JOURNAL ARTICLE

Could Agrippina Be the Snake? An Interpretation of unam omnino anguem in Tac. Ann. 11.11.3.

  • Published In: Philologus -- Zeitschrift für Antike Literatur und Ihre Rezeption, 2024, v. 168, n. 1. P. 112 1 of 3

  • Database: Humanities Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Ctibor, Michal 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines a passage from Tacitus' Annales 11.11.3, which discusses a rumor that Nero was guarded by snakes in his bedroom. The author argues that the phrase "unam omnino anguem" should not be interpreted literally, but rather as a mocking reference to Nero's mother, Agrippina. The feminine gender of the word "anguis" is seen as significant, suggesting that a treacherous woman is being referred to. The author supports this interpretation by referencing accounts from Suetonius and Dio Cassius. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Philologus -- Zeitschrift für Antike Literatur und Ihre Rezeption. 2024/06, Vol. 168, Issue 1, p112
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Biography
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:00317985
  • DOI:10.1515/phil-2023-0011
  • Accession Number:177801690
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Philologus -- Zeitschrift für Antike Literatur und Ihre Rezeption is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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