Quintus Ennius was a prominent Roman poet, who is best known for his Annals, a history of Rome from the first to the second century BC. He was born in Cisalpine Gaul, a region now part of northern Italy, during a time of fierce competition between Rome and Carthage for control of the Mediterranean world. The Romans succeeded in establishing their dominance over all other peoples on the Italian peninsula. Ennius served as secretary to two censors (magistrates) and as praetor (judge)
His career as a civil servant enabled him to write annals that were considered models of historical writing. Among his other works are an epic poem on the Punic Wars and a collection of poems called "The Art of Love."
Amicu certus in re incerta cernitur' [A true friend is a friend when in difficulty]Quintus Ennius
Don't ask of your friends what you yourself can do.Quintus Ennius
Let no one weep for me, or celebrate my funeral with mourning; for I still live, as I pass to and fro through the mouths of men.Quintus Ennius
