The reader cannot become acquainted with the enthusiastic admiration of the Romans for the brilliant performances of Ennius, better than by a perusal of some of the many and great encomiums passed on him by those who, though they lived after him, may be called his competitors for literary fame. Cicero calls him,
“Ingeniosus, poeta et auctor valde bonus.”—A man of great abilities and wit, and an admirable writer both of poetry and of prose. Horace also
“Ennius et sapiens, et fortis, et alter Homerus.”
Ennius the wise, and strong, another Homer.
Quintilian speaks of him thus, “Ennium sicut sacros vetustate lucos adoremus, in quibus grandia et antiqua robora jam non tantam speciem habent quam religionem.”—We revere Ennius, as we revere the groves, sacred for their antiquity, in which the great and ancient oaks are not reckoned precious for their beauty, but because they are consecrated to religious purposes.
Lucretius thus,
“Ennius————- primus amœno
Detulit ex Helicone perenni fronde coronam.”
Ennius first wore the never-fading crown,
Gain’d at the Muses’ seat, the pleasant Helicon.