On Maecenas-the Famous Patron Of Literature In Ancient Rome

Gaius Maecenas, who accompanied Augustus from the period of his growing up to the early days of the Principate, was one of the most important assistants of his master. His main roles in Augustus party are diplomatist, consultant, and literature patron. The most well-known activity in Maecenas' political career was sponsoring literature and encouraging the poets to write for Augustus. Westerners use his name "Maecenas" as the term of people who sponsor arts. Maecenas sponsored many famous poets in his era, such as Virgil and Horace. There was a famous literature circle around him. He served as the middleman between emperor and poets, functioning as Augustus' minister of propaganda. The subjective intention of Maecenas' patronage is supporting Augustus' rule, but the patronage also provided chances for the poets and stimulated the developing of literature at the meantime. Providing an investigation to Maecenas' political career can help us to understand his patronage on literature.Maecenas was an experienced politician, but his political career was inconspicuous. He was a knight throughout all his life and did not get any formal official position. As a result, the foreign and domestic scholars haven't done much discussion on him and only mention him when they study Augustus or Roman literature in his era. On the basis of historical material, I try to provide an investigation to Maecenas' political career and his patronage on literature.I adopt the method of analyzing material in the investigation to Maecenas. By collecting historical material and reading modern commentaries, I first present information on his era and his public life, then provide information on his patronage on literature, and finally study his intention of sponsoring literature.