Lucan was a daring poet who wrote about the conflict between Caesar and Pompey, challenging the Caesarean dynasty with his epic Pharsalia. This work marked a departure from traditional mythological narratives and embraced Roman history, focusing on human struggles and philosophical themes. Though criticized in later centuries for its style and perceived lack of taste, Lucan's epic was once celebrated for its vivid language and attempt to reconnect literature with reality.

Lucan’s Rebellion Against Tradition

Lucan's ambition was not limited to the themes of his epic, Pharsalia, but extended to its composition as well. While many Roman epics relied heavily on mythological elements, Lucan deliberately chose to reject these conventions, focusing instead on the raw and real aspects of human history. His distaste for mythology is evident in how he relegates legends to mere geographical appendices, often dismissing their truthfulness in favor of historical facts.

This decision reflects Lucan's preference for the grandeur of real historical figures over the fantastical allure of mythical heroes. By choosing historical human conflict as his theme, he set himself apart from predecessors like Vergil, who had explored ancient legends and fantastical narratives. Lucan's narrative is driven by the colossal struggle of historical figures, portrayed not through myth but through the lens of reality, emphasizing the human element in his storytelling.

The Epic of Pharsalia

Pharsalia stands as Lucan's only surviving work, with ten books chronicling the war between Caesar and Pompey in 49 BCE. Although incomplete, the epic spans over eight thousand hexameters, abruptly concluding with Caesar's military endeavors in Egypt. Despite modern critiques of Lucan's style as overwrought or lacking inspiration, his work was immensely popular in the Middle Ages and eighteenth century England, celebrated for its evocative language and attempt to rejuvenate Roman literature.

Lucan's choice of historical themes over mythological fantasy was a deliberate effort to bring literature closer to reality. He recognized that Roman literature could not sustain itself on mythical narratives alone. However, his attempt to substitute philosophy and science for divine and mythological machinery was met with mixed results. The philosophical segments often felt pompous, forced, and overly argumentative, while the scientific discussions seemed to bog down the narrative with unnecessary detail.

The essence of Pharsalia lies in the interplay between character and circumstance—a theme that imparts both interest and dignity to the epic. Lucan opens with a depiction of Emperor Nero as a quasi-divine figure, praising his reign despite the civil war's heavy toll. This initial stance evolves, with Lucan ultimately portraying Caesar as an unsympathetic figure driven by ambition and a thirst for power.

Narrative and Themes

Lucan's narrative begins with Caesar crossing the Alps, bringing his grand designs to the modest river Rubicon. This crossing marks the start of Caesar's campaign, with Lucan cleverly juxtaposing grand ambitions with humble beginnings. The absence of traditional epic deities is replaced by supernatural elements, such as omens and prophecies, which underscore the gravity of the unfolding events.

Philosophical musings, such as the Stoic contemplation of fate and divination, interweave with the narrative, exploring why humanity is allowed glimpses of future misfortune through omens. Lucan's Stoic beliefs permeate the text, particularly evident in his portrayal of Cato, who embodies virtue and the Stoic ideal of combining personal integrity with altruistic responsibility.

The narrative unfolds with Caesar's ventures in Spain, his siege of Massilia, and various military encounters. Lucan's portrayals of horrific battlefield deaths and gruesome scenes are balanced by moments of poetic introspection, such as Pompey's poignant farewell to Italy and the eerie atmosphere of the Druidic forest near Massilia.

Character Portrayals

Lucan crafts his characters with...