Introduction to classical Latin literature . It will serve as a reminder, Avhich may well be needed, thatthis is still the race and land of the Scipios, the Fabii, andthe Marcelli. VALERIUS FLACCUS Distinctly more readable, not wholly on account of itsrelative brevity, is Flaccuss, Argonautica, now extant,but not complete, in eight books. Of the authors life hardlyanything is known. In his opening verses he dedicates hispoem cleverly to the reigning Vespasian, who by his expe-dition to Britain has won a higher fame than Jasons foropening up alien seas. The emperors younger son Domi-tian had th
Introduction to classical Latin literature . It will serve as a reminder, Avhich may well be needed, thatthis is still the race and land of the Scipios, the Fabii, andthe Marcelli. VALERIUS FLACCUS Distinctly more readable, not wholly on account of itsrelative brevity, is Flaccuss, Argonautica, now extant,but not complete, in eight books. Of the authors life hardlyanything is known. In his opening verses he dedicates hispoem cleverly to the reigning Vespasian, who by his expe-dition to Britain has won a higher fame than Jasons foropening up alien seas. The emperors younger son Domi-tian had then poetic ambitions, and it is prophesied hathe will glorify in verse his brother Titus, who is even nowhurling firebrands at the walls of Jerusalem. This seemsto point clearly to 70 , while the later books, contain-ing repeated allusions to the eruption of Vesuvius, mustbe composed after 79. Quintilian, writing Quint. x.,i., 90. , , ^. , . about 90 , expresses regret over hisfriends recent death. Whether the poem was left unfin-. ROMAN SOLDIERS CARRYING THE GOLDEJS CANDLESTICK FROM THE TEMPLE AT JERUSALEM. Relief from tlio arch of Titus. THE EPIC POETRY 265 ished, or is merely mntilated in the MSS., is still breaks off at a critical pointy, when Medeas brother hasjust overtaken the fleeing Argonauts, and a sea-fight is inimmediate prospect. This work must be studied, if at all, in connection withthe Greek Argonautica of the Alexandrian poet Apol-lonios Rhodios, which had been rendered, apparently withfidelity, into Latin also. Though less graceful in the detailsof style, the Roman poet often imj)roves on his model inplot, succeeding, in particular, in giving to Jason far moreaction such as befits a commander and hero-in-chief. YetWilliam Morriss Life and Death of Jason may outliveboth the classic poems. A phrase of Homer, mentioningthe Argo, to all men familiar, gives us the impressionthat this subject was rather hackneyed even in his three poems her
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