Echoes of Antiquity: The Scholar Cincius
Delving into the life and legacy of a pivotal, yet often conflated, Roman antiquarian whose contributions illuminate Augustan-era scholarship.
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Overview
The Augustan Antiquarian
Cincius, a Roman scholar whose praenomen was most likely Lucius, though his cognomen remains unrecorded, is identified as an antiquarian writer. His period of activity is generally placed during the reign of Augustus, a transformative era for Roman culture and literature.[1][2] Antiquarians of this period were crucial for documenting and interpreting the historical, religious, and social customs of ancient Rome.
A Case of Conflation
A significant challenge in studying Cincius is the frequent confusion with another prominent figure: Lucius Cincius Alimentus. Alimentus was an annalist who lived much earlier, actively participating in the Second Punic War.[3] This chronological and professional distinction is vital, yet some scholars continue to argue for their identity as a single individual.[4] Understanding this distinction is paramount for accurate historical attribution.
Identity
Distinguishing the Two Cincii
The scholarly consensus, notably articulated by figures such as Wilhelm Siegmund Teuffel and T.P. Wiseman, firmly distinguishes between the Augustan antiquarian Cincius and the earlier annalist Lucius Cincius Alimentus.[3] This differentiation is based on their respective historical periods and the nature of their literary contributions, with the antiquarian focusing on Roman customs and institutions, and the annalist on historical narratives.
Lucius Cincius Alimentus: The Annalist
To clarify the distinction, Lucius Cincius Alimentus was a contemporary of the Second Punic War, a period of intense conflict for Rome. As an annalist, his primary role was to record historical events in chronological order, often with a focus on military and political affairs. It is also noted that Alimentus wrote in Greek, a detail that becomes relevant when discussing the authorship of certain works attributed to "Cincius."[1]
Ongoing Scholarly Discourse
Despite the prevailing view of two distinct individuals, the debate persists. J.G.F. Powell notes that some scholars still consider the antiquarian and the annalist to be one and the same.[4] This highlights the complexities inherent in reconstructing the lives and works of ancient authors, particularly when primary sources are scarce and later citations can be ambiguous.
Works
The Absence of Extant Texts
Regrettably, none of the works attributed to Cincius, the Augustan antiquarian, have survived to the present day. This loss represents a significant gap in our understanding of Roman antiquarian scholarship from that era. Our knowledge of his writings is therefore entirely dependent on references and citations by later authors.
Cited by Esteemed Authors
Despite the loss of his original texts, Cincius's importance is underscored by his citation by several prominent Roman writers. These include the historian Livy, whose monumental work "Ab Urbe Condita" (From the Founding of the City) is a cornerstone of Roman history, and Festus, a lexicographer known for his epitome of Verrius Flaccus's "De verborum significatione." Such citations indicate that Cincius's works were considered authoritative and valuable sources in their time.
The De fastis Conundrum
One of the most debated works attributed to "Cincius" is De fastis ("On the Fasti"). The authorship of this book, which likely dealt with the Roman calendar and religious festivals, is contested between the antiquarian Cincius and the annalist Alimentus.[1] Macrobius, in his Saturnalia, refers to a L. Cincius who wrote on the fasti, while John Lydus provides the title in Greek, a language in which Alimentus is known to have written.[1] This linguistic detail further complicates definitive attribution.
Legacy
Enduring Scholarly Presence
Despite the unfortunate loss of his direct literary output, Cincius's legacy persists through the citations of later Roman authors. These references confirm his standing as a respected authority on Roman antiquities during the Augustan age. His work, even in its fragmented form, contributed to the intellectual landscape of a period marked by a resurgence of interest in Rome's foundational myths and institutions.
Reconstructing a Roman Mind
Modern scholarship continues the intricate task of distinguishing Cincius from his annalist namesake and piecing together the probable scope and nature of his contributions. This process involves meticulous analysis of textual fragments, cross-referencing citations, and applying critical historical methodology to reconstruct the intellectual profile of a scholar whose direct voice is silent but whose influence is echoed in the works of others.
The Value of Antiquarianism
Cincius's role as an antiquarian highlights the profound importance of this intellectual pursuit in ancient Rome. Antiquarians were the custodians of cultural memory, preserving knowledge of ancient customs, laws, and monuments that might otherwise have been lost. Their efforts provided essential context for understanding Roman identity and continuity, making figures like Cincius indispensable to the intellectual fabric of their time.
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References
References
- Gian Biagio Conte, Latin Literature: A History (Johns Hopkins University Press, 1994, originally published 1987 in Italian), p. 70.
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