Inspirational Quotes by Ausonius (Latin Poet, Rhetorician)

Ausonius (c.309–392 CE,) fully Decimus Magnus Ausonius, was a Latin poet and rhetorician. He is recognized for his delightful portraits that give a valuable picture of provincial life in his native Gaul.

Born in Burdigala in Aquitaine, now Bordeaux, France, Ausonius was a highly regarded teacher of literature (grammatica) and public speaking (rhetorice) at Bordeaux for 30 years, and was then appointed by Emperor Valentinian I tutor to his son Gratian. He held the offices of quaestor (imperial dignitary,) prefect of Latium, and consul of Gaul.

Upon the death of Gratian, Ausonius retired to his estate in Bordeaux, where he occupied himself with literature and rural pursuits.

Ausonius left few works of any consequence—he produced the useful autobiographical Praefatiunculae (“Prefaces,”) Eclogae (mnemonic verses on astronomy and astrology,) Ordo nobilium urbium (“Order of Noble Cities,”) Ludus septem sapientum (“Play of the Seven Sages,”) a forerunner of the morality play, and many epigrams, including adaptations from the Greek Anthology.

Ausonius also produced epistles in verse and prose and idylls. They offer unique sources for reconstructing a life often seen as descriptive of the opportunities for social and political advancement facilitated by the resurgence of civic life and liberal studies in fourth-century Gaul.

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Ausonius