Seneca - College of Stoic Philosophers

MARCUS ANNAEUS SENECAiiagreement on these points was reached orpossible.The positions of the various controversialistsin the 'battle of the books,' fought in the secondhalf of the first century between the upholdersof the classical tradition in writing and speakingand the new school, between ancient and modernideas and standards, are admirably given in thedialogue De Oratorihus, generally ascribed toTacitus. The dialogueis for all time a model ofurbane controversy, in which the most completedifference of opinion is effectively expressed withouta trace of acerbity or sarcasm. The viewsof the author are probably represented by thegentle Maternus, who, after Afer and Messalahave pleaded the cause of the moderns and ofthe ancients respectively, takes a middle course.He admits with Messala the fact of the decay ofeloquence, but argues that this is the result ofthe change in the character of the times and inthe nature of the government rather than of anydecline in the abilities of men. Augustus, indeed,together with everything else, had pacifiedeloquence which could only flourish in turbulenttimes ;but he suggests that eloquence was notof such importance that it was desirable thatthe times should be turbulent in order that itmight flourish. He might have added that goodart being the true representation of emotion,passion, or thought, which the artist has himselfexperienced either actually or through sympathy,it must change with the changinglife of theday and cannot be limited by old conventions.