[lit-ideas] Re: Manilius, Astr. xx, 78c -- Was: Comet in the skies
- From: "Lawrence Helm" <lawrencehelm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2007 08:53:39 -0800
From the 9th:
"Manilius, a Roman poet, was the author of a poem in five books called
Astronomica. Nothing is recorded of the author; he is neither quoted nor
mentioned by any ancient writer. His very name is uncertain, but was
probably Marcus Manilius. From the work itself it may be gathered with much
probability that the writer lived under Augustus or Tiberius, and that he
was a citizen of and resident in Rome. He bears the name of a distinguished
plebeian family. His work is one of great learning; he had studied his
subject in the best writers, and generally represents the most advanced
views of the ancients on astronomy. It is, however, destitute of poetical
or literary merit. It is difficult to explain how a work of such learning
on a subject which was studied with such interest by the ancients should
have remained so neglected. Firmicus, who wrote in the time of Constantine,
has so many points of resemblance with the work of Manilius that he must
either have used him or have followed some work that Manilius also followed.
As Firmicus says that hardly any Roman except Caesar, Cicero, and Fronto had
treated the subject, it is probable that he did not know the work of
Manilius. The latest event referred to in the poem is the great defeat of 9
A.D."
From the 11th:
"Manilius, A Roman poet, author of a poem in five books called Astronomica.
The author is neither quoted nor mentioned by any ancient writer. Even his
name is uncertain, but it was probably Marcus Manilius; in the earlier MSS.
The author is anonymous, the later give Manilius, Manlius, Mallius. The
poem itself implies that the writer lived under Augustus or Tiberius, and
that he was a citizen of an resident in Rome. According to R. Bentley he
was an Asiatic Greek; according to F. Jacob an African. His work is one of
great learning; he had studied his subject in the best writers, and
generally represents the most advanced views of the ancients on astronomy
(or rather astrology). He frequently imitates Lucretius, whom he resembles
in earnestness and originality and in the power of enlivening the dry bones
of his subject. Although is diction presents some peculiarities, the style
is metrically correct. Firmicus, who wrote in the time of Constantine,
exhibitis so many points of resemblance with the work of Manilius that he
must either have used him or have followed some work that Manilius also
followed. As Firmicus says that hardly any Roman except Caesar, Cicero and
Fronto had treated this subject, it is probable that he did not know the
work of Manilius. The latest event referred to in the poem (i. 898) is the
great defeat of Varus by Arminius in the Teuto-burgiensis Saltus (A.D. 9).
The fifth book was not written till the reign of Tiberius; the work appears
to be incomplete, and was probably never published.
[The 11th has a bibliography. The 9th doesn't]
Lawrence
From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of David Ritchie
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 8:05 AM
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Manilius, Astr. xx, 78c -- Was: Comet in the skies
On Nov 7, 2007, at 7:17 AM, Jlsperanza@xxxxxxx wrote:
Incidentally, I wonder if Manilius, "Astronomica" (Loeb Classical Library)
(_I have to have it_) will be useful. I'm hoping it has all the
consellations in Greek in Latin as they knew them.
It's the only title on that subject in the Loeb Classical Library, I assume,
and hopefully it's just one volume.
Well you can buy a new copy at Abebooks.com for $21.10.
David Ritchie,
Portland, Oregon
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