{"product_id":"flattery-in-seneca-the-younger-martina-russo-9780192858115","title":"Flattery in Seneca the Younger: Theory \u0026 Practice","description":"\u003cem\u003eFlattery in Seneca the Younger\u003c\/em\u003e explores the discourse of flattery in Seneca's philosophical texts, and analyses the extent to which Seneca developed a theory of adulation. Martina Russo maps a phenomenology of flattery, tracing its external manifestations in Senecan philosophy. The personal practice of flattery displayed in the \u003cem\u003eAd Polybium\u003c\/em\u003e and in \u003cem\u003eDe clementia\u003c\/em\u003e along with the 'distant' \u003cem\u003eexempla\u003c\/em\u003e of flattery represented by Seneca, and with the theorization of adulation, indicates the range and the complexity of strategic flattery during the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Furthermore, it is argued that Seneca emerges not only as a practitioner of flattery but also as a theorist of it. While many writers tarnished their reputation by giving in to flattery, Seneca was among the few who not only accepted flattery but also advocated it as an essential tool in his own times. Nevertheless, in Seneca's philosophical prose, a constant tension emerges: whereas flattery is 'politically' acceptable as an instrument to cope with the absolute power embraced by the \u003cem\u003eprinceps\u003c\/em\u003e, the \u003cem\u003esapiens\u003c\/em\u003e (wise) and the \u003cem\u003eproficiens\u003c\/em\u003e (would-be wise) should be careful because flattery can seriously compromise their path to wisdom. By analysing the theory and practice of flattery, Russo discusses how passages permeated with the most blatant flattery can be read on a new level, by viewing Seneca's philosophical prose as an extended exercise in symbolic projection and figured speech. It becomes possible to disclose traces of political criticism behind the façade of the most flagrant flattery.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Martina Russo\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0192858114\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780192858115\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Oxford University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/24\/2024\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 288\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.30lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.10h x 6.00w x 0.90d","brand":"Martina Russo","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":46571004723455,"sku":"9780192858115","price":100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_3dd9fd9a-19dc-4aa8-92f3-4f7211e334c8.jpg?v=1738806990","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/flattery-in-seneca-the-younger-martina-russo-9780192858115","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}