Varro

Life and Times:

• Lived: 116 BC – 27 BC (spanning the late Roman Republic and the birth of the Roman Empire)
• Origin: Reate (modern-day Rieti, Italy)
• Social Status: Likely belonged to the equestrian class (wealthy citizens below senators)

Literary Legacy:

• Prolific Writer: Estimated to have written over 74 works in some 620 books, though only one complete work survives (Res rustica, "On Agriculture").
• Wide-Ranging Interests: His writings covered an incredibly broad spectrum – jurisprudence, astronomy, geography, education, literary history, satires, poems, orations, and letters.
• Polymath: Varro is considered a polymath, a person of wide-ranging knowledge and learning.
• Influence on Others: His work served as a valuable resource for many other ancient authors, including Cicero, Pliny the Elder, Virgil, and Augustine.

Impact and Recognition:

• "The Third Great Light of Rome": Nicknamed by Petrarch as "the third great light of Rome" (after Virgil and Cicero), highlighting his significance in Roman literature.
• Preserving Roman History: Varro's writings played a crucial role in preserving aspects of Roman history, culture, and language that might have otherwise been lost.
• Source Material: Many fragments of his lost works survive through citations by other authors, providing valuable insights into Roman life and thought.

Varro the Scholar:

• Roman Antiquities: Varro showed a deep interest in Roman history and antiquities. He researched and wrote about early Roman laws, customs, and religion.
• Focus on Practicality: Some of his works, like Res rustica, offered practical advice on agriculture and estate management, reflecting his interest in the practical aspects of Roman life.
• Satirical Works: Varro's "Menippean Satires" (lost but known through fragments) were a satirical take on philosophy and society, influenced by the Greek philosopher Menippus.

Legacy:

• Important Figure in Roman Literature: Varro remains a crucial figure in Roman literature, offering a window into the intellectual and cultural life of the Roman Republic and early Empire.
• Source for Historians: His writings continue to be a valuable source for historians and scholars studying Roman history and culture.

Further Exploration:

• While most of Varro's works are lost, fragments and references to them can be found in the writings of other Roman authors.
• Translations of Res rustica ("On Agriculture") are available, allowing you to explore his work on practical agriculture in the Roman world.
• Researching Roman history and the intellectual movements of the late Republic can provide further context for understanding Varro's contributions.