Chapter 1 GENERAL CHARACTER OF ROMAN POETRY.

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Recent change in the estimate of Roman Poetry 1

Want of originality 2

As compared with Greek Poetry 2

" " with Roman Oratory and History 3

The most complete literary monument of Rome 5

Partly imitative, partly original 6

Imitative in forms 7

" in metres 8

Imitative element in diction 9

" " in matter 11

Original character, partly Roman, partly Italian 13

National spirit 14

Imaginative sentiment 15

Moral feeling 16

Italian element in Roman Poetry 17

Love of Nature 17

Passion of Love 19

Personal element in Roman Poetry 20

Four Periods of Roman Poetry 23

Character of each 24

Conclusion 26