Octauia: A play attributed to Seneca

Abstract

The historical tragedy Octavia focuses on Nero’s divorce from the princess Octavia, Claudius’ daughter by Valeria Messalina, and on the emperor’s subsequent marriage to Poppaea Sabina. This book includes a full-length introduction, a new edition of the text based on a fresh examination of the manuscripts, and a detailed commentary dealing with textual, linguistic, and literary points. Spanning three days in June AD 62, the tragic action of the play ends with Octavia’s deportation to the island of Pandateria, where she would be executed shortly afterwards.A critical edition of the text of the only extant example of praetextaFirst full commentary on the playIntroduction covering all significant topics relevant to the play, including its place in the post-classical dramatic tradition