Latin Literature - Ennius

UNITELMA SAPIENZA UNIVERSITY

• Course: Latin Literature

• Degree: LM in Classical Archaeology

• Instructor: Prof. Giorgio Piras

The Beginnings of Latin Literature

• Archaic Poetry: Ennius

  • Biographical References:

    • 239 BC: Date of birth in Rudiae (Apulia, Southern Italy).

    • 219-201 BC: Participated in the Second Punic War, joining the Roman Army.

    • 204 BC: Met Cato in Sardinia during the war and subsequently moved to Rome.

    • 184 BC: Received Roman citizenship.

    • 169 BC: Date of death.

Ennius’ Works

• Tragedies:

  • 20 cothurnatae (tragic plays) and 2 praetextae (historical tragedies).

• Comedies:

  • Only 2 titles preserved.

• The Annales:

  • Grand epic poem composed in hexameters, divided into 18 books.

• Minor Works:

  • Included saturae (satirical poems), epigrams, and celebratory and philosophical poetry.

Translating Greek Theatre: An Exemplary Case

• The Medea of Ennius:

  • Ennius' adaptation portrays Medea's turmoil over Jason's betrayal and the reference to the Argo's journey for the Golden Fleece.

  • Ennius, Medea (vv. 246-254) discusses the aftermath of the Argo's launch and Medea's emotional pain due to her fervent love.

• Comparison with Euripidean Model:

  • Euripides' version emphasizes Medea's lamentation over Jason and her heartache due to his actions (Euripides, Medea, vv. 1-8).

Obsession with the Macabre

• Thyestes’ Curse:

  • Ennius captures a vivid curse where Atreus is wished to perish cruelly, highlighting the dark themes in his works (Ennius, Thyestes, vv. 362-366).

Ethical Reflections

• Telamon's Epicureanism:

  • Ennius presents a perspective on the gods' indifference to humanity, questioning divine concern for human actions (Ennius, Telamo, vv. 316-318).

Tragic Style

• Lexical and Stylistical Refinement:

  • Ennius' Iphigenia reflects the complexity of emotions and moral dilemmas regarding guilt and innocence (Ennius, Iphigenia, vv. 225-227).

Ennius’ Annales: Exalting Roman Virtue

• Key Quote:

  • "Moribus antiquis res stat Romana virisque"

  • Suggests Roman values are rooted in ancient customs and the virtues of past men (Ennius, Annales, v. 500).

Literary Controversy

• Proem to the First Book:

  • Ennius declares the Muses and claims distinction in invoking poetic inspiration and recognizing his subject's significance (Ennius, Annales, vv. 1-6).

• Proem to the Seventh Book:

  • Ennius contrasts his work with earlier poetic traditions, emphasizing his boldness in articulation (Ennius, Annales, vv. 213-217).

UNITELMA SAPIENZA UNIVERSITY

Course: Latin Literature

Degree: LM in Classical Archaeology

Instructor: Prof. Giorgio Piras

The Beginnings of Latin Literature

Question: Who was Ennius and what are his biographical highlights?

Answer: Ennius was born in 239 BC in Rudiae (Apulia, Southern Italy) and participated in the Second Punic War from 219-201 BC as a part of the Roman Army. He met Cato in Sardinia during the war and then moved to Rome. He received Roman citizenship in 184 BC and died in 169 BC.

Question: What were Ennius’ significant works?

Answer: Ennius’ significant works include:

• Tragedies: 20 cothurnatae (tragic plays) and 2 praetextae (historical tragedies).

• Comedies: Only 2 titles preserved.

• The Annales: A grand epic poem composed in hexameters, divided into 18 books.

• Minor Works: Included saturae (satirical poems), epigrams, and celebratory and philosophical poetry.

Question: How did Ennius adapt Greek theatre, specifically in his version of Medea?

Answer: In Ennius' adaptation of Medea, he portrays Medea's turmoil over Jason's betrayal. He reflects on the aftermath of the Argo's launch and Medea's emotional pain due to her fervent love.

Question: How does Ennius' version of Medea compare to Euripides’?

Answer: Ennius emphasizes Medea's emotional turmoil, while Euripides' version focuses on her lamentation and heartache due to Jason's actions.

Question: What dark themes are present in Ennius’ works, as seen in Thyestes?

Answer: Ennius captures a vivid curse in Thyestes, where Atreus is wished to perish cruelly, illustrating the macabre elements prevalent in his works.

Question: What ethical reflections does Ennius offer in his writings?

Answer: In Telamon’s perspective, Ennius questions the gods' indifference to humanity and their concern for human actions.

Question: What is notable about the style of Ennius’ tragedies?

Answer: Ennius' Iphigenia demonstrates a refinement in lexical and stylistic elements, exploring complex emotions and moral dilemmas concerning guilt and innocence.

Question: What values does Ennius exalt in his Annales?

Answer: Key quote from Ennius suggests Roman values are rooted in ancient customs: "Moribus antiquis res stat Romana virisque" emphasizes the virtue of past men.

Question: How does Ennius confront literary traditions in his works?

Answer: In the Proem to the First Book, Ennius invokes the Muses, claiming poetic inspiration and significance; in the Proem to the Seventh Book, he contrasts his work with earlier traditions, highlighting his boldness in articulation.