Studies in the Poetry of Italy, Part I. Roman

"Studies in the Poetry of Italy, Part I: Roman" by Frank Justus Miller is a detailed look at Roman poetry, written in the early 1900s, that explores the main types of Roman poems, like those for plays, funny poems, and long, adventurous stories, and how they changed over time. The book looks closely at important writers such as Ennius, Vergil, and Seneca, showing how they helped shape Roman poetry. Miller starts by explaining the historical situation that helped Roman writing grow, especially how Greek culture affected Roman poetry’s development. He talks about how Roman writing appeared alongside big changes in Roman society, like the start of the Republic and later when they conquered other lands, which gave more chances for writers to express themselves. This sets the scene for a closer look at important people in Roman poetry, pointing out how their work shows the exciting historical and cultural changes of their time.