Chapter III

LIFE AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF VIRGIL.
I. Sources of our knowledge of Virgil’s Life 93-99
Various sources of ancient literary biography 93
Direct personal statements of the authors 93
Indirect self-revelations in their works 94
Evidence of contemporaries 94
Works of ancient Grammarians, etc. 95
Remains of ancient art 95
Knowledge of Virgil derived from his works 95
Testimony of Horace 95
Biographies of Probus and Donatus 98
Their value as evidence of facts and character 98
II. Life of Virgil 99-121
His name and the year of his birth 99
His birth-place as affecting his genius 101
His birth-place as affecting his culture 103
" " " his political feeling 104
Characteristics of the class from which he sprang 105
His early years 107
His studies at Rome 109
His later life in his native district 113
Loss of his farm 115
Publication of the Eclogues and preparation of the Georgics 116
Testimonies of Horace as to his life during this time 117
The Georgics composed at Naples 119
His death and wish to destroy the Aeneid 120
III. Personal Characteristics 121-129
His recluse and studious life 122
His personal appearance and habits 123
Impression of his character derived from Horace 124
" " " from his own works 125
His indifference to political freedom 127
His devotion to his art 127