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Ennius | |
|---|---|
 Double herm with the portrait of the Roman poets Virgil or Ennius | |
| Born | Quintus Ennius c. 239 BC Rudiae, Roman Republic |
| Died | c. 169 BC |
| Occupation | Poet |
| Genre | Epic poetry |
Quintus Ennius (Latin pronunciation: [ˈkᶣiːnt̪ʊs̺ ˈɛnːiʊs̺]; c. 239 – c. 169 BC) was a writer and poet who lived during the Roman Republic. He is often considered the father of Roman poetry. He was born in the small town of Rudiae,[1] located near modern Lecce (ancient Calabria, today Salento), a town founded by the Messapians, and could speak Greek as well as Latin and Oscan (his native language).[2] Although only fragments of his works survive, his influence in Latin literature was significant, particularly in his use of Greek literary models.
- ^ Smith (1852), p. 359. "Rudiae is celebrated as the birthplace of Ennius."
- ^ Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature. Springfield, Massachusetts: Merriam-Webster Inc. Publishers. 1995. p. 381. ISBN 0-87779-042-6.
Ennius was at home in three languages: Oscan, his native tongue; Greek, in which he was educated; and Latin, the language of the army with which he served in the Second Punic War.