Terentianus
Encyclopedia
Terentianus, surnamed Maurus (a native of Mauretania
), Latin
grammarian and writer on prosody, flourished probably at the end of the 2nd century.
His references to Septimius Serenus and Alfius Avitus, who belonged to the school of "new poets" (poetae neoterici or novelli) of the reign of Hadrian
and later, seem to show that he was a near contemporary of those writers. He was the author of a treatise (incomplete) in four books (written chiefly in hexameter
s), on letters, syllables, feet and metres, of which considerable use was made by later writers on similar subjects. The most important part of it is that which deals with metres, based on the work of Caesius Bassus
, the friend of Persius.
By some authorities Terentianus has been identified with the prefect of Syene mentioned in Martial
(i. 86), which would make his date about a century earlier; others, again, who placed Petronius
at the end of the 3rd century (a date no longer held), assigned Terentianus to the same period, from his frequent references to that author.
Mauretania
Mauretania is a part of the historical Ancient Libyan land in North Africa. It corresponds to present day Morocco and a part of western Algeria...
), Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
grammarian and writer on prosody, flourished probably at the end of the 2nd century.
His references to Septimius Serenus and Alfius Avitus, who belonged to the school of "new poets" (poetae neoterici or novelli) of the reign of Hadrian
Hadrian
Hadrian , was Roman Emperor from 117 to 138. He is best known for building Hadrian's Wall, which marked the northern limit of Roman Britain. In Rome, he re-built the Pantheon and constructed the Temple of Venus and Roma. In addition to being emperor, Hadrian was a humanist and was philhellene in...
and later, seem to show that he was a near contemporary of those writers. He was the author of a treatise (incomplete) in four books (written chiefly in hexameter
Hexameter
Hexameter is a metrical line of verse consisting of six feet. It was the standard epic metre in classical Greek and Latin literature, such as in the Iliad and Aeneid. Its use in other genres of composition include Horace's satires, and Ovid's Metamorphoses. According to Greek mythology, hexameter...
s), on letters, syllables, feet and metres, of which considerable use was made by later writers on similar subjects. The most important part of it is that which deals with metres, based on the work of Caesius Bassus
Caesius Bassus
Caesius Bassus was a Roman lyric poet, who lived in the reign of Nero.He was the intimate friend of Persius, who dedicated his sixth satire to him, and whose works be edited . He is said to have lost his life in the eruption of Vesuvius . He had a great reputation as a poet; Quintilian Caesius...
, the friend of Persius.
By some authorities Terentianus has been identified with the prefect of Syene mentioned in Martial
Martial
Marcus Valerius Martialis , was a Latin poet from Hispania best known for his twelve books of Epigrams, published in Rome between AD 86 and 103, during the reigns of the emperors Domitian, Nerva and Trajan...
(i. 86), which would make his date about a century earlier; others, again, who placed Petronius
Petronius
Gaius Petronius Arbiter was a Roman courtier during the reign of Nero. He is generally believed to be the author of the Satyricon, a satirical novel believed to have been written during the Neronian age.-Life:...
at the end of the 3rd century (a date no longer held), assigned Terentianus to the same period, from his frequent references to that author.