What Was Literature Like in Ancient Rome?
The ancient Romans were well known for their great literature, as over time many of their works have influenced Western areas from America to Britain. Roman literature in the Ancient period was made up of many different types, such as poetry, plays, philosophy, and personal letters. Music, painting and sculpture also played a part in ancient Roman literature. Greek authors were hugely influential in their culture and the Latin language. Let’s explore how some of these different categories of literature developed during the period of Ancient Rome.
Poetry
Ancient Roman poetry was mostly written with metre and rhythm. Among the most famous Roman poets of the period were Catullus and Virgil. Catullus wrote passionate lyric poetry. His works feature themes of love and friendship, but also include poems of elegance, as well as poetry which is highly-charged with emotion. Virgil also wrote many inspiring works, such as the epic poem, ‘Aeneid’. In addition to these poets, Livius Andronicus and Horace also wrote verse in this era.
Plays
In the early Roman Republic, plays were often performed as part of religious ceremonies. Later, in the Roman Empire, improvised theatre was performed. During this period, the plays often featured characters from Greek and Roman mythology, with slapstick humour, sight gags and puns. Stock characters were also found in the plays, such as the ‘evil tyrant’ and the ‘galumphant hero’. Roman plays are said to have influenced the works of Shakespeare and other later dramatists.
Philosophy
Philosophy flourished in Rome between the first century BC and the first century AD, during the height of the Roman Empire. The famous Roman philosopher, Cicero, wrote extensively on the topic of politics, ethics and morality. He argued that the ultimate goal of life should be ‘obtaining honour and exercising virtue’. Other prominent philosophers of the time included Lucretius, Seneca and Marcus Aurelius. Today, many of their works are still held in great esteem.
Personal Letters
Personal letters were also an important form of Roman literature. As letters invited a greater degree of intimacy than other types of writing, the language used in the letters was often more candid. Letters were especially popular among the upper classes and the wealthy. They often contained accounts of day-to-day life and family issues, as well as news about politics and literature. These letters were often quite intimate and consequently were also an important source of information about the writers themselves.
Other Forms of Art
Roman literature was not just made up of the written word. Paintings and sculptures were often used to convey messages and emotions, as were music and dance. The Romans had their own form of art, which was known as ‘Campania art’, that was very distinctive from the style of art produced by other cultures in the period. This art was designed to appeal to the Roman people.
Imperial Literature
In the imperial period, literature was used to disseminate the official ideologies of the Roman Empire. Many of the emperors commissioned works of literature to promote their views. Although these works were’s often propagandistic, they still had a profound influence on Roman literature, as the works were of a high quality, often containing powerful messages that made them stand out from other works at the time.
Women in Roman Literature
Women played a major role in Roman literature during the imperial period, as they were strongly represented in both the written works and other forms of art. Women were often portrayed as virtuous and intelligent, and were presented as being capable of achieving success in many areas, with works such as Virgil’s epic poem ‘Aeneid’ featuring strong female characters. Although women may not have had the same socioeconomic and legal standing as men during this period, they were still held in high regard by many Roman authors.
Conclusion of Ancient Roman Literature
Ancient Roman literature was diverse and included works from many genres. Poetry, plays, philosophy and personal letters were all prominent in the period, as well as other forms of art such as music and sculpture. Roman literature had a great influence on the literature of later periods, particularly in the Western world. Women were also well represented in literature of the time, being depicted as intelligent and capable. Therefore, the literature of Ancient Rome still lives on today and its legacy can be seen everywhere.
Greek Influence on Ancient Roman Literature
Greek writers were hugely influential in Roman culture, and the Latin language was heavily influenced by their work. Homer’s epics, the ‘Iliad’ and the ‘Odyssey’ had a profound influence on Roman literature, as did the works of the playwright Sophocles, who wrote tragedies and satires. Even today, many of the words we use originate from the Greek language. This influx of new ideas, along with the strong groundwork of Roman education, created a flourishing period for literature in Ancient Rome.
Roman Literature Compared to Other Cultures at the Time
At the time, Roman literature was unique in its content and structure, and stood out from the literature of other cultures in the region. For example, the strict rules of metre and rhythm found in the Roman poetry was unlike anything seen in the Ancient Near East. In contrast, the plays of Ancient Greece were dynamic and contained strong messages, unlike the often comic Roman plays. In addition, personal letters were a popular form of literary expression in Rome, which was not seen in other cultures.
Importance of Literature in Ancient Rome
In Ancient Rome, literature was a way to express feelings and ideas, as well as entertain and educate. It often contained intricate messages, as well as moral values. Many of the works of literature in Ancient Rome have remained popular today, such as Virgil’s ‘Aeneid’. Therefore, Ancient Roman literature played a major role in the culture of the time and has had a lasting impact on the literature of later periods.
Legacy of Ancient Roman Literature
The legacy of Ancient Roman literature is still seen today, in both the written and visual arts. As previously mentioned, many of the works of Roman authors, such as Virgil’s ‘Aeneid’, have endured the test of time and continue to be widely read and appreciated today. In addition, many of their writings and artworks provide inspiration for modern works of literature and art, and the themes of their works often linger in today’s culture. Therefore, Ancient Roman literature has had an enduring influence on literature in the West and continues to be influential today.
