Distinction between the earlier and later periods
Appreciation of Greek art and literature in both
Alexandrine influences on the Augustan poetry
Characteristics of the Alexandrine poets
Their treatment of mythological subjects
Scientific and learned character of their poetry
Their treatment of the passion of love.
Their treatment of external Nature
Pictorial art of the later Greeks
Superiority of the Augustan to the Alexandrine literature
Friendly relations among the poets of the Augustan Age
Influence of these relations on their art
Hostility of other literary coteries
VI. Causes of the special devotion to Poetry in the Augustan
Age
Effect of the Monarchy on the great forms of prose literature
Poetry later in feeling the effects of Despotism
Virgil's pre-eminence acknowledged till recent times
Disparagement of his genius in the present century
I. Estimate of Virgil in former times
His former reputation as a great Epic Poet
Estimate of the Aeneid among the Romans
during the 'Dark Ages'
II. Change in the estimate of Virgil in the present century.
Virgil's alleged dissatisfaction with the Aeneid
Probable explanation of this
Adverse criticisms in the present century