Quintus Ennius’ Literary Activities and the Roman State

Abstract

Quintus Ennius contributed greatly to the development of Latin literature. He is, however, often called a ‘client󰠏poet’. This coined word, reminiscent of a ‘flatterer󰠏poet’ of later Roman republic, does not match with Ennius in many points. Ennius maintained close relationships with many leading elites. He did not lodge in patron’s domus, living independently. Above all, he wrote his works not just to praise his patrons, but to defend the cause of Roman state. Latin literature started to develop in earnest in the middle of Roman republic. At that time, Roman republic was developing into Mediterranean empire and in the expanded world, the old leading Roman elites had to compete with new rivals to keep their hegemony. They wanted to make use of Latin literature to fortify their traditional authority agitated by new rivals. Ennius met their demand. Though Ennius praised in his works certain elites such as Scipio Africanus and Marcus Fulvius Nobilior, he did it for the cause of Roman state. Ennius’ major work, Annales, shows clearly this nationalistic feature of Latin literature in middle of Roman Republic.