Summary
Tiberianus was a late Latin writer and poet, surviving only in fragments, who experimented with various metrical schemes.
He is a possible candidate for the authorship of the Pervigilium Veneris.[1]
Identity edit
Tiberianus has traditionally been identified with Annius Tiberianus, the "eloquent" [disertus] governor of Gaul in 336 AD mentioned by Jerome.[1]
An earlier candidate is however the prefect of Rome 303–4, Iunius Tiberianus.[2]
Known poems edit
Four poems (and a fragmentary fifth on a sunset) are known to have been written by Tiberianus:[3] Spring Day [Amnis ibat]; an attack on the power of gold; a hymn; and a description of a dying bird.[4]
Other writings edit
- Fabius Planciades Fulgentius attributed to Tiberianus the writing of prosimetra, dialogues in verse and prose (from which the extant poems may have been taken).[5]
- E. Baehrens in the 19th century suggested Tiberianus as the author of the Pervigilium Veneris,[1] something metrical parallels with Amnis ibat would seem to support.[6] Alan Cameron in the 20th century strengthened the case for his authorship through thematic and vocabulary parallels.[7]
Influences edit
Tiberianus was influenced by Silver Age poets such as Ovid and Statius, and also by Titus Calpurnius Siculus, as well as by the prose of Apuleius.[3]
Read and quoted by Fulgentius and Augustine,[8] his metrical experiments may also have influenced such Christian poets as Hilary of Poitiers and Prudentius.[9]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c H J Rose, A Handbook of Latin Literature (London 1967) p.527
- ^ A Cameron, Studies in Late Roman Literature and History (Bari 2016) p. 16
- ^ a b A Cameron, Studies in Late Roman Literature and History (Bari 2016) p. 14
- ^ E Kenney ed., The Cambridge History of Classical Literature (Cambridge 1983) p. 14
- ^ A Cameron, Studies in Late Roman Literature and History (Bari 2016) p. 15
- ^ Helen Waddell, The Wandering Scholars (Fontana 1968) p. 42
- ^ A Cameron, Studies in Late Roman Literature and History (Bari 2016) p. 14–18
- ^ A Cameron, Studies in Late Roman Literature and History (Bari 2016) p. 15-6
- ^ A Cameron, Studies in Late Roman Literature and History (Bari 2016) p. 21
Further reading edit
- E Courtney, The Fragmentary Roman Poets (1993)
External links edit
- "Catullus. Tibullus. Pervigilium Veneris"