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It was not the Cunctator that saved Rome, but the compact structure of its confederacy and, not less perhaps, the national hatred with which the Phoenician hero was regarded on the part of Occidentals. New War-like Preparations in Rome Paullus and Varro Despite all its misfortunes, Roman pride stood no less unshaken than the Roman symmachy.
But presently hearing a great shout, Nymphidius, imagining, as some say, that the soldiers called for him, or hastening to be in time to check any opposition and gain the doubtful, came on with many lights, carrying in his hand a speech in writing, made by Cingonius Varro, which he had got by heart, to deliver to the soldiers.
Nigidius was a mystic, and devoted much of his time to Pythagorean speculations, and the celebration of various religious mysteries. His Commentarii treated of grammar, orthography, etymology, &c. In the latter he appears to have copied Varro in deriving all Latin words from native roots. One or two references are made to him in the curious Apology of Apuleius.
In this manner, just as we had come in from the chase, did we await the ambassadors of Aurelian. Announced by trumpets, and followed by their train, they soon wheeled into the lawn, and advanced toward the Queen. 'Caius Petronius and Cornelius Varro, said Zenobia, first addressing the ambassadors, and moving toward them a few paces, 'we bid you heartily welcome to Palmyra.
Something must be done and must be done quickly. A popular hero by the name of Varro, the sort of man who went about the city telling everybody how much better he could do things than slow old Fabius, the "Delayer," was made commander-in-chief by popular acclamation. At the battle of Cannae he suffered the most terrible defeat of Roman history. More than seventy thousand men were killed.
Palladius adopts the opinion of Columella, which had before been recommended by Varro.
The aesthetic writings, which have made him a name, were brief essays, some in simple prose and of graver contents, others humorous sketches the prose groundwork of which was inlaid with various poetical effusions. In neither case did he follow Latin models, and the -Satura- of Varro in particular was by no means based on that of Lucilius.
There was a Roman play, by Varro, called 'Virgula Divina'; but it is lost, and throws no light on the subject. A passage usually quoted from Seneca has no more to do with the divining rod than with the telephone. Pliny is a writer extremely fond of marvels; yet when he describes the various modes of finding wells of water, he says nothing about the divining wand.
Ovid often mentions this poem with admiration; he calls Varro the poet of the sail-tossing sea, says no age will be ignorant of his fame, and even thinks the ocean gods may have helped him to compose his song. Quintilian with better judgment notes his deficiency both in originality and copiousness, but allows him the merit of a careful translator.
The eulogy of his contemporaries was well deserved, that Varro had enabled his countrymen strangers in their own world to know their position in their native land, and had taught the Romans who and where they were. But criticism and system will be sought for in vain.