A Journey Through Roman Literature: Archaic to Late Period
1. Periods of Roman Literature
1.1. Sources
Roman literature emerged in the 3rd century BC with Livius Andronicus and Gnaeus Naevius. Andronicus translated Homer’s Odyssey into Latin, marking the beginning of Roman theatre. Naevius composed an epic poem about the Punic War, along with tragedies and comedies. Early prose writers focused on history, known as Annalists due to their method of recording events. These historians initially wrote in Greek. Two factors influenced the rise of Latin literature: the Roman conquest of Italy and increased contact with Hellenistic culture, which the Romans admired. Oral literature, including legends about Rome’s founding and monarchy, was recited in archaic Saturnian verse. Funeral orations, called Carmina (songs), praised the deceased’s deeds. Theatrical works persisted, incorporating popular forms like satirical fescennins, dialogues, and spicy Atellan fables.
1.2. Division into Periods
Roman literary history is divided into four periods:
- Archaic Period (3rd century BC)
- Classical Period (1st century BC – 2nd century AD)
- Post-Classical Period (1st-2nd century AD)
- Late Period (3rd-5th century AD)
1.4. Classical Period
First Period: End of the Republic
This Golden Age produced Rome’s most important classical authors. Known as the Ciceronian Period or Age of Caesar, it saw the flourishing of historiography and oratory, blending Hellenistic and Roman influences.
Terentius Varro wrote extensively on diverse subjects, including agriculture (De re rustica) and grammar (De lingua latina).
Marcus Tullius Cicero balanced politics and advocacy, composing speeches like In Verres and In Catilinam. Later, he focused on philosophical works: De re publica, De legibus, De Officiis, and De divinatione. He also cultivated the epistolary genre.
Julius Caesar, before his assassination, wrote poetry, grammar, and speeches. His most famous works are Commentarii de Bello Gallico and Commentarii de Bello Civili.
Lucretius Carus is known for his didactic poem De Rerum Natura, a six-book work written in hexameters.
Valerius Catullus led avant-garde poets who revitalized Latin poetry, compiling a diverse collection of poems.
Sallust, after serving as governor of Africa Nova, dedicated himself to historical writing, producing Bellum Iugurthinum and Bellum Catilinarium.
Second Period: Augustan Principate
Augustus’s reign transformed Roman politics. He promoted national pride and traditional values, patronizing young writers. This period marked a high point for Roman literature, with poets demonstrating mastery of literary techniques.
Virgil wrote the Eclogues (pastoral poems), the Georgics (a didactic poem celebrating rural life), and the Aeneid (an epic poem about the legendary origins of Rome).
Horace began with satire (Satires and Epodes) before achieving fame with his Odes. He also wrote Epistles, including Ars Poetica.
Livy, a skilled rhetorician and historian, compiled a comprehensive history of Rome, Ab Urbe Condita.
Ovid, exiled by Augustus, produced diverse works: Heroides (mythological letters), Metamorphoses (mythological poems), Fasti (explanations of Roman myths and legends), Ars Amatoria (erotic poems), and the sorrowful Tristia and Epistulae ex Ponto written during his exile.