Laevius facts for kids

Laevius was an ancient Roman poet who lived around 80 BC. We don't know much about his life, but some of his poems have survived over time. He is known for writing lighthearted and playful poems.

Who Was Laevius?

Historians and writers from ancient times sometimes mentioned Laevius. The earliest possible mention of him might be in the writings of Suetonius. However, we can be more certain about references from the 2nd century AD, when writers like Fronto and Aulus Gellius talked about him.

Even though he was mentioned by others, we still don't have many details about his life or what he looked like.

His Writings

About sixty lines of Laevius's poems still exist today. These lines are from different works, and it's hard for modern scholars to understand why some ancient critics thought he was as skilled as famous poets like Ovid or Catullus.

Laevius wrote a collection of poems called Erotopaegnia. This name means "love games" or "playful love poems." He also wrote other poems with titles like Adonis, Alcestis, Centaurs, Helena, Ino, and Phoenix. These might have been parts of his larger Erotopaegnia collection.

What Were His Poems Like?

Laevius's poems were not serious or grand. Instead, they were light and funny stories based on ancient myths and heroes. Think of them as playful skits or short, humorous takes on well-known tales. They were meant to entertain and make people smile.

Laevius and the Moon Goddess

A Roman writer named Macrobius, who lived in the 5th century AD, quoted Laevius in his book Saturnalia. In this quote, Laevius talked about the goddess Aphrodite, who was the goddess of love and beauty.

Laevius compared Aphrodite to the Moon. He saw both of them as goddesses who bring comfort and care. He also noted that both Aphrodite and the Moon seemed to have qualities that were both masculine and feminine, showing a blend of different energies.