Quintus Ennius
Quintus Ennius
Quintus Enniuswas a writer during the period of the Roman Republic, and is often considered the father of Roman poetry. He was an Oscanfrom Calabria. Although only fragments of his works survive, his influence in Latin literature was significant, particularly in his use of Greek literary models...
NationalityRoman
ProfessionPoet
bath good taste
A little moralizing's good - a little: I like a taste, but not a bath of it
two soul two-souls
He who has two languages has two souls.
doe ifs
The victor is not victorious if the vanquished does not consider himself so
friends loyalty true-friend
A true friend is distinguished in the crisis of hazard and necessity; when the gallantry of his aid may show the worth of his soul and the loyalty of his heart.
can-do asks
Don't ask of your friends what you yourself can do.
deeds worthy daring
Here is he laid to whom for daring deed, nor friend nor foe could render worthy meed.
indulge-in bed influenza
I never indulge in rhyme or stanza Unless I'm in bed with the influenza.
latin father writing
To later Romans Ennius was the personification of the spirit of early Rome; by them he was called "The Father of Roman Poetry." We must remember how truly Greek he was in his point of view. He set the example for later Latin poetry by writing the first epic of Rome in Greek hexameter verses instead of in the old Saturnian verse. He made popular the doctrines of Euhemerus, and he was in general a champion of free thought and rationalism.
latin father greek
Ennius was the father of Roman poetry, because he first introduced into Latin the Greek manner and in particular the hexameter metre.
apes beast
The ape, vilest of beasts, how like to us.
funeral honor tears
Let no one pay me honor with tears, nor celebrate my funeral rites with weeping.
clean constant freedom hath
He hath freedom whoso beareth clean and constant heart within.