The Rhctorlca of PJiilodemus. 



26\ 



to a state of complete preservation. It is an interesting com- 

 mentary on the artificiality of the epigram that a second-rate 

 writer like Philodemus can attain comparative success in it while 

 failing to write a readable prose style. Philodemus' mastery of 

 the epigrammatic style is purely formal ; nowhere does he show 

 any great originality of thought ; but his style is uniformly lucid 

 and pleasing. In his prose, partly as a result of his theory of 

 style, partly as a consequence of his rambling method of thought, 

 he never attained such a degree of excellence. Even after 

 making due allowance for the obscurity caused by imperfect 

 restoration, it is hardly possible that he will ever be found to 

 deserve the characterization of his master, koI vo^crat koX ipixrjvevaai 



The translation follows closely the edition of Sudhaus in three 

 volumes ; Philodemi Volumina rhetorica edidit Dr. Siegfried Sud- 

 haus, Leipzig, B. G. Teubner 1892, vol. II, 1896, Supplementum, 

 1895. As the fragments are presented in some confusion by 

 Sudhaus, I have appended a schematic arrangement of the 

 contents according: to the divisions of Philodemus' work. 



