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O'HARA, J.J., True Names. Vergil and the Alexandrian Tradition of Etymological Wordplay. University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, 1996. XVII,320p. Original green cloth with dust wrps. Spine gilt titled. Nice copy. (Rare thus). 'The book is in two parts: an introduction which discusses the tradition of literary etymologizing before Virgil (emphasizing the Alexandrians somewhat to the disadvantage of Lucretius or Varro) and draws together the salient characteristics of Virgil's technique, and a fully annotated catalogue of all instances of the conceit which O'H. has been able to gather. (...) O'H.'s approach is sensibly undogmatic. (...) If O'H. avoids theoretical generalizations, his close readings are often compelling, and particularly when he discusses etymological material through which poetic succession is negotiated. His analyses of Aen. 2.411-19, where Vergil engages with an etymological play in Aratus (pp.4-6), and of Ovid's commentaries on Virgilian etymologizing (pp.95-102) are fascinating. (...) At pp.102-11 O'H. offers an intelligent discussion of 'the poetic function of Vergilian etymologizing.' His linkage here of etymology with the aetiological theme of the 'Georgics' and 'Aeneid' is particularly suggestive: Virgil is tracing the origins of the Latin language and the Roman people simultaneously. (...) O'H. has done Virgilian studies a considerable service with this very erudite piece of scholarship. He expresses the hope that 'it will have a place on the bookshelf of anyone trying to read, or write about Vergil' (p.VII). There is not doubt that it will.' (LLEWELYN MORGAN in The Classical Review (New Series), 1998, pp.228-29). From the library of Prof. Carl Deroux. € 195.00 (Antiquarian) ISBN: 9780472106608