Ausonius: A Master of Late Roman Poetry

Ausonius (c. 310 – c. 395) was a Roman poet and rhetorician, who lived during the late Roman Empire. He was born in Burdigala (modern-day Bordeaux) in Gaul, and studied under the famous rhetorician Gratian in Rome. He served as a tutor to the emperor Valentinian II and later became a high-ranking official in the imperial administration.

Ausonius is best known for his poetry, which includes epigrams, odes, and elegies. His works are characterized by their technical skill and their reflection of the cultural and social values of the late Roman Empire. He was particularly influenced by the works of Virgil and Horace, and his own poetry often deals with themes such as love, friendship, and the fleeting nature of human life.

Some of Ausonius' most famous works include:

* "The Moselle Hymn" (Hymnum de la Moselle), a poem celebrating the beauty of the Moselle River and the region of Gaul where he was born.
* "The Elegy on the Death of His Wife" (Elegy in Memory of His Wife), a poem mourning the death of his wife, who died during childbirth.
* "The Banquet of the Ten Kings," a long narrative poem that tells the story of a fantastical banquet held by ten kings in a mythical land.

Overall, Ausonius is considered one of the most important Latin poets of the late Roman Empire, and his works continue to be studied and admired for their technical skill and their insight into the culture and values of the time.