Mythology of Roman history and rhetorical politicization in the Collectanea of Gaius Iulius Solinus

Abstract

Gaius Iulius Solinus (3rd cent. AD) is the author of an excellent compilation written in Latin, Collectanea rerum memorabilium, in which all the inhabited world known at that time is depicted in all its diversity. In peripleutic description Solinus mentally traverses three continents, starting from Italy and following the route of Pliny the Elder (1st cent. AD). It would seem that we have here yet another traditional ancient geographical work. However, Solinus prefaces his description of the inhabited world with an excursus on the history of Rome, from its mythological origin and up to the Principate of Augustus (I.1-52). Such arrangement of the material is not found in other ancient geographical works and thus violates traditional models. This passage seems to demonstrate the specifics of the cultural memory and historical situation in the 3rd century AD, considering that the geographical and political priority of Rome is so clearly emphasized here. My paper analyzes the content of the passage (I.1-52) and argues for a conclusion about the political and geographical image of the Eternal City as the world capital in Solinus’ work and in his time: Rome first was the head of Latium, then of Italy, and finally of the whole world.