Juvenal, the influential Roman poet of the Silver Age of Latin literature, is best known for his collection of satirical poems called the Satires. Written in dactylic hexameter, his refined and structured works were heavily influenced by Lucilius, the originator of Roman satire. Although not much is known about his personal life, it is believed that Juvenal came from a wealthy family and had a brief but unsuccessful military career. His scathing satire against successful officers led to his banishment from the kingdom, but he was able to return to Rome after the death of Emperor Domitian.
Quick Facts
- Died At Age: 72
- Born Country: Italy
- Quotes By Juvenal
- Died on: 127
- Place of death: Rome, Italy
Early Life and Exile
Decimus Junius Juvenalis, commonly known as Juvenal, was