Collected Fragments of Ennius

by Quintus Ennius

  Cp. Gell., II, 26, 11.

  440

  The indecisive battle at Phalanna?:

  Gellius: But on the other hand Ennius again in the eighteenth book of Annals writes —

  a tawny mist

  ‘fulva’ not ‘fulvo,’ not only because Homer says ἠέρα βαθεῖαν but, I think, because he believed the former sound a to be more musical and pleasant.

  Other Fragments of the Annals not assigned to any Book

  From Book VIII or IX?

  The six following fragments, to judge from the probable parallelisms in Virgil, come from a description of a sham naval fight or of a fleet in training; the racing ships are compared with racing chariots and horses. Cf. V., 87–8; H. A. Koch, Exercit. Crit., 11; Norden, 165–7. The scene may be the sham display by Scipio at New Carthage in 210 b.c. (Livy, XXVI, 51; Polyb., X, 20, 1, 6); or at Syracuse in 204 BC (Livy, XXIX, 22); or possibly the frs. describe the training of Scipio’s fleet in 205 (Livy, XXVIII, 45–6); or even the activities of the Spartan Nabis at Gytheion in 192 BC (Livy, XXXV, 25 ff.).

  441

  Festus 550, 22: ‘Termonem’ Ennius Graeca consuetudine dixit.. . —

  hortatore bono prius quam iam finibus termo

  Cp. Paul., 551, 2.

  Vergilius, Aen., V, 129–130, 139–141.

  441

  Festus: ‘Termo’ is, as used by Ennius, a Graecism... —

  ... a good prompter before the boundary-post at the limits was now....

  [Virgil describes a boat-race round a post set up by Aeneas.]

  442

  Isidorus, Orig., XIX, 1, 22: ‘Celoces’ quas Graeci κέλητας vocant, id est veloces biremes vel triremes agiles et ad ministerium classis aptae. Ennius —

  Labitur uncta carina per aequora cana celocis.

  Vergilius, Aen., V, 142–3.

  442

  Isidorus: ‘Celoces’ are what the Greeks call κέλητες, that is, swift biremes or triremes fitted for the service of a fleet. Ennius has —

  The cutter Smooth o’er the white o’ the waves on a keel very greasy she glided.

  [Virgil goes on to describe the racing ships.]

  443–4

  Schol. Bern., in Georg., I, 512 (Ut cum carceribus sese effudere quadrigae) ‘Carceribus,’ ianuis. Ennius ait —

  quom a carcere fusi currus cum sonitu magno permittere certant,

  443–4

  A scholiast, on Virgil’s ‘even as when teams of four pour out from the barriers’: ‘Barriers,’ doors. Ennius says —

  When pouring from the barriers the chariots with a mighty clatter strive to move headlong,

  445

  Charisius ap. G.L., I, 272, 22 K: Quemadmodum in navi auriga dici potest, ita et in curru gubernator, ut —

  quomque gubernator magna contorsit equos vi,

  Cp. Diomed., ap. G.L., VI, 457, 29 K: Quintil., VIII, 6, 9; Mar. Plot. Sac, ap. G.L., VI, 466, 29 K.

  Vergilius, Aen., V, 144–147; Hom., Od., XIII, 81 ff.

  445

  Charisius: As in the case of a ship we can speak of a driver, so in the same way we can speak of a steersman in the case of a chariot, for example —

  and when the steersman has turned his horses with a mighty pull,

  [Virgil likewise compares the racing ships to racing chariots, and imitates Homer.]

  446

  Festus, 394, 32: ‘Restat’ pro distat ait... . Ennium ponere cum is dicat —

  Impetus haud longe mediis regionibus restat.

  Cp. Paul., 395, 7.

  Vergilius, Aen., V, 218: illam fert impetus ipse volantem.

  446

  Festus: ‘Restat.’ Ennius is stated to use this word for ‘distat’ when he says —

  Its rush not far off keeps steady in the middle regions of the course.

  Virgil has: her own speed bears her flying on.

  447

  Festus, 550, 22: ‘Termonem’ Ennius Graeca consuetudine dixit... . —

  Ingenti vadit cursu qua redditus termo est.

  Cp. Paul., 551, 2.

  Vergilius, Aen., V, 241–243 (manu magna ex altero E. loco, fr. 541).

  447

  Festus: ‘Termo’ is, as used by Ennius, a Graecism... —

  with giant speed it goes along at the place where the boundary-post is set.

  448

  Cicero, de Nat. Deor., II, 2, 4: Illum vero et Iovem (invocant) et dominatorem rerum et omnia nutu regentem et, ut.. . Ennius —

  patrem divumque hominumque

  Cp. Cic., id., 25, 64.

