Juvenalis

Decimus Junius Juvenalis, commonly known in English as Juvenal, was a Roman poet who lived from around 60 AD to 130 AD. He is primarily known for his sixteen satires written in dactylic hexameter. These poems offer a vivid and often scathing portrayal of Roman life in the late 1st and early 2nd centuries AD.

Juvenal's work is characterized by its biting wit, strong moral indignation, and often exaggerated depictions of the corruption, greed, and social ills he perceived in his society. He frequently contrasts an idealized past with a decadent present, lamenting the decline of traditional Roman virtues. His satire is directed at a wide range of targets, including the wealthy elite, social climbers, women, foreigners, and literary pretenders.

While the exact details of his life are scarce and often debated, it is generally believed that he came from an equestrian family and may have spent time in exile before returning to Rome. His satires were likely circulated in manuscript form during his lifetime and gained significant popularity in later centuries. His influence on subsequent satirical writers, particularly in the Western literary tradition, has been profound. Works like "The Vanity of Human Wishes" by Samuel Johnson are direct adaptations of Juvenal's themes. His most famous lines, such as "Mens sana in corpore sano" (a sound mind in a sound body) and "panem et circenses" (bread and circuses), have become enduring expressions in modern language.