Sententiae
by Publilius Syrus

Syrus wrote these maxims and moral statements in iambic and trochaic verse, each one standing independently in a single verse. Over the course of time the collection was amended via additions of verses from other sources. The verses were arranged in alphabetical order according to the first letter of the first word in the verse. To the best of our knowledge, some 700 of the verses in the collection are genuinely the work of Publilius Syrus. Because of the revisions to the collection over time, a number of verses in the Sententiae contradict one another in their advice or opinions. One consistent aspect appearing throughout the Sententiae is its misogyny: there is no verse in the entire corpus that expresses any positive statement regarding women.

Read by Linda Thompson

Read by Linda Thompson

Publilius Syrus (fl. 85-43 BCE) was a Latin author who is best known today for his collection of maxims, known as the Sententiae. He was born in the city of Antioch in Syria, though we seem to have no information as to whether he was born free or as a slave. At some point in his life he became a slave, and was brought from Syria to Italy. Syrus seems to have gained his master’s favor, as he was set free and given an education. Syrus became the “author” of numerous mimes – Rose explains that mime composers of the time were not so much authors as managers or directors, devising plot sketches that the actors would use as bases for improvisational comedy. These were performed with success in provincial towns in Italy, making Syrus a popular figure. In 46 BCE Syrus took part in games sponsored by Julius Caesar by providing mimes for the occasion. The mime performances were part of a contest, which Syrus won, and he received his prize from Caesar himself. None of the mimes survive.What does survive is the set of Sententiae. Syrus wrote these maxims and moral statements in iambic and trochaic verse, each one standing independently in a single verse. Over the course of time the collection was amended via additions of verses from other sources. The verses were arranged in alphabetical order according to the first letter of the first word in the verse. To the best of our knowledge, some 700 of the verses in the collection are genuinely the work of Publilius Syrus. Because of the revisions to the collection over time, a number of verses in the Sententiae contradict one another in their advice or opinions. One consistent aspect appearing throughout the Sententiae is its misogyny: there is no verse in the entire corpus that expresses any positive statement regarding women.

“Publilius Syrus,” Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publilius_Syrus), 1/20/22; Rose, H.J. A Handbook of Latin Literature (New York: E.P. Dutton & Co, 1960).