Basil Dufallo Libri

The book explores the intricate relationship between ancient Roman society and its treatment of the dead, highlighting how funerary practices and literature reflect cultural values. It examines the prominent role of the deceased in Roman life, from household masks to public funerals, and analyzes Latin literature from the first century BCE. This literature not only responds to but also shapes the evolving socio-political landscape during the pivotal transition from the Republic to the Empire, revealing the deep connections between death, memory, and societal change.

The first book-length treatment of artistic ecphrasis in Roman literature, The Captor's Image challenges pervasive views to argue for it as a site of subtle, ongoing competition between Greek and Roman cultures.