Sextus Pompeius Festus

Sextus Pompeius Festus - De verborum significatu - 1700

Sextus Pompeius Festus was a Roman grammarian and lexicographer who lived during the late 2nd century AD. He is best known for his work, De Verborum Significatu (On the Meaning of Words), which is an abridged version of a much larger lexicon by Verrius Flaccus. Festus' work provides valuable insights into the Latin language, Roman law, religion, and customs of his time. Despite the importance of his work, little is known about his life, including his exact dates of birth and death.

Life and Work

The details of Sextus Pompeius Festus' life are largely unknown. He is believed to have lived during the Antonine dynasty, possibly between the reigns of Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius. His most significant contribution to literature and linguistics is his epitome of Verrius Flaccus' encyclopedic dictionary. Flaccus' original work, now lost, was a comprehensive lexicon that included etymologies, explanations of obscure words, and discussions on various subjects related to Roman culture and society. Festus' abridgment, while significantly shorter, preserved a considerable portion of this valuable information.

De Verborum Significatu

De Verborum Significatu is structured as an alphabetical glossary of terms, providing definitions and explanations for words that were archaic or specialized even in Festus' time. The work is a crucial source for the study of Latin, offering insights into ancient Roman law, religion, military terminology, and daily life in Rome. It includes references to lost literary works, giving modern scholars a glimpse into the breadth of Roman literature and knowledge that has since disappeared.

Legacy

Festus' epitome has been preserved in various manuscripts, the most important of which is the Codex Farnesianus, dating from the 11th century. The work has been edited and studied extensively since the Renaissance, with scholars attempting to reconstruct the missing parts and understand the context of Festus' entries. His work is not only a linguistic resource but also a cultural and historical encyclopedia of the Roman world.

In the Renaissance, humanists like Poggio Bracciolini sought out ancient texts, including Festus' work, which contributed to the revival of classical learning in Europe. Festus' influence extends beyond the field of classics; his work is a testament to the enduring interest in the language, law, and customs of ancient Rome.

Editions and Translations

Over the centuries, De Verborum Significatu has been edited by numerous scholars. These editions have sought to clarify the text, correct errors, and, where possible, restore missing sections based on other sources. Translations and commentaries have made Festus' work accessible to a broader audience, ensuring its continued relevance in the study of ancient Rome.

Conclusion

Sextus Pompeius Festus remains an important figure in the study of the Latin language and Roman culture. His abridgment of Verrius Flaccus' lexicon is a vital link to the past, preserving knowledge that would otherwise have been lost. Despite the fragmentary nature of his work, Festus provides a window into the complex world of ancient Rome, its language, laws, and daily life.