A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

is the name attached to a glossary which professes to give an account of the geographical names contained in the Roman poets.

Concerning the author personally we know absolutely nothing, nor are we able to determine, even approximately, the epoch to which he belongs. We cannot state positively that he refers to writers later than Lucan and Statius; but he appears to have been indebted to scholiasts for any little information which he records, and from more than one passage it would seem highly probable that he copied Servius (e. g. Montes s. v. Catillus). If this be true he must be referred to some period not earlier than the middle of the fifth century; but the evidence is after all so meagre, that we cannot venture to speak with certainty.

[W.R]