a Roman eques, was one of the earliest grammarians at Rome, and also one of the most celebrated.
Cicero describes him as most learned in Greek and Roman literature, and especially well
acquainted with ancient Latin works. Aelius gave instruction in grammar to Varro, who speaks
of him with the greatest respect, and frequently quotes him; and he was also one of Cicero's
teachers in rhetoric. He received the surname of Praeconinus, because his father had been a
praeco, and that of Stilo on account of his compositions. He belonged to the aristocratical
party in the state, and accompanied Q. Metellus Numidicus into exile in
Aelius, however, did not aspire himself to any of the offices of state, and did not speak in public; but he wrote orations for many of his friends, such as Q. Metellus, Q. Caepio, Q. Pompeius Rufus and Cotta, upon which Cicero does not bestow much commendation.
It was by his grammatical works that he acquired the most celebrity. He wrote Commentaries on the Songs of the Salii and on the Twelve Tables, a work
Some modern writers suppose that the work on Rhetoric ad C. Herennium, which is printed in the editions of Cicero, is the work of this Aelius, but this is mere conjecture. [Comp. Vol. 1. pp. 726, 727.]
Acad. 1.2, de Leg. 2.23, de Orat.
1.43; Suet. de Ill. Gramm. 2, 3 ;
L. L. 5.18, 21, 25, 66, 101, 6.7, 59, 7.2, ed. Müller; Van Heusde,