Tibullus, Messalla, and the spica: I 1.16; I 5.28; I 10.22, 67; II 1.4; II 5.84

Authors

  • Francis Cairns University of Leeds

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/emerita.1999.v67.i2.171

Abstract


Spica/spiceus is disproportionally prominent in Tibullus in comparison with his contemporaries, appearing in no less than six passages; moreover it is conceptually and contextually significant in all of them. This paper suggests that the prominence of spica/spiceus is due to Tibullus' patron Messalla being an Arval Brother: the principal badge of office of the Fratres Aruales, which they wore at some of their ceremonies, was a spicea corona - cf. Tibullus' corona/ spicea (I 1.16). Some residual problems are noted and some conclusions offered.

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Published

1999-12-30

How to Cite

Cairns, F. (1999). Tibullus, Messalla, and the spica: I 1.16; I 5.28; I 10.22, 67; II 1.4; II 5.84. Emerita, 67(2), 219–230. https://doi.org/10.3989/emerita.1999.v67.i2.171

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Section

Articles