Chapter 9 REVIEW OF THE FIRST PERIOD.

Common aspects in the lives of poets in the second century b.c. 253

Popular and national character of their works 256

Political condition of the time reflected in its literature 257

Defects of the poetic literature in form and style 259

Other forms of literature cultivated in that age 260

Oratory and history 260

Familiar letters 262

Critical and grammatical studies 263

Summary of character of the first period 264

SECOND PERIOD.

THE CLOSE OF THE REPUBLIC.