SYMMACHUS' VARRO: LATIN LETTERS IN LATE ANTIQUITY
Michele Renee Salzman
Abstract Symmachus opened his first book of letters by writing to father Avianius, whom he depicted as a ‘new Varro’ learned epigrams on seven famous men in imitation Varro's lost work, the Hebdomades. was not alone using work an intertext. Based my study allusions Varro and works late-fourth fifth-century writers, I argue that Christian polemicists renewed their attacks Augustan scholar last decades fourth century. Consequently, Symmachusȧ choice forceful response support Roman religious well literary traditions late 380s or early 390s, period which would date dissemination Symmachus' conceptualization seven-book letter collection.
Bulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies of the University of London