Persius

Persius Flaccus, Aulus (AD 34–62), known generally as Persius, Latin satirical poet. Born at Volaterrae in Etruria, he belonged to an equestrian family and was a relative of the famous Arria, wife of Paetus. He was educated at Rome, and became the pupil of the Stoic Cornutus, who exercised a strong influence on him; a fellow pupil was the Roman epic poet Lucan. He joined the group of Stoics around Thrasea Paetus, the senator who was married to the younger Arria. He bequeathed his books and a part of his large fortune to Cornutus, who accepted the books but not the money. Persius is said to have been a modest and gentle man. He took no part in public life, died young, and left only a small amount of literary work: six satires (650 hexameter lines) modelled on Lucilius and Horace, and a prologue (in scazons; see METRE, LATIN 3 (iii) b). Except for the first satire, these poems are homilies rather than satires in the strict sense, preaching an uncompromising Stoic morality as it could be applied to private life, and only incidentally touching on public life. He uses an incongruous mixture of styles and his language is obscure, but his moral sincerity is unforced and scarcely priggish when considered against the background of Nero's Rome.

Satire I is a criticism of the poets at Nero's court and the contemporary fashion for elegant, unrealistic poetry, which Persius finds significant of the corruption of Roman virtue and hardihood. Satire 2 is concerned with the right use of prayer, mocking those who ask for external goods rather than virtue. Satire 3 is a diagnosis of the damage done to sick souls by sloth and vice. Satire 4 urges a young statesman (Nero?) to disregard public admiration and pursue virtue by examining his own character. Satire 5 is a eulogy of Cornutus, describing the simple and studious life the poet leads when in the philosopher's company; its subject is the rarity of true freedom—we are all the slaves of our passions or superstitions. Satire 6 is addressed to Caesius Bassus (a lyric poet commended by Quintilian) who edited Persius' satires after his death and is said to have died in the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79; it expounds the wisdom of living comfortably, but not covetously.

Quotes:

"Is any man free except the one who can pass his life as he pleases?"

"Oh, what a void there is in things."

"He conquers who endures."

"We consume our tomorrows fretting about our yesterdays."

"Out of nothing can come, and nothing can become nothing."