Obrázky na stránke
PDF
ePub

JUVENAL AND PERSIUS.

[blocks in formation]

14SEP 1967

LIBRARY

PREFACE

ΤΟ

JUVENAL.

DECIMUS JUNIUS JUVENAL was born at Aquinum, a town of the Volsci, a people of Latium: hence, from the place of his birth, he was called Aquinas. It is not certain whether he was the son, or foster-child, of a rich freedman. He had a learned education, and, in the time of Claudius Nero, pleaded causes with great reputation. About his middle age he applied himself to the study of Poetry; and, as he saw a daily increase of vice and folly, he addicted himself to writing Satire but, having said something (sat. vii. l. 88–92.) which was deemed a reflection on Paris the actor, a minion of Domitian's, he was banished into Egypt, at eighty years of age, under pretence of sending him as captain of a company of soldiers. This was looked upon as a sort of humourous punishment for what he had said, in making Paris the bestower of posts in the army.

:

8

However, Domitian dying soon after, Juvenal returned to Rome, and is said to have lived there to the times" of Nerva and Trajan. At last, worn out with old age, he expired in a fit of coughing.

He was a man of excellent morals, of an elegant taste and judgment, a fast friend to Virtue, and an irreconcilable enemy to Vice in every shape.

a Quanquam Octogenarius. MARSHALL, in Vit. Juv.

b Ibique ad Nervæ et Trajani tempora supervixisse dicitur. MARSHALL, ib.

[blocks in formation]
« PredošláPokračovať »