JOURNAL ARTICLE

Profaning Mars as Devictus in De Rerum Natura.

  • Published In: Philologus -- Zeitschrift für Antike Literatur und Ihre Rezeption, 2025, v. 169, n. 1. P. 57 1 of 3

  • Database: Humanities Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Pope, Michael 3 of 3

Abstract

This paper examines the term devictus ("totally defeated") in the opening verses of De Rerum Natura. The term carries the heavy baggage of violence and conquest that Rome visited upon its enemies and is most at home in patriotic slogans of victory. The basic argument of the study is that devictus is a highly charged descriptor and especially when applied to Mars. Lucretius, I contend, is tapping into and manipulating an existing discourse of victor and vanquished to recast the war god in an intentionally provocative manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:Philologus -- Zeitschrift für Antike Literatur und Ihre Rezeption. 2025/06, Vol. 169, Issue 1, p57
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:00317985
  • DOI:10.1515/phil-2024-0021
  • Accession Number:186455806
  • 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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