Latin literature in history
Latin literature in historyLatin Literature in History
Greek literature was one of the numerous Greek accomplishments from which Romans drew immense influence. The Romans picked up first on the Greek embrace of rhetoric, which became an educational standard, given that a man�s rhetoric, his ability to �push the buttons� of the subject audience by way of speeches, supplemented the man�s rise to political power. But as rhetoric began to diminish from Roman daily life following Rome�s imperialization, identical persuasive technique began to show itself in Roman literature. But Greek themes were just a backbone in Roman literature, and as time, progressed, Rome established a unique literary style, which, alongside Greek Literature, had a profound influence on the future History of Europe.
One important early innovator is Quintus Ennius. Called the father of Latin poetry, he wrote a number of comedies in Latin as well. In addition, Ennius adapted Greek dramas to the Roman stage, and published a historical epic on Rome from its beginnings to the present (=around 200 BC). His most notable successors, Pacuvius and Accius, would write tragedies that built on previously used Greek themes, but individualized them enough to call the works their own.
More is understood of early Roman comedy than of its drama, due to the amount of its existing copies. Two playwrights in particular dominated early Roman comedy, and those are Plautus and Terence. While Plautus thrived on a rough, slapstick, rowdy, crowd oriented style, Terence�s comedy was more refined and domestic. It was Terence�s works that most immediately affected the comedic posterity, forming a basis for much humor found in French and British plays of the 1600�s and for some modern humor as well.
The writings of Cicero are the most crucial pieces of documentation of that period (80BC-43BC) available. They take the form of letters, rhetoric volumes, orations, and philosophy. They provide not only a vivid account of the life of the ruling class, but his invaluable volumes of oratory and philosophy were the backbone of Mediaeval moral philosophy, also a major influence on the speeches of European leaders. The period of his writing is rightfully referred to as the �Age of Cicero�.
Numerous others contributing literature popularized Cicero�s age as well. The general Julius Caesar and Historian Sallust made important contributions to the circle. Caesar with detailed accounts of the Gallic and civil wars, and Sallust writing history as well, noted for brilliant descriptions of people and their motives. A new kind of writing called lyric poetry also sprung to life in this period.
The rule of the emperor Augustus marked the beginning of a new more comfortable, more peaceful era for the people known as the Pax Romana. This bright new lifestyle also brightened their way of viewing life, and is evident in much of the period�s flowering literature. Augustus also actively encouraged writers, and they loved him and the peace he had secured. Virgil,...
To view the complete essay, you be registered.