Fulvia and the cheeky rhetor (Suet. Rhet. 5)

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    Abstract

    This paper concerns the translation and interpretation of a succinct quip of Sextus Clodius, a rhetorician in Antony's entourage, on the subject of Fulvia's swollen cheek. The jest is often interpreted as having suggested that she tempted Clodius' pen, and various double meanings have been proposed. Contextualization may supply a key. The remark could mean that Fulvia seemed to be testing the point of her stylus, and the dark allusion might then be to reports of the manner in which Fulvia had allegedly mistreated the severed head of Cicero.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)928-932
    Number of pages5
    JournalThe Classical Quarterly
    Volume73
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2023

    Bibliographical note

    Copyright the Author(s) 2024. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

    Keywords

    • Antony
    • Cicero
    • Fulvia
    • Roman wit
    • rumour
    • Sextus Clodius

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