The expression Cerealis cena, used by Plautus in Men. 101 to indicate a ‘gargantuan banquet’, occurs only in this passage. On a stylistic level, this iunctura is fully in tune with Plautus’ verbal humour and seems to be an occasional creation rather than a common figure of speech. The expression, however, would be more meaningful, if considered as an allusion to the ieiunium Cereris, which was established in Rome in 191 BC. This possibility would also provide an element for dating the Menaechmi, whose chronology has always been difficult to determine.
Lucia Pasetti (2018). Le cene di Cerere (Plaut. Men. 101). Palermo : Palermo University Press.
Le cene di Cerere (Plaut. Men. 101)
Lucia Pasetti
2018
Abstract
The expression Cerealis cena, used by Plautus in Men. 101 to indicate a ‘gargantuan banquet’, occurs only in this passage. On a stylistic level, this iunctura is fully in tune with Plautus’ verbal humour and seems to be an occasional creation rather than a common figure of speech. The expression, however, would be more meaningful, if considered as an allusion to the ieiunium Cereris, which was established in Rome in 191 BC. This possibility would also provide an element for dating the Menaechmi, whose chronology has always been difficult to determine.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
