A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

a name which repeatedly occurs in the ancient poem " Dirae," or imprecations, ascribed to Virgil or the grammarian Valerius Cato, and respecting the meaning of which the commentators on this poem have entertained the most opposite opinions. Some have thought it to be the name of some locality, a tree, a river, a grove, or a hill, and the like; while others, and apparently with more reason, have considered it to be the name of a person. But those who entertain this latter opinion are again divided in regard to the person that may be meant. Some believe Battarus to be the name of the person who had taken possession by force of the estates, the loss of which the author of the "Dirae" laments, and against whom, therefore, the imprecations are directed. Wernsdorf believes that it is only a fictitious name, and is meant to designate some satiric poet, perhaps Callimachus; others imagine that Battarus

is merely a dialectic form for Bassarus or Bassareus, a surname of Bacchus. Naeke, lastly, conceives Battarus to be the name of a slave who was a skilful flute-player, or perhaps a shepherd, and who had formerly lived with the author of the " Dirae" on his estate, and remained there after the poet had been driven from it. Each of these conflicting opinions is supported by something or other that occurs in the poem itself; but it is impossible to elicit anything that would decide the question. (Wernsdorf, Poet. Lat. Min. iii. p. xlviii. &c.; Naeke, in the Rhein. Mus. ii. l, p. 113, &c.)

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