Literary Values and Voice in Persius' Satire: A Reading of Persius' Prologue and First Satire

The Roman satirist Persius composed six satires and one prologue, each displaying his unique style and voice. Persius' voice is often difficult to analyze given his complex language and deliberate obscurity, but a detailed reading of his satires allows the reader glean his message. The Prologue and First Satire illustrate Persius' literary mission and values: to separate himself from his peers by innovating the satires of Lucilius and Horace in order to promote his literary values of Roman-ness, self-sufficiency, and resentful restraint.