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The principal literary work attributed to Oppian is the *Halieutica*, a didactic epic poem centered on the subject of fishing.
Answer: True
Explanation: The *Halieutica* is indeed Oppian's most significant extant work, characterized as a didactic epic poem that extensively details the practices and lore of fishing.
Identify Oppian and his principal literary contribution.
Answer: A Greco-Roman poet famous for the *Halieutica*, a poem about fishing.
Explanation: Oppian is recognized as a Greco-Roman poet, whose most significant work is the *Halieutica*, a didactic epic poem dedicated to the subject of fishing.
Define the *Halieutica*.
Answer: A didactic epic poem about fishing.
Explanation: The *Halieutica* is Oppian's principal work, classified as a didactic epic poem that focuses on the subject of fishing and marine life.
Oppian, identified by appellations such as Oppian of Corycus, was a poet whose active period is situated within the 2nd century AD, not the 1st century AD.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Oppian is associated with names like Oppian of Corycus and is recognized as a Greco-Roman poet, scholarly consensus places his active period in the 2nd century AD, specifically during the reigns of Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, rather than the 1st century AD.
Oppian's literary activity is chronologically situated within the reigns of the Roman emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus.
Answer: True
Explanation: Historical and textual evidence indicates that Oppian composed his works during the period when Marcus Aurelius and his son Commodus jointly ruled the Roman Empire, specifically the latter half of the 2nd century AD.
Oppian did not claim Rome as his birthplace; his self-references and biographical accounts point to origins in Cilicia.
Answer: False
Explanation: Biographical accounts and Oppian's own textual references indicate his origins were in the Roman province of Cilicia, not the city of Rome.
The cities identified with Oppian's origin, such as Anazarbus and Corycus, were situated within the Roman province of Cilicia.
Answer: True
Explanation: Geographical evidence and biographical tradition place Oppian's claimed or attributed birthplaces, including Anazarbus and Corycus, within the Roman province of Cilicia.
The *Halieutica* was not dedicated to Emperor Nero, but rather to Marcus Aurelius and Commodus.
Answer: False
Explanation: The dedication of the *Halieutica* is to Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, not Emperor Nero, which helps date the poem's composition.
The dedication of the *Halieutica* to Marcus Aurelius and Commodus strongly indicates its composition date falls within the late 2nd century AD.
Answer: True
Explanation: The poem's dedication to Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, who ruled jointly from 176 to 180 AD, provides a specific chronological marker, placing its composition in the late 2nd century AD.
Oppian's father faced exile due to an alleged failure to accord appropriate deference to Lucius Verus during Verus's visit to Rome.
Answer: True
Explanation: According to biographical accounts, Oppian's father was exiled because he allegedly failed to pay proper respects to Lucius Verus, a prominent figure associated with Emperor Marcus Aurelius, during Verus's visit to Rome.
Lucius Verus was not the sole emperor during the period of Oppian's father's exile; he co-ruled with Marcus Aurelius.
Answer: False
Explanation: Lucius Verus served as co-emperor alongside Marcus Aurelius from 161 AD until his death in 169 AD. Therefore, he was not the sole emperor during the period of Oppian's father's exile.
Oppian accompanied his father during their exile, which was served on the island of Malta.
Answer: True
Explanation: Biographical narratives state that Oppian shared his father's exile, and this period of banishment took place on the island of Malta.
The return of Oppian and his father from exile was precipitated by the death of Lucius Verus, not Emperor Commodus.
Answer: False
Explanation: Oppian and his father returned from exile following the death of Lucius Verus in 169 AD. Emperor Commodus reigned later, from 177 AD (as co-emperor) and solely from 180 AD.
Biographical accounts suggest that Marcus Aurelius rewarded Oppian with a sum of gold proportional to the length of his poem.
Answer: True
Explanation: The biographical tradition holds that Emperor Marcus Aurelius was so impressed by Oppian's poetry that he awarded the poet a piece of gold for each line and granted favor to him and his father.
Oppian's life was cut short prematurely; he did not die of old age after a long career.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to the notion of a long life, Oppian died prematurely from the plague at approximately thirty years of age, cutting short his literary career.
Oppian's demise occurred prematurely due to an outbreak of the plague, at approximately thirty years of age.
Answer: True
Explanation: The biographical accounts consistently state that Oppian succumbed to the plague at a young age, estimated to be around thirty years old, marking a tragic end to his life.
Which of the following appellations is NOT associated with Oppian, according to the provided text?
Answer: Oppian of Athens
Explanation: The text associates Oppian with geographical locations such as Anazarbus, Corycus, and the broader region of Cilicia. There is no mention of 'Oppian of Athens' as an appellation.
