Imagined Romes

Imagined Romes: The Ancient City and Its Stories in Middle English Poetry, Volume 1, examines the diverse representations of ancient Rome within late Middle English poetry. This work of English literature and history and criticism explores the tension between Rome as the capital of a pagan empire and its later status as a center of Christian pilgrimage. The text analyzes how the city and its citizens are depicted across various poems, focusing on the intersection of imperial ruins and sacred shrines.

C. David Benson provides a detailed study of how poets like Chaucer, Gower, Langland, and Lydgate conceive of the city. This scholarly analysis of Middle English poetry focuses on the portrayal of Roman citizens, particularly women, and explains the significance of these depictions. By addressing a gap in the study of Rome in literature, this volume offers new perspectives on prominent medieval authors.