A particularly compelling moment identified in the book is Hannibal's final speech (17.605–15), where he seemingly acknowledges the Roman literary tradition that has constructed his identity. Availability and Further Reading
Silius’s portrayal is seen as the final evolution of centuries of Roman engagement with Hannibal in literature.
This work is part of a modern scholarly "revival" of Silius Italicus, whose 17-book epic Punica is the longest surviving Latin poem. Core Argument: Hannibal as an Icon of Romanitas The roman Hannibal: remembering the enemy in Si...
Stocks shows how Silius constructs Hannibal using literary models like Homer’s Achilles and Virgil’s Aeneas.
Stocks argues that Silius’s Hannibal is not just a foreign villain, but a "Romanized" figure who paradoxically exemplifies (Roman-ness). A particularly compelling moment identified in the book
He is celebrated for his tactical genius but demonized for supposed greed and cruelty, creating a complex "anti-hero" status. Key Themes Explored in the Scholarship
Other researchers, such as those published in the Journal of Ancient History and Social Sciences , highlight how Hannibal evokes the "tragic tyrants" of Seneca through his destructive emotions, such as ira (anger) and furor (fury). Core Argument: Hannibal as an Icon of Romanitas
A central "interesting paper" (or more precisely, a seminal book often discussed in academic circles) on this exact topic is by Claire Stocks (2014).