Metapoetic Pseudonyms in Horace, Propertius and Ovid

Heslin, Peter

Abstract

Two poets addressed by Propertius in his first book are in fact pseudonyms. Ponticus was formed on the model of Horace's Alpinus to designate someone who embodies the antithesis of the poet's Callimachean sensibilities. Bassus is none other than Horace himself, who was then in the course of writing iambics. In the eleventh epode, Horace responded in kind by creating the pseudonyms Pettius, Lyciscus and Inachia, all of which derive from aspects of Propertius' first book. This exchange between Horace and Propertius has echoes in their later work. We conclude by examining why Ovid seems to treat Ponticus and Bassus as real poets in the Tristia.

Citation

Heslin, P. (2011). Metapoetic Pseudonyms in Horace, Propertius and Ovid. The Journal of Roman Studies, 101, 51-72. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0075435811000062

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2011
• Deposit Date: Apr 24, 2012
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 12, 2012
• Journal: Journal of Roman Studies
• Print ISSN: 0075-4358
• Electronic ISSN: 1753-528X
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 101
• Pages: 51-72
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/s0075435811000062
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1476650