FLORUS, PUBLIUS ANNIUS

flourished 2nd century AD, , b. Africa died , Rome? historian of Rome and poet, important as the first of a number of African writers who, in the 2nd century, exercised considerable influence on Latin literature. He was also the first of the new-fashioned poets of Hadrian's reign, whose special characteristic was the use of lighter and more graceful metres than those of the poets they displaced. Florus compiled a brief sketch of the history of Rome from its founding to the time of Augustus, based chiefly on Livy. The work, called in some manuscripts Epitome de T. Livio bellorum omnium annorum DCC libri duo, is a rhetorical panegyric of the greatness of Rome. Almost valueless historically, it was much used in the Middle Ages. In the manuscripts the writer is variously identified, but stylistic similarity to a dialogue Vergilius orator an poeta known to be the work of Publius Annius Florus, of which a fragment is preserved, authenticates his authorship of the history. The Vergilius states that he took part in the contest of poets instituted by the emperor Domitian in honour of Capitoline Jove. Having been refused a prize because of the prejudice against African provincials, he went to Tarraco, Spain, where he taught rhetoric. At some time he must have returned, because it is generally agreed that he is the Florus said to have addressed the well-known lines to Hadrian beginning, I do not wish to be a Caesar, which provoked Hadrian's satirical parody, I do not wish to be a Florus, quoted by Spartianus. Twenty-six trochaic tetrameters, De qualitate vitae, and five graceful hexameters, De rosis, are also attributed to him.