Sextus Pompeius Festus

Fay Glinister (University College London)

Ed. by William John Dominik, University of Otago
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.1.2: Ancient Roman Writing and Culture (Republic and Empire), -750-476.
Vol. editors: Anca Dan (École Practique de Hautes Études PSL), Martine Diepenbroek (University of Johannesburg), William John Dominik (University of Otago), Giacomo Fedeli (University of Exeter), Victoria Fendel (University of Oxford), Thomas Habinek (University of Southern California), Emily Kneebone (University of Nottingham), Elodie Paillard (University of Sydney), Sophia Papaioannou (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), Guendalina Daniela Maria Taietti (University of Liverpool), Jula Wildberger (American University of Paris)

Dates

Born c. 170
Died c. 220

Places

Active in Ancient Rome (Republic & Empire)

Activities

Primary

Grammarian
Linguist

Resources

Festus' Works

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Sextus Pompeius Festus is the author of a Latin lexicon of the Roman imperial period known as

De Verborum Significationibus

(“On the Meaning of Words”).

Festus the man is obscure; even the elements of his name are uncertain. The hypothesis that he came from Gaul largely derives from an entry in a mid-twelfth century monastic catalogue at Cluny which records a liber Festi Pompeii ad Arcorium Rufum, identified as a descendant of the grammarian C. Artorius Proculus, whom Festus cites. Inscriptions at Narbonne may also suggest a connection between the two families (CIL 12.4412, 12.5066). However, Festus’ Gallic origin remains unproven.

Festus the man is obscure; even the elements of his name are uncertain. The hypothesis that he came from Gaul largely derives from an entry in a…

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167 words

Citation: Glinister, Fay. "Sextus Pompeius Festus". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 06 December 2012 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=13009, accessed 22 November 2024.]