Pieter van den Broek, Ph.D. (2021), University of Amsterdam, is a researcher of Latin poetry from the imperial period. He has published articles on Ovid, Silius Italicus, Statius, and Valerius Flaccus. He teaches classics at the Stedelijk Gymnasium Schiedam.

"V.d.B.’s monograph offers an excellent contribution to the literary exegesis of Silius Italicus’ Punica and a highly appropriate addition to the series The Language of Classical Literature. [...] This book is a splendid addition to Silian studies. It is suitable for a wide range of readers from the undergraduate level onwards. The clarity of its layout, helpful subheadings, detailed contents, bibliography, general index and index locorum, is enhanced by v.d.B.’s agreeably succinct and modestly magisterial style, very occasionally marred by linguistic inaccuracy and contorted spelling." - R Joy Littlewood, in: The Classical Review, 75.1 (2025) 152-154.

• AcknowledgementsAbbreviations of Editions and Reference WorksTexts and TranslationsIntroduction1 Embedded Narratives in the Punica2 Embedded Narratives and Their Functions3 Embedded Narratives and Tactics of Delay4 Embedded Narratives as mise en Abyme: The Example of Proteus5 Theory and Method6 Scope of This Study7 Relevance of This Study1 An Ambiguous Oracle from the Libyan Desert1 In the Footsteps of Alexander2 Synopsis of the Narrative3 Narratological Structure4 Intertextuality5 The Function of the Narrative in the Punica6 Conclusion2 Regulus: an Exemplary Hero?1 Introduction2 Synopsis of the Narrative3 Narratology4 Marus as a Host5 Exemplarity as Medicine?6 Learning from the Past?7 Marus’ First Narrative: The Fight with the Snake8 Marus’ Second Narrative: The Defeat of Regulus9 Conclusion3 A Peaceful Theoxeny amidst Hannibal’s Fury1 Introduction2 A New Beginning3 A Georgic World4 The Story of Falernus as an Ideal Theoxeny5 Lucanian Echoes6 Falernus Overcome by Bacchus7 Foaming Cups: Intra- and Intertextual Ramifications8 The Falernus Episode and Hannibal’s Downfall9 Bacchus as an Unstable Exemplar in the Punica10 Conclusion4 Anna and the Paradox of Cannae1 Introduction2 Juno’s Intervention in the War3 Anna and Juturna4 The Prooemium to the Narrative5 Dido’s Death6 Anna’s Stay at Cyrene7 Sea Storm and Arrival in Latium8 Anna Meets Aeneas9 First Narrative of Anna: Dido’s Demise10 Aeneas’ Narrative11 Anna’s Second Narrative12 Dido’s Final Words13 Anna Tries to Become Dido (but Fails)14 Reconciliation Prevented15 Anna Decides to Flee16 Anna’s Incitation of Hannibal17 Hannibal’s Response18 ConclusionConclusion1 Embedded Narratives as Reflections of the Whole2 Value of Combined Methodology3 Narrative of Bostar4 Narrative of Regulus5 Narrative of Falernus6 Narrative of Anna Perenna7 EnvoiBibliographyIndex