Lucans Bellum Ciuile has provided much difficulty for scholars in the identification of a hero, as none of the main characters of the epic, Caesar, Pompey, and Cato, fully embody the role of epic hero. I argue that a relatively minor character, Erichtho, the necromancer in book 6, is not only the hero, but also the supreme uates and, moreover, an avatar of the poet. The reader cannot help but compare the witch to not only Scaeva in book 6, but also to Vergils Aeneas. When Erichtho interacts with Sextus Pompeius at the end of book 6, she dominates and manipulates Magnus deplorable son...