the last moment occupied in measuring heaven and earth. How often did the morning light overtake him when he had begun some problem[1] by night, and the night when he had begun in the early morning! How did he delight to predict to us far in advance the eclipses of the sun and moon! What pleasure have old men taken in pursuits less recondite, yet demanding keenness and vigor of mind! How did Naevius rejoice in his Punic War![2] Plautus in his Truculentus,—in his Pseudolus![3] I saw also Livius[4] in his old age, who, having brought out a play[5] six years before I was born, in the consulship of Cento and Tuditanus, continued before the public till I was almost a man. What shall I say of the devotion of Publius Licinius Crassus[6] to the study of pontifical and civil law? What of the similar diligence of this
- ↑ Latin, aliquid describere, probably denoting to draw a diagram. Gallus undoubtedly employed geometrical methods in his astronomical studies.
- ↑ Naevius was the earliest Roman poet of enduring reputation. He wrote both comedies and tragedies, and in his old age, banished to Utica for libels contained in his plays, he produced an epic poem on the first Punic war, in which he had served as a soldier.
- ↑ Both of these plays are extant. They were probably the latest that he wrote.
- ↑ Livius Andronicus, earlier than Naevius. His plays were in ruder Latin, and in Cicero's time were no longer read.
- ↑ Latin, fabulam docuisset, i. e. taught the actors their parts, and presided at the rehearsal.
- ↑ He was both Consul and pontifex maximus.
