The use of the fable in Roman satire

Abstract

It is the purpose of this paper to collect, discuss, and as far as possible to trace to their origin the fables which are used in Latin Satire. The term Satire has been used throughout the discussion to designate those writings which may strictly be classed as poetical satire. This paper will confine itself to a discussion of Ennius, Lucilius, Horace, Persius, and Juvenal with reference to their use of the fable. I have used the term fable in a limited sense, referring strictly to the beast fable, not including myths of folk tales as Bulfinch and other writers on mythological subjects have done.