Public Readings in the First Century A.D.
Abstract
The practice of reading aloud a composition of verse or prose before a selected audience to elicit criticism and assist in the final revision was instituted in the time of Augustus by Asinius Pollio. This distinguished orator, poet and historian started the fashion by reading his own writings.Primus enim omnium scripta sua recitavit.Teuffel tells us we owe its inception to the loss of Pollio's political sphere. Very possibly in fact it would be a perfectly normal reaction. His controversy with Anthony whom he had helped in the Civil Wars was the culmination of his political career. He preferred keeping aloof from Octavianus instead of joining forces with him.
Subject Area
Classical Studies
Recommended Citation
O'Malley, Aileen Teresa, "Public Readings in the First Century A.D." (1933). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI28289054.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI28289054
