Masterpieces of Latin Literature; Terence - Lucretius: Catullus: Virgil: Horace: Tibullus: Propertius: Ovid: Petronius: Martial: Juvenal: Cicero: Caesa (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 edition. Excerpt: ... VIRGIL BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH While in true poetic inspiration Virgil does not rank., with Lucretius or Catullus, yet in his larger conception of the poet's function, in his more artistic handling of his themes, and in his mastery of technique he is far superior to them. He is a product of the Augustan age, with its more settled political and social atmosphere, its wider culture, and its higher ideals of literary art. We miss, it is true, the individual note that marks the work of some of the earlier poets, but in its place is something of fuller volume, an essentially national tone, emanating from one who was possessed with the idea of his country's greatness. In his Georgics he sings the praise of Italian agriculture; his Aeneid is a glorification of the Roman race. He was born in Mantua in 70 B. C. His parents were plebeians, but sufficiently prosperous to give their son a good education. He received his first training at Cremona, went afterwards to Naples, and finally to Rome. How long he remained at the capital on this occasion is not certain, but we know from the Eclogues that he was in his native place during the troubles caused by the confiscation of lands in northern Italy for the benefit of the veterans of Octavian 1 after the battle of Philippi in 42 B. C. The soldiers, not satisfied with the lands which had been assigned to them around Cremona, proceeded to seize those near Mantua; and it was only through the protection afforded him by Asinius Pollio, the legate in the district, and afterwards 1 Afterwards the Emperor Augustus. by the intervention of Octavian himself, that the poet was secured 4n the possession of his farm. From this time on he enjoyed the patronage of Maecenas and Octavian, liv. ing for the most part either at...