  Il., V, 425, 1 al.: πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε.

  448

  Cicero: Yes, men call upon him not only as Jupiter but also as lord of the universe, and ruler of all things by his nod, and, as Ennius says —

  father of gods and men

  449

  Varro, L.L., V, 65: Ennius.. . eundem (sc. Iovem) appellans dicit —

  divumque hominumque pater rex

  Cp. Enn., Ann., 207–8.

  449

  Varro: Ennius... calling upon the same god, says —

  father and monarch of gods and men

  450–51

  Vergilius, Aen., I, 254–6:

  Olli subridens hominum sator atque deorum vultu, quo caelum tempestatesque serenat, oscula libavit natae.

  Servius, ad 254: ‘Subridens.’ Laetum ostendit Iovem et talem qualis esse solet cum facit serenum:.. . Servius auctus ad loc. Ennius —

  Iuppiter hic risit, tempestatesque serenae riserunt omnes risu Iovis omnipotentis.

  Homerus, Il., V, 426: ὣς φάτο, μείδησεν δὲ πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε.

  450–51

  Virgil says:

  The begetter of gods and men, with a gentle smile for her in his look, with which he calms the sky and the weather, gently kissed his daughter.

  Servius, on ‘subridens’: ‘With a gentle smile.’ He represents Jupiter as happy and such as he is wont to be when he brings calm weather.... An augmenter of Servius adds: Ennius has —

  Here Jupiter smiled, and with the almighty’s smile Smiled clear and calm all weathers.

  Homer says: So spake and smiled the father of men and gods.

  452–3

  Servius (auctus) ad Aen., I, 31: ‘Arcebat,’ prohibebat. Significat autem et continet. Ennius —

  qui fulmine claro omnia per sonitus arcet,

  Cp. Prob. (ad Verg. Ecl., VI, 31): Plane trinam esse mundi originem et Lucretius confitetur dicens... . ‘Omnia per sonitus arcet, terram mare caelum.’

  Cp. Lucret., VI, 400.

  452–3

  Servius (supplemented): ‘Arcebat,’ kept off. It means also ‘contains.’ Ennius —

  who with bright thunderbolt Encloses all things in a burst of sound,

  454

  Cicero, de Div., II, 39, 82: Ad nostri augurii consuetudinem dixit Ennius —

  Tum tonuit laevum bene tempestate serena.

  Cp. Varr., ap. Non., 408, 3; Vergil., Aen., IX, 627 de parte serena | intonuit laevum; II, 693.

  454

  Cicero: It was with reference to our system of augury that Ennius wrote —

  Then on the left, in weather clear and calm, He thundered a good omen.

  Affairs of State.

  455

  Priscianus, ap. G.L., II, 334, 19 K: ‘Celerissimus’ pro ‘celerrimus.’.. . E. in Annalibus —

  Exin per terras postquam celerissimus rumor

  455

  Priscianus: ‘Celerissimus’ for ‘celerrimus.’... Ennius in the Annals —

  ‘And then after most swiftest rumour had spread through the lands,

  456

  Serv., ad Aen., XII, 709: ‘Inter se coisse viros et cernere ferro’; vera et antiqua est haec lectio. Nam E. secutus est.. . —

  Olli cernebant magnis de rebus agentes.

  Cp. Lucret., V, 393: Magnis inter se de rebus cernere certant.

  456

  Servius, on Virgil’s ‘making decision wi
th the sword’: This reading is true Latin and has ancient testimony. For he followed Ennius... —

  Busied with great affairs they were making a decision.

  457

  Servius, ad Georg., II, 424:.. . ‘cum’ abundat... . Ennius —

  Effudit voces proprio cum pectore sancto;

  id est proprio pectore, nam ‘cum’ vacat.

  457

  Servius, on ‘cum vōmĕre’ in Virgil: ‘Cum’ is redundant... Ennius —

  With his own hallowed heart he poured forth speech;

  that is, ‘proprio pcctore,’ for ‘cum’ has no force here.

  458–9

  Charisius, ap. G.L., I, 201, 15 K: ‘In mundo’ pro ‘palam’ et ‘in expedito’ ac ‘cito.’.. . Ennius —

  ‘tibi vita seu mors in mundo est’

  458–9

  Charisius: ‘In mundo’ for ‘palam’ and ‘in expedito’ and ‘cito’... Ennius —

  ‘Whether it is life or death is now in readiness for you’

  460

  Servius (auctus) ad Aen., I, 69: ‘Incute vim ventis.’.. . Ennius —

  dictis Romanis incutit iram

  460

  Servius (supplemented), on ‘Strike strength into the winds’ in Virgil:... Ennius —

  By his words he struck wrath into the Romans

  461

  Cicero, ad Att., VI, 2, 8: Ain tandem, Attice, laudator integritatis et elegantiae nostrae —

  Ausus es hoc ex ore tuo.. .?

  inquit Ennius, ut equites Scaptio ad pecuniam cogendam darem, me rogare?

