IDENTIDAD Y VOZ AU(C)TORIZADA: LA FUNCIONALIDAD DE LA CITA CICERONIANA DE LOS POETAE VETERES

Abstract

It is possible to find, through Cicero’s works, a great number of citations of the so-called “archaic authors” –as Naevius, Ennius-, which are the result of the Arpinate’s own readings. The objective of our article consists on pointing out their frequent appearances in important places of the Ciceronian production and on analizing its particular function within this context. Thus, our purpose is focused on establishing how the inclusion of somebody else´s voice in those texts allows to see a number of discursive strategies that collaborate in the construction of Cicero’s identity as an author. It’s possible, then, to prove that his appropriation and manipulation of the sources -acquired through his readings- tend to be similar to those applied to the construction of his political imago. Authorized through tradition, Cicero himself becomes an auctor and a privilege interpreter of the Roman history by means of his poetic work. Therefore, we contemplate a twofold intention in quoting these old texts: the auctoritas that comes from their place in tradition and the relationship that Cicero establishes with them on a poetic level, association that acts as a guarantee in order to enable him to place himself as their follower and the next link in the chain towards poetic perfection.