Enniuss

Enniuss was a Roman poet and playwright of Greek origin, born in Rudiae, Calabria, in 239 BCE. He is considered one of the most important figures in early Roman literature, often referred to as the "father of Roman poetry." Enniuss's most significant work was the Annales, an epic poem that chronicled Roman history from the Trojan War to his own time. This ambitious undertaking, written in dactylic hexameter, became a foundational text for subsequent Roman poets, including Virgil.

Before his literary career, Enniuss served in the Roman army during the Second Punic War. His linguistic abilities, being trilingual in Greek, Latin, and Oscan, allowed him to bridge cultural divides and introduce new literary forms and meters to Latin poetry. He moved to Rome in the early 2nd century BCE, where he gained the patronage of prominent figures like Scipio Africanus. While his plays are largely lost, fragments suggest he wrote comedies and tragedies. Enniuss died in Rome around 169 BCE, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly shaped the development of Latin literature and Roman cultural identity. His influence extended for centuries, with later writers frequently quoting and adapting his verses.