Editing Latin literature (section)

=== The Imperial Period ===
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From the death of Augustus in AD 14 until about 200, Roman authors emphasized style and tried new and startling ways of expression. During the reign of [[Nero]] from 54 to 68, the Stoic philosopher [[Seneca the Younger|Seneca]] wrote a number of dialogues and letters on such moral themes as mercy and generosity. In his ''Natural Questions'', Seneca analyzed earthquakes, floods, and storms. Seneca's tragedies greatly influenced the growth of tragic drama in Europe. His nephew [[Lucan]] wrote the ''Pharsalia'' (about 60), an epic poem describing the civil war between Caesar and [[Pompey]]. The ''[[Satyricon]]'' (about 60) by [[Petronius]] was the first [[picaresque]] Latin novel.<ref>Grube, George Maximilian Antony. [https://books.google.com/books?id=jerucRW8UmMC&q=The+Greek+and+Roman+Critics ''The Greek and Roman critics.''] Hackett Publishing, 1965. p. 261. Web. 15 October 2011.</ref> Only fragments of the complete work survive. It describes the adventures of various low-class characters in absurd, extravagant, and dangerous situations, often in the world of petty crime.

Epic poems included the ''Argonautica'' of [[Gaius Valerius Flaccus]], following the story of Jason and the Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece, the ''Thebaid'' of [[Statius]], following the conflict of Oedipus's sons and the Seven Against Thebes, and the ''Punica'' of [[Silius Italicus]], following the Second Punic War and the invasions of Hannibal into Italy. At the hands of [[Martial]], the epigram achieved the stinging quality still associated with it. [[Juvenal]] satirized vice.

The historian [[Tacitus]] painted an unforgettably dark picture of the early empire in his ''Histories'' and ''Annals'', both written in the early 2nd century. His contemporary [[Suetonius]] wrote biographies of the 12 Roman rulers from [[Julius Caesar]] through [[Domitian]]. The letters of [[Pliny the Younger]] described Roman life of the period. [[Quintilian]] composed the most complete work on ancient education that we possess. Important works from the 2nd century include the ''Attic Nights'' of [[Aulus Gellius]], a collection of anecdotes and reports of literary discussions among his friends; and the letters of the orator [[Marcus Cornelius Fronto]] to [[Marcus Aurelius]]. The most famous work of the period was ''Metamorphoses'', also called ''[[The Golden Ass]]'', by [[Apuleius]]. This novel concerns a young man who is accidentally changed into a donkey. The story is filled with tales of love and witchcraft.