and poetic analyses one associates with his work. In addition, there is an in-depth study of the mechanisms of the mythology of the piece, with illuminating comments on the concept of prayer in the work. We are warned that he might be writing 'skittishly' (p.16): this is a danger for the unwary and the pedestrian. But for the attentive reader the book sparkles with Donne-like or metaphysical conceits, helping to pin Statius' verbal dexterity down. And comparisons drawn from other poets, such as Horace on Maecenas, support what is deduced about Gallicus' relationship with Domitian.” –Scholia 8, 1999

“ . . . like Statius' poem, erudite and entertaining, a salon piece.” –JACT Review, Autumn 1998