During the reigns of which Roman emperors did Oppian live and compose his poetry?
Answer: Marcus Aurelius and Commodus
Explanation: Oppian's literary activity is chronologically situated within the reigns of the Roman emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, specifically the latter half of the 2nd century AD.
Oppian's self-described origins reference:
Answer: The city of Hermes and the city at the promontory of Sarpedon.
Explanation: Oppian's textual references to his origins include phrases such as 'the city of Hermes' and 'the city at the promontory of Sarpedon,' which scholars interpret as pointing to his Cilician background.
Within which Roman province were the cities mentioned as Oppian's origin or birthplace, such as Anazarbus and Corycus, located?
Answer: Cilicia
Explanation: The cities identified as Oppian's origin or birthplace, including Anazarbus and Corycus, were situated within the Roman province of Cilicia, located in modern-day southern Turkey.
To whom was Oppian's *Halieutica* dedicated?
Answer: Marcus Aurelius and his son Commodus
Explanation: The *Halieutica* is dedicated to the Roman emperors Marcus Aurelius and his son Commodus, a dedication that helps establish the poem's chronological context.
The dedication of the *Halieutica* strongly suggests the poem was composed during the period of joint rule spanning from:
Answer: 176 to 180 AD
Explanation: The dedication to Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, who ruled jointly, indicates the *Halieutica* was composed during their period of shared emperorship, specifically from 176 to 180 AD.
According to anonymous biographical accounts, Oppian's father was exiled subsequent to incurring the displeasure of which individual?
Answer: Lucius Verus
Explanation: Anonymous biographies recount that Oppian's father was exiled after incurring the displeasure of Lucius Verus, a co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius.
To which island was Oppian's father banished during his period of exile?
Answer: Malta
Explanation: The biographical tradition indicates that Oppian's father was banished to the island of Malta during his exile.
What specific event marked the return of Oppian and his father from their exile?
Answer: The death of Lucius Verus
Explanation: The return of Oppian and his father from exile is historically linked to the death of Lucius Verus in 169 AD.
How did Emperor Marcus Aurelius reportedly reward Oppian for his poetic compositions?
Answer: He gave him a piece of gold for each line and took him into imperial favor.
Explanation: According to biographical tradition, Marcus Aurelius rewarded Oppian generously, offering a piece of gold for each line of his poem and extending imperial favor to both Oppian and his father.
What is stated regarding the cause and circumstances of Oppian's death?
Answer: He died of the plague at approximately thirty years old.
Explanation: Biographical accounts consistently report that Oppian died prematurely from the plague, at an approximate age of thirty years.
The *Halieutica* is characterized not as a short lyric poem, but as an extensive didactic epic comprising five books.
Answer: False
Explanation: The *Halieutica* is an epic poem of considerable length, structured into five books, rather than a brief lyric composition limited to two books.
Oppian's *Halieutica* was composed in Ancient Greek hexameter, not in Latin prose.
Answer: False
Explanation: The *Halieutica* is written in Ancient Greek hexameter, a classical poetic meter, and is an epic poem, not a work of Latin prose.
The *Halieutica* is structured into five books and contains approximately 3,500 lines of verse.
Answer: True
Explanation: The extant text of the *Halieutica* is divided into five books and is estimated to comprise around 3,500 lines, providing a substantial body of work on its subject.
Books 1 and 2 of the *Halieutica* primarily address the behavior and interactions of marine animals, not exclusively fishing techniques.
Answer: False
Explanation: The initial books (1 and 2) of the *Halieutica* are dedicated to describing the characteristics, behaviors, and reproductive cycles of marine creatures. Detailed fishing techniques are primarily covered in subsequent books.
The *Halieutica* is not generally considered a sufficient practical manual for fishing, despite its detailed descriptions.
Answer: False
Explanation: The *Halieutica* is primarily valued as a literary and didactic work, employing poetic devices and moralizing examples. It is not generally regarded as a comprehensive practical manual for fishing due to its emphasis on literary and pedagogical aims over technical instruction.
Book 3 of the *Halieutica* focuses on methods for catching tuna and exploiting fish gluttony, not primarily on large sea creatures like whales and sharks.
Answer: False
Explanation: Book 3 of the *Halieutica* details techniques for catching tuna and exploiting fish appetites. The description of methods for capturing large marine animals such as whales and sharks is found in Book 5.
Book 4 of the *Halieutica* details fishing methods that exploit the mating instincts ('love and lust') of fish, and also incorporates the use of poison.
Answer: True
Explanation: Book 4 of the *Halieutica* discusses fishing strategies that leverage the reproductive drives of fish, alongside methods involving the use of poisons to capture them.
