Statius’ Argonautic Background
Paolo Asso
Abstract
As a study of Statius’ Argonautic background, this article samples Argonautic elements from Statius’ works to show how popular the Argo myth was not only as a subject of literary treatments of the myth itself but also as an influential model for a long poetic tradition. With its complex intertextual readings of Virgil and other predecessors, Hypsipyle’s Argonautic narrative of the Lemnian women in Thebaid 5 provides an authorial mirror of, and offers a commentary on, the models for the Thebaid. Furthermore, the seer Amphiaraus in Thebaid 3 and the rhapsodist Achilles, who performs with the lyre in Achilleid 1, possess a special kind of technical knowledge that recalls the poet’s background. Finally, in the Silvae, the use of myth as an instrument of praise and consolation allows us a glimpse into the poet’s literary education.