The Roman Poets of the Republic, 3rd editionSellar, W. Y. (William Young)
History
The Roman Poets of the Republic, 3rd edition
Sellar, W. Y. (William Young)
Latin poetry -- History and criticism
it appears that some part of the journey was made on horseback, but
other lines[12] show that the latter part was made by water, and that
a severe storm was encountered on the voyage. In Book iv., imitated by
Horace (Sat. ii. 2), and by Persius in his third satire, was included
the discourse of Laelius against gluttony. In this book mention was
made of the sturgeon which gained notoriety for Gallonius[13]. Book v.
contained a letter to a friend of the poet, who had neglected to visit
him when ill. Book ix. was composed of a dissertation on questions of
grammar, orthography, and criticism. Book xi. treated of the wars in
Spain and Transalpine Gaul, and contained criticisms and anecdotes of
various public men. Book xvi. was named 'Collyra,' in honour of the
poet's mistress. In other books the castigation of particular vices
formed a prominent topic, and some of the latest (probably the
earliest in the order of composition), were largely filled with
personal explanations and with criticisms of the older poets. But the
desultory, discursive, self-communing character seems to have been
common to all of them; and it would be contrary to our evidence
to speak of any single book as composed on a definite plan, or as
treating of a special topic.
The fragments however, when read collectively, bring out the main
sources of interest which the Romans found in the writings of
Lucilius; first, the interest of a self-portraiture and close personal
relation established with the reader[14]: second, the interest of a
censorious criticism on politics, morals, and literature[15].
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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