The *Halieutica* does not conclude with methods for catching tuna; this topic is covered in Book 3, while the poem concludes with sponge diving.
Answer: False
Explanation: The discussion of tuna fishing occurs in Book 3 of the *Halieutica*. The poem's conclusion focuses on the dangers associated with sponge diving, rather than tuna capture.
In what meter was Oppian's *Halieutica* composed?
Answer: Ancient Greek hexameter
Explanation: Oppian composed the *Halieutica* in Ancient Greek hexameter, a meter traditionally used for epic and didactic poetry, aligning his work with classical literary conventions.
How many books constitute the *Halieutica*?
Answer: Five
Explanation: The *Halieutica* is structured into five distinct books, presenting a comprehensive exploration of its subject matter.
The initial two books of the *Halieutica* primarily focus on:
Answer: The behavior and interactions of marine animals.
Explanation: Books 1 and 2 of the *Halieutica* are dedicated to describing the characteristics, behaviors, reproductive cycles, and interspecies interactions of marine fauna.
Which books of the *Halieutica* are primarily dedicated to detailing various fishing techniques?
Answer: Books 3 through 5
Explanation: While fishing techniques are mentioned throughout, Books 3, 4, and 5 of the *Halieutica* are principally dedicated to detailing various methods and strategies employed in fishing.
Is the *Halieutica* considered sufficiently comprehensive to serve as a practical manual for fishing?
Answer: No, its primary purpose is literary and didactic, not technical instruction.
Explanation: The *Halieutica* is primarily valued as a literary and didactic work, employing poetic devices and moralizing examples. It is not generally regarded as a comprehensive practical manual for fishing due to its emphasis on literary and pedagogical aims over technical instruction.
Which book of the *Halieutica* describes methods for catching fish by exploiting their gluttony and also details the capture of tuna?
Answer: Book 3
Explanation: Book 3 of the *Halieutica* details fishing techniques that exploit the gluttony of fish and includes specific methods for catching tuna.
Book 4 of the *Halieutica* explores fishing techniques that manipulate the 'love and lust' of fish and also mentions the use of which of the following?
Answer: Poison
Explanation: Book 4 of the *Halieutica* discusses fishing methods that exploit fish mating instincts and also describes the use of poison as a technique for capture.
What categories of large sea creatures are discussed in Book 5 of the *Halieutica*?
Answer: Whales, sharks, and dolphins
Explanation: Book 5 of the *Halieutica* focuses on methods for capturing the largest marine animals, including whales, sharks, and dolphins.
Oppian frequently employs anthropomorphism, attributing human-like emotions, such as love and animosity, to marine fauna.
Answer: True
Explanation: A notable characteristic of the *Halieutica* is Oppian's use of anthropomorphism, wherein fish and other marine creatures are depicted as possessing human emotions and motivations like love, hate, and jealousy.
Oppian utilized Homeric similes, frequently drawing parallels between the actions of marine animals and human conduct.
Answer: True
Explanation: The *Halieutica* extensively employs Homeric similes, a technique where Oppian often reverses the traditional epic comparison by likening the behaviors of marine animals to various facets of human actions and experiences.
In what manner does Oppian frequently portray the actions and behaviors of fish and marine animals within the *Halieutica*?
Answer: As driven by human-like emotions such as hate, love, and greed.
Explanation: Oppian frequently employs anthropomorphism in the *Halieutica*, depicting marine animals as motivated by human-like emotions such as hate, love, and greed, thereby lending them relatable characteristics.
What literary technique does Oppian frequently employ in the *Halieutica*, often comparing the actions of marine animals to human behavior?
Answer: Homeric similes
Explanation: Oppian frequently utilizes Homeric similes in the *Halieutica*, a technique wherein he often compares the behaviors of marine animals to various aspects of human conduct.
Oppian's contemporaries memorialized him with a statue bearing an inscription that lamented his untimely demise.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following his death, Oppian was honored by his contemporaries with the erection of a statue. An extant inscription on this monument expresses sorrow over his early passing and praises his genius.
How did Oppian's contemporaries memorialize him following his death?
Answer: They erected a statue with an inscription lamenting his early death.
Explanation: Oppian's contemporaries honored his memory by erecting a statue, which bore an inscription lamenting his premature death and celebrating his literary achievements.
By whom and when was the *Editio Princeps* (first printed edition) of Oppian's works published?
Answer: Aldus Manutius in 1517
Explanation: The *Editio Princeps* of Oppian's works, including a Latin translation by Laurentius Lippius, was published by Aldus Manutius in Venice in 1517.