Ad duo templa precor: Poetry, Astronomy, and the Authorial Persona in Manilius’ Astronomica, I

The contribution analyzes the construction of an authorial persona in the proem of the Astronomica, emphasizing the dual nature of the endeavor itself, as well as the intricacies of the poet’s position with respect to the subject matter of his song. The focus on the proem to Astronomica I allows for a more precise tracing of the techniques and devices employed to acquire the authority and credibility necessary for a didactic enterprise.