Nullum... sine nomine saxum. Lucano e le 'rovine' della storia

Abstract

The paper analyzes the well-known episode of Caesar visiting the ruins of troy (Luc. 9,9 50-999), focusing in particular on the poet’s desecrating voice, a voice against the Virgilian interpretation of history. Through Caesar’s gestures, words and prayers, Lucan expresses a critical judgment of his actions and of those who, among his successors, first of all Augustus, had advanced the project of a glorious re-founding of Troy. A project destined to be blatantly denied by history.