Quintus Ennius Biography

Occup.	Poet
From	Rome
Born	239 BC Rome, Italy
Died	169 BC Rome, Italy

Early Life
Quintus Ennius was born around 239 BC in Rudiae, a small town situated in modern-day southern Italy. Although some scholars dispute his specific place of birth, there is no doubt that his native language was Oscan, an ancient Italic language spoken mostly in southern Italy. He, nevertheless, mastered Latin and Greek languages at a young age, which assisted him in his profession as a poet.

Military Career
Ennius served in the Roman army in Sardinia as part of his mandatory military service. In 204 BC, he caught the attention of distinguished basic and statesman, Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus, who was impressed by Ennius' literary skill and linguistic abilities. As a result, Maximus brought Ennius to Rome, where he began to make a name for himself as an author and poet.

Life in Rome
Upon his arrival in Rome, Ennius became acquainted with a few of its most popular figures, including the political leader and playwright, Gaius Titus Titinius Maccius Plautus, and the basic and statesman, Marcus Porcius Cato, who was known for his conservative views on Roman culture and language.

Ennius acquired citizenship in 184 BC, which allowed him to have a greater influence on Roman cultural life. His large understanding of Greek literature and language permitted him to present new ideas and designs into Latin literature. He became a master of different literary categories, consisting of catastrophe, epic poetry, and satire.

Literary Contributions
Ennius is best understood for his legendary poem, "Annales", which recounts the history of Rome from its famous founding by Aeneas until the close of the Second Punic War. The poem is written in dactylic hexameter - a poetic meter used regularly in both Greek and Latin impressive poetry. Ennius' use of this meter laid the structure for later Roman epic poets, such as Virgil and Ovid.

Another important work by Ennius is the lost play "Alcágenes", which was a catastrophe based on the story of Alcmaeon, a hero in Greek folklore who looked for vengeance for his father's death. Although the play's content is no longer readily available, it is said that it marked a significant departure from the standard Roman tragedy at the time.

Ennius was likewise known for his satires, which were critical of Roman society and culture. A number of these satires, like his other works, have likewise been lost, however their influence was felt by later Roman authors such as Horace and Juvenal.

Legacy
Quintus Ennius passed away around 169 BC, leaving a long lasting influence on Roman literature. He was thought about a pione

er in the intro of Greek aspects into Latin literature, which would become a defining characteristic of Roman literature during the Golden Age of the Augustan Era.

Although the majority of Ennius' works have actually been lost, his enduring pieces and the works of later authors motivated by him, such as Virgil and Ovid, continue to be studied and admired by scholars and literary enthusiasts alike.

In conclusion, Quintus Ennius stands as a considerable figure in the history of Roman literature. He contributed tremendously to the advancement of Latin poetry and played an important function in shaping Roman culture and intellectual life. Regardless of the loss of much of his work, Ennius' impact still resonates in the world of literature, reflecting the long-lasting impact of his genius.

Our collection contains 8 quotes who is written / told by Quintus, under the main topic Death.

Related authors: Virgil (Writer), Horace (Poet), Plautus (Playwright), Titus (Statesman), Juvenal (Poet), Marcus Porcius Cato (Politician), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)

Quintus Ennius Famous Works: