Boundaries and Religion in Propertius Book 4

Abstract

This thesis focuses on Propertius’ use of the imagery of physical boundaries in Book Four, specifically walls, doors, and gates. Propertius’ fourth book of poetry engages closely with the culture of his time, perhaps representing the change wrought on the republic through a changed form of poetry, and in exploring the intangible shifts through the tangible city which is around them all, and which is the epicenter of a new series of problems. Through the repeated imagery of boundaries destroyed, created, and manipulated, Propertius emphasizes how the powerful are those with the ability to manipulate boundaries. Although his examples of this power remain primarily in the realm of physical boundaries, the metaphor clearly extends to societal and religious divisions as well. I argue that the continuous appearance of boundaries is more than incidental but can be read as a commentary on Rome at this time. This project thus examines how physical and religious boundaries factor into Propertius’ reflections on Roman identity, reflections which seem especially focused on the changed meaning of “Roman” from antiquity to his time.