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Crispinus and Domitian: A Satirical Portrait of Corruption and Power

Juvenal's Satires delve into the immoral extravagance and corruption of Crispinus, likened to embattled emperor Domitian. Crispinus’s opulence, gluttony, and scandalous behavior mirror Domitian’s decadent rule. The narrative unfolds with a giant fish and the dangers posed by informers, leading to a satirical portrayal of Domitian's absurd council. The incompetent advisors and trivial discussions mock the emperor's oppressive reign, culminating in a dark and bloody downfall. Through vivid imagery and biting satire, Juvenal critiques the pervasive corruption and unchecked power in Roman society.

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Crispinus and Domitian: A Satirical Portrait of Corruption and Power

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  1. Juvenal: Satire 4

  2. Crispinus (ln 1-27) • Satire 1: “blob of Nilotic scum, bred in Canopus...” • Wholly immoral...and rich! • Enjoys luxurious property in the middle of the city • Adulterer and sex criminal in general • Ln 8: “a villain is never happy...”

  3. Crispinus (ctd) • Extravagant eating • Buys a fish for an outrageous price (ln 24-25) • Does not share the fish • “Purple-clad clown of the royal palace” (ln. 31) • Lit. scurra Palati • Palatine Hill, site of the imperial palace • Segue into a description of Domitian • Similarities between Domitian and Crispinus • Both are adulterous and gluttonous

  4. Crispinus (ctd) • Alleged affair with a Vestal Virgin • Description of the Vestal’s punishment (ln 10) • Is Crispinus punished?

  5. Bridge Passage (ln 28-72) • Domitian • Giant Fish • Delatores

  6. Domitian’s Reign (ln 34-38) • “last of the Flavian line” (ln 37) • Vespasian Titus  Domitian • “a bald-headed Nero” (ln 38) • Nero and Domitian had similar reigns • Damaged and subjugated world

  7. Giant Fish (ln 39-46) • Caught in Ancona • Juvenal’s description • Embellishment of the fish’s size • Fisherman • Brings the “monster” (monstrum) to the high priest (pontifex maximus), i.e. the emperor (ln 45-46)

  8. Informers-Delatores (ln 47-57) • ln 46-52: dangers posed by the delatores • delatores, a.k.a inquisitores • Spies or informers who discovered or invented conspiracies • Obviously not always truthful (ln 50-52)

  9. Informers-Delatores (ctd) • ln 48: “public inspectors of seaweed, scattered over the shore” • Image of a desolate beach full of snoops, looking through rubbish

  10. Domitian’s Council (ln 58-149) • Fisherman rushes to Alba • Site of Domitian’s villa • Fish is admitted • Senators look on in amazement; they are blocked out! • Example of flattery by the fisherman • Domitian’s chief advisory council is summoned • Why? –ln 72

  11. Domitian’s Council (ctd) • Members of the Council • Pegasus and Crispus (ln 78-93) • Examples of wasted potential in advisors • Pegasus: “Justice without her sword” ln 80-81 • Crispus’ old age • Acilius Glabrio • Forced to fight in the arena in Alba by Domitian, but is successful • Incurs the wrath of the emperor and is executed

  12. Domitian’s Council (ctd) • Montanus (the Stomach) • Cf. “the...litter of Matho...filled with himself” –Satire 1 • Crispinus, again • Perfume smells like a pair of “funerals” (funera) • Veiento • Flatterer and false prophet-figure (ln 123-129) • Parody of taking the auspices • Blind Catullus, not Catullus the poet! • “no one was more amazed at the turbot. Facing left, he praised it greatly...However, the creature was lying on the right” (ln 119-120)

  13. Domitian’s Council (ctd) • Domitian’s only words in the satire: “So what do you recommend? Cut in him pieces?” • Montanus has the final say • Ln 131-135

  14. Final Focus on Domitian • Council is dismissed • Ln 146-148: shows the triviality of the meeting and apprehension Domitian causes • “If only he had spent his entire reign on such silly matters...” • Domitian’s reign is cruel and bloody • While the aristocracy is too cowed to stand up to the emperor, the “workers” (cerdones) assassinate him • Final image of the satire: “hands stained with blood of the Lamiae” (ln 152)

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