  461

  Cicero: You don’t say so, Atticus! You, who praised the nice honour of my conduct —

  ‘Durst you thus out of your own mouth...

  (says Ennius), ask me to give Scaptius some cavalry to collect his debts with?

  462

  Varro, L.L., VII, 12: ‘Tueri’ duo significat, unum ab aspectu.. . unde est Ennii.. . —

  ‘Quis pater aut cognatus volet vos contra tueri?

  462

  Varro: ‘Tueri’ has two meanings, one derived from the idea of looking at, whence comes Ennius’ use of it... —

  ‘What man, father or kinsman, will wish to look you all in the face?

  463

  Nonius, 230, 10: ‘Vultus’.. . neutro... . Ennius —

  ‘Aversabuntur semper vos vostraque vulta

  463

  Nonius: ‘Vultus’... in the neuter.... Ennius —

  ‘You and your faces will be ever turned away

  464–6

  Varro, L.L., VII, 103: Multa ab animalium vocibus tralata in homines.. . perspicua ut Ennii —

  animus quom pectore latrat

  ... minus aperta ut... . Enii a vitulo.. . eiusdem a bove —

  clamore bovantes

  eiusdem a leone —

  pausam fecere fremendi.

  Cp. Paul., ex Fest., 87, 9: ‘latrare’ Ennius pro poscere posuit. Homer., Od., XX, 13: κραδίη δέ οἱ ἔνδον ὑλάκτει, Il., II, 142: θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ὄρινεν. et al.; Verg., Aen., V, 363: animusque in pectore.

  464–6

  Varro: Many animal sounds have been used figuratively of human beings;... of quite clear cases there is, for example, Ennius’ —

  when his heart in his breast barks his wants

  ... and of less obvious cases there is for example...

  ... Ennius’ usage drawn from the calf... and the same poet’s usage drawn from the ox —

  clamorously mooing

  and also his usage drawn from the lion —

  they put a stop to their roaring.

  467

  Augustinus, De Civ. Dei, II, 21: Sicut etiam ipse Tullius non Scipionis nec cuiusquam alterius sed suo sermone loquens in principio quinti libri (de Re Publica) commemorato prius Ennii poetae versu quo dixerat —

  Moribus antiquis res stat Romana virisque.

  467

  Augustine: Just as Tully himself declared, speaking not in Scipio’s nor anyone else’s words but in his own person at the beginning of his fifth book (sc. On the Republic), having first quoted the line of Ennius where that poet had written —

  On manners and on men of good old time Stands firm the Roman State.

  468–9

  Varro, R.R., III, 1, 2: In hoc nunc denique est ut dici possit, non cum Ennius scripsit —

  Septingenti sunt paulo plus aut minus anni augusto augurio postquam incluta condita Roma est

  Cp. Suet., August., 7.

  468–9

  Varro: With regard to this matter, only now could it be said, and not when Ennius wrote, that —

  Seven hundred years it is, a little more or less, since renowned Rome was founded by august augury

  470

  Nonius, 197, 2: ‘Caelum’.. . masculino... . Ennius —

  Fortes Romani sunt tamquam caelus profundus

  Cp. Charis., ap. G.L., I, 72, 16 K; Vergil., Aen., I, 58: caelumque profundum.

  470

  Nonius: ‘Caelum’... in the masculine.... Ennius —

  Brave are the Romans as the sky’s profound

  471–2

  Porphyrio, ad Hor., S., I, 2, 37: ‘Audire est operae pretium procedere recte | qui moechis non vultis ut omni parte laborent.’ Urbane abutitur Ennianis versibus —

  ‘Audire est operae pretium procedere recte qui rem Romanam Latiumque augescere vultis.’

  Cp. Acr., ad loc.; Varr., ap. Non., 478, 16.

  471–2

  Porphyrio, on Horace’s words: ‘It’s worth your while, all you who wish no successful path for adulterers, to hear how they are burdened on all sides’: He wittily perverts lines of Ennius —

  ‘To hear is worth your while, all you who wish the Roman State to tread a successful path and Latium to increase.’

  473

  Servius, ad Aen., XI, 27: —

  quem non virtutis egentem,

  Ennii versus est.

