Velleius Paterculus, after enumerating the distinguished literary characters who lived in
the last years of the republic, in passing on to those who approached more nearly to his own
age, uses the words "interque (sc. ingenia) proximi nostri aevi eminent
princeps carminum Virgilius, Rabiriusque," where some critics have unjustifiably sought to
substitute "Variusque" or "Horatiusque" for "Rabiriusque." Ovid also pays a tribute to the
genius of the same individual when he terms him "magnique Rabirius oris" (Ep.
ex Pont. 4.16. 5), but Quintilian speaks more coolly," Rabirius ac Pedo non indigni
cognitione, si vacet" (10.1.90).
From Seneca (De Benef. 6.3), who quotes with praise an expression
placed in the mouth of Antonius, Hoc habeo quuodcunque dedi ! we are
led to conclude that the work of Rabirius belonged to the epic class, and that the subject
was connected with the Civil Wars.
No portion of this piece was known to exist until among the charred rolls found at Herculaneum a fragment was decyphered which many believe to be a part of the poem of Rabirius.
It was first printed in the
Fulgentius Planciades in his exposition of the word Abstemius quotes
a line from "Rabirius in Satyra," where some MSS. give Rubrius, a name
entirely unknown. Admitting that the common reading is correct, it is impossible, in the
absence of all further information, to determine whether the Rabirius referred to is the
same Rabirius who is noticed by Velleius, Ovid, Seneca, and Quintilian, or a different
person, and there seems to be scarcely standing-room for controversy. A good deal,
notwithstanding, has been written upon the question, as may be seen by consulting the
sources below.
Casaubon, de Satyric. Poes. 2.3; Ruperti, Proleg. ad
Jurenal. ; Wernsdorf, Poet. Lat. Min. vol. iii. p. 19 ; Weichert,
de Lucio Vario Poeta, Excurs. iv., de Pedone et Rabirio
Poetis ; Haupt, Rhein. Mus. Neue Folge, vol. 3.2, p. 308.