Dynamics of Paratextuality in Late Antique Literature

Christian Guerra, Marco Formisano, Markus Kersten, Ann-Kathrin Stähle

<b>Through an examination of paratextuality in late antique literature, this collection of essays reconsiders the importance of the written material that appears in the margins of ancient poetic texts</b>. Paratexts such as headings, prefaces, letters <i>et al.</i> have largely been skimmed over or completely disregarded in favour of the main ancient work. However, there is now a new wave of scholarship that takes into consideration the reading of books in line with the different 'margins', or 'frames', and the structures (de-)constructed by them. A salient feature of late antique poetry is the presence of the paratextual. For example, the prefaces of Ausonius, Claudian, Avianus, Sidonius Apollinaris, and Venantius Fortunatus are studied in their own right by the contributors, who present new understandings and interpretations of the aims of these late antique writers. In keeping...