  473

  Servius, on Virgil’s —

  whom, lacking not of valour,

  says: This is a line of Ennius.

  474

  Ekkehart, ad Oros., III, 9, 5 (Anno autem post hunc — sc. A.U.C. CCCCVIX — subsequenti): Ennius —

  quom nihil horridius unquam lex ulla iuberet.

  474

  Over a passage of Orosius, in a codex Sangallensis, mentioning the punishment of Minucia a vestal virgin in 343 BC, Ekkehart wrote: Ennius —

  since nothing more horrible did any law ever demand.

  475

  Nonius, 64, 29: ‘Propages’ est series et adfixio continuo vel longe ducta... . Ennius —

  nobis unde forent fructus vitaeque propagmen.

  Cp. Non., 221, 12.

  475

  Nonius: ‘Propages’ is a connected series drawn out without a break, or at great length.... Ennius —

  Whence there might be crops and prolonging of life for us.

  476

  Priscianus, ap. G.L., II, 470, 21 K: Proprie necatus ferro, nectus vero alia vi peremptus dicitur. Ennius —

  Hos pestis necuit, pars occidit illa duellis.

  476

  Priscianus: ‘Necatus’ is the proper term to use of a man killed by the sword, but ‘nectus’ of a man killed by some other violence. Ennius —

  Some a plague did kill; others of them fell in wars.

  War.

  477

  Cassiodorius, ap. G.L., VII, 207, 1 K: ‘Cum’ praepositio per c scribenda est, ‘quum’ adverbium temporis, quod significat ‘quando,’ per q scribendum est discretionis causa, ut apud Ennium —

  Cum legionibus quom proficiscitur induperator,

  477

  Cassiodorius: ‘Cum’ as a preposition must be written with a c; ‘quum’ as an adverb of time meaning ‘quando,’ with a q for the sake of distinction, for example in Ennius —

  When the commander sets forth with his hosts,

  478

  Nonius, 214, 7: ‘Metus’.. . feminino... . Ennius —

&
nbsp; Nec metus ulla tenet; freti virtute quiescunt.

  Cp. Fest., 402, 15 (... Ennius.. . ‘nulla metus’); Il., XI, 9: ἠνορέῃ πίσυνοι.

  478

  Nonius: ‘Metus’... in the feminine.... Ennius —

  Nor any fear holds them; trusting in their valiance, they rest.

  479

  Festus, 510, 17: ‘Sultis’ si vultis significat... . Ennius —

  ‘Pandite sultis genas et corde relinquite somnum.’

  Cp. Paul., ex F., 66, 37 (15): genas Ennius palpebras putat cum dicit... .

  479

  Festus: ‘Sultis’ means ‘si vultis’;... Ennius —

  ‘Open your eyelids, will you all, and let your brains leave sleep behind.’

  480

  ‘Lactantius’ ad Stat., Theb., VI, 27: ‘et cornu fugiebat somnus inani’.. . sic a pictoribus simulatur, ut liquidum somnum ex cornu super dormientes videatur effundere. Sic Ennius —

  Quom sese exsiccat somno Romana iuventus.

  480

  ‘Lactantius,’ on ‘And sleep fled away, his horn empty’ in Statius: Sleep is represented by painters so as to appear to pour out over slumberers liquid sleep from a horn. So Ennius has —

  When the young warriors of Rome dry themselves from sleep.

  481–2

  Nonius, 134, 29: ‘Latrocinari,’ militare mercede... . Ennius —

  ... fortunasque suas coepere latrones inter se memorare.

  481–2

  Nonius: ‘Latrocinari’ to serve as a soldier for pay.... Ennius —

  and the hired warriors began to talk among themselves of their fortunes

  483

  Nonius, 223, 33: ‘Sagum’.. . Masculini. Ennius —

  tergus igitur sagus pinguis opertat

  483

  Nonius: ‘Sagum’... Masculine form. Ennius —

  Therefore a thick cloak covers his back

  484

  Festus, 400, 29: Ennius.. . —

  unus Surus surum ferre.. . tamen defendere posset

  Suri autem sunt fustes, et ὑποκοριστικῶς surculi.

  Cp. Fest., 424, 7, Paul., ex F., 425, 1.

  484

  Festus: Ennius... —

  ... one Syrian to carry a stake, still he could defend,...

  ‘suri’ are stakes; the diminutive is ‘surculi.’

  485

  Vergilius, Aen., XI, 307: Nec victi possunt absistere ferro. Servius auctus: Ennius —

  Qui vicit non est victor nisi victus fatetur’

  Varro et ceteri invictos dicunt Troianos quia per insidias oppressi sunt.

  485