Poetry and technical exposition in Aetna, a Roman didactic poem

Abstract

In this article, we will discuss how the exposition of technical matters pertaining to vulcanology, as presented in the Roman work Aetna, is combined with some poetic devices that the anonymous author has skilfully resorted to. Hence, the careful planning of the proemium entices the public and facilitates access to the text, whereas the anthropomorphization of nature, the similes and the evocation of Mount Etna sounds included in the poem are procedures which enhance the understanding of the "scientific" theories set forth in the text and make the public acquainted with unfamiliar information.