The War with God
Theomachy in Roman Imperial Poetry
Pramit Chaudhuri
Reviews and Awards
"Chaudhuri's style is fluent and energetic, and he controls his diverse mass of material with assurance. He makes large claims for the wide ramifications of his theme, but he justifies them with his meticulous arguments, as he demonstrates how pervasively theomachy "chafes at the limit of the world-limits that are theological, to be sure, but also more broadly metaphysical, epistemological, and political" (p. 328)." --Denis Feeney, Mnemosyne
"Chaudhuri reveals theomachy as a key element of epic poetry from Homer onwards that eventually becomes the signature theme of Roman imperial epic. For authors like Statius, this changes the game: suddenly it becomes possible to understand what is distinctive and exciting about this poetry, and why authors like Milton found it so inspiring."--Joseph Farrell, University of Pennsylvania
"Chaudhuri offers powerful and subtle analyses of the philosophical, religious, and above all political work that is done by the theme of theomachy, conflict between a human and a god or a divine ruler, in the poetry of the early Roman empire."--Philip Hardie, University of Cambridge
"Pramit Chaudhuri's excellent book really puts theomachy on the map. It is very much worth reading even if you are not particularly interested in Roman imperial poetry. He has plenty to say about Greek poetry, religion and Roman history, too. It is also delightful to see a book in which Statius forms both starting point and climax...In sum, I have very much enjoyed reading and engaging with this book, and wish I had read it before writing some of my own recent work. In general Chaudhuri is fairly light touch with referencing, but well-targeted in his reading. The primary material takes priority, and this is how it should be. The book takes the theology of Roman poetry seriously, as well as successfully putting it in the context of Roman history and culture." --Helen Lovatt, Bryn Mawr Classical Review
