The Satires

by Persius

The Satires contain six Latin poems of moderate length in the hexameter metre. Persius belonged to the well-to-do and landowning gentry of Italy and the tone and philosophical content of the Satires suggest that he pursued philosophy with an ardour beyond that conventionally thought proper by Romans.

Genres: Poetry, Literature, Classics, Satire, Ancient, Roman, Ancient History

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 50

About the author

Aulus Persius Flaccus seu brevi Persius, poëta Romanus, natus est die 4 Decembris anno 34 Volaterris, in oppido Etruriae. Duodecim aut tredecim annos natus Romam missus est ut in litterarum studium incumberet, ibique Annaeo Cornuto philosopho Stoico occurrit. Sex saturas (Saturae) scripsit.

Reviews

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled on this at a bookstore. W.S. Merwin acting as translator caught my eye.

Here are some gems:

Speaking of religious sacrifices in Satire 2: "And what have you bestowed upon the gods, that they're so willing to indulge you?"

And on animal sacrifices in hopes of increased flocks: "And how will they manage that, half-wit, if the fat of your beasts, one after the other, is rendered in the flames? But he keeps slogging away with his entrails and fatty pasties, determined to get rich."

"As for you, priests, there's one thing I wish you'd explain. What's gold doing in the sanctuary? I should think it's about as much use to the gods as those dolls which virgins present to Venus. We'd do better to bring to the alter what no bleary scion of great Messala can afford on his magnificent salver, namely, a soul in harmony with the dictates of heaven, a mind pure in its secret places, a generous and honest heart. Grant me these to dedicate in the temples and over plain bread I shall offer up thanks."

On his wishes for the rich and immoral: "No punishment but this: let them behold virtue and die of the knowledge that they have lost her!"

On politicians, "You, prospect of well-groomed quite useless skin, how long till you quit twitching your rump at the crooning populace?"

[Illiterate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stoic reflections in verse. My favorite is 5 on learning and living philosophy.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Persius’ verse crackles with the wit and sarcasm of intelligent youth. His language is much harsher than Horace, who seems like both an influence and the voice of an older generation to be resisted. My favorite is Satire 2, which takes a mighty swing at religious hypocrites, while simultaneously hinting that the Satirist is himself sermonizing on his high horse. It’s a shame that Persius died at such a young age, as we get the sense that these satires are really only a hint at his larger talents as a writer.

[Andrea Gallareto · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Sei satire della società romana del primo secolo dopo Cristo.
Persio critica i vizi dell'aristocrazia romana da una prospettiva stoica, infatti leggendo alcuni passaggi sembra di leggere il suo contemporaneo Seneca.
4.5 per la ricchezza delle note, i dettagli quotidiani della vita romana e per gli insegnamenti pratici della filosofia stoica.
2.5 per il piacere personale nella lettura, non è delle più avvincenti. L'autore imita e critica lo stile letterario del tempo e ovviamente non è un romanzo, ma è comunque ammirevole per avvicinarsi meglio a quei pazzi dei romani.

[Kevin Yee]

(tr. A.S. Kline)

[Yann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ces satires de Perse, auteur Latin du 1er siècle ont pour objet de mordre sans ménagement les travers de la société. A travers six satires piquantes, l'auteur règle ses comptes avec les turpitudes de la société romaines. Le style est alerte, mais aussi obscure et franchement méchant. A voir si ce type d'écrits sert à redresser les comportements, ou soulage l'auteur et les lecteurs de la peine de constater que tous ne règlent pas leur comportement de la manière la plus correcte.

[l · Rating 1 out of 5]

oh jfc with the modernization.