CHAPTER III.

LIFE AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF VIRGIL. I. Sources of our knowledge of Virgil’s Life 93-99 Various sources of ancient literary biography 93 Direct personal statements of the authors 93 Indirect self-revelations in their works 94 Evidence of contemporaries 94 Works of ancient Grammarians, etc. 95 Remains of ancient art 95 Knowledge of Virgil derived from his works 95 Testimony of Horace 95 Biographies of Probus and Donatus 98 Their value as evidence of facts and character 98 II. Life of Virgil 99-121 His name and the year of his birth 99 His birth-place as affecting his genius 101 His birth-place as affecting his culture 103 " " " his political feeling 104 Characteristics of the class from which he sprang 105 His early years 107 His studies at Rome 109 His later life in his native district 113 Loss of his farm 115 Publication of the Eclogues and preparation of the Georgics 116 Testimonies of Horace as to his life during this time 117 The Georgics composed at Naples 119 His death and wish to destroy the Aeneid 120 III. Personal Characteristics 121-129 His recluse and studious life 122 His personal appearance and habits 123 Impression of his character derived from Horace 124 " " " from his own works 125 His indifference to political freedom 127 His devotion to his art 127