CHAPTER IV

.

Q. ENNIUS, 239-170 B.C., LIFE, TIMES, AND PERSONAL TRAITS. VARIOUS WORKS. GENIUS AND INTELLECT.

Importance of Ennius 62 Notices of his life 63 Influences affecting his career 64 Italian birth-place 64 Greek education 65 Service in Roman army 66 Historical importance of his age 68 Intellectual character of his age 69 Personal traits 71 Description of himself in the Annals 72 Intimacy with Scipio 74 His enthusiastic temperament 75 Religious spirit and convictions 77 Miscellaneous works 78 Saturae 81 Dramas 83 Annals 87 Outline of the Poem 88 Idea by which it is animated 91 Artistic defects 93 Roman character of the work 94 Contrast with the Greek Epic 95 Contrast in its personages 95 Contrast in supernatural element 96 Oratory in the Annals 97 Description and imagery 99 Rhythm and diction 101 Chief literary characteristics of Ennius 105 Energy of conception 106 Patriotic and imaginative sentiment 109 Moral emotion 111 Practical understanding 113 Estimate in ancient times 115 Disparaging criticism of Niebuhr 117 Conclusion 118

##