Women Speaking Prophecy in Lucan's Civil War: An Ecofeminist Analysis

Abstract

Through the lens of trans-corporeality, a theoretical approach associated with ecofeminism, this paper examines the depiction of women's prophetic visions and voices in Lucan's Bellum Civile. Analysis of a Roman matrona, the Pythia of Delphi, and the Thessalian magos Erictho demonstrates the significance of women's agency within the civil war narrative and highlights how Lucan framed greater female agency as a more significant threat to established civic and cosmic order.