Niebuhr's theory of a Ballad-Poetry 28 The Saturnian metre 29 Ritual Hymns 31 Prophetic verses 33 Fescennine verses 34 Saturae 36 Gnomic verses 37 Commemorative verses 37 Inferences as to their character 38 " from early state of the language 39 No public recognition of Poetry 40 Roman story result of tradition and reflection 41 Inferences from the nature of Roman religion 43 " from the character and pursuits of the people 44 Roman Poetry of Italian rather than Roman origin 45 FIRST PERIOD. FROM LIVIUS ANDRONICUS TO LUCILIUS. CHAPTER III. BEGINNING OF ROMAN LITERATURE. LIVIUS ANDRONICUS, CN. NAEVIUS, 240-202 B.C. Contact with Greece after capture of Tarentum 47 First period of Roman literature 49 Forms of Poetry during this period 50 Livius Andronicus 51 Cn. Naevius, his life 52 Dramas 55 Epic poem 57 Style 59 Conclusion 60 CHAPTER IV. Q. ENNIUS, 239-170 B.C., LIFE, TIMES, AND PERSONAL TRAITS. VARIOUS WORKS. GENIUS AND INTELLECT.