Pharsalia; Dramatic Episodes of the Civil Wars

Lucans sole surviving masterpiece, De Bello Civili, more widely recognized as the Pharsalia, is an epic poem that delves into the fierce civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great. Named after the pivotal Battle of Pharsalus, which unfolded in 48 BC near the ancient city of Pharsalus in Thessaly, this work stands as a significant example of Roman Historic Epic. Unlike many of its contemporaries, divine intervention is notably absent from the narrative, and supernatural occurrences are few and far between. Lucans portrayal of the Civil War serves as a powerful expression of Neronian literature, garnering renewed scholarly interest in recent years. Sadly, the poem remains unfinished due to the untimely passing of its brilliant author. - Summary by Leni