ennianists

Updated: June 9, 2025

Not only did they resume the strict criticism of the Scipionic epoch and set store by Terence only in order to condemn Ennius and still more the Ennianists, but the younger and bolder men went much farther and ventured already though only as yet in heretical revolt against literary orthodoxy to call Plautus a rude jester and Lucilius a bad verse-smith.

Theodor Mommsen - The History of Rome (Volumes 1-5)

Not only did they resume the strict criticism of the Scipionic epoch and set store by Terence only in order to condemn Ennius and still more the Ennianists, but the younger and bolder men went much farther and ventured already though only as yet in heretical revolt against literary orthodoxy to call Plautus a rude jester and Lucilius a bad verse-smith.

Theodor Mommsen - The History of Rome, Book V : The Establishment of the Military Monarchy