History of Roman literature; with an introductory dissertation on the sources and formation of the Latin language

by Henry Thompson

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852 ...to attempt the language of a happier period. Prudentius evidently wrote more for pleasure and for duty than for fame; and his Latin may be considered a fair sample of the real state of the language at the time of the Gothic invasion. But this defect is abundantly compensated by a vein of the most fertile poetical enthusiasm, and his lyrics alone entitle him to honourable mention among Latin poets. Rutiiius. A conspicuous poetical writer of this age was Claudius RutiLius Numatianus, (or, as the name is given by Zumpt, Rutiiius Claudius Namatianus,) a native of Gaul, although of what place cannot be with certainty determined. His father was a man of rank, and Proconsul of Etruria. In the MSS. the letters V. C. are added to his name; by which is generally understood Viri Consularis; but as his name nowhere appears on the Fwiti, and the passages adduced from his work point rather to the office of Prafectw urbis, Wernsdorf supposes this abbreviation to signify Viri Clarmimi. Yet it is very possible that the passages alluded to led the transcriber into the belief that Rutiiius had been Consul. Certain it is that the poet enjoyed the office of Prtrfectm. The rest of his life is involved in considerable obscurity. His poem, called liinerarium, (or, according to Zumpt's edition, Carmen de reditu suo,) desoriptive of his journey to Gaul, was written in 417. There can be no doubt that he was a pagan when he composed this work; his manner of speaking of the monks might possibly, though improbably, be used by a Christian; but a Christian of that time would have been careful to separate their fanaticism from his 1 Aug. de Civ. Dei, v. 26. Paul. Oroa. vil 34. religion. His reflections on the Jews and their sabbath are equally convincing. Nevertheless, Wernsdorf entertains...

216 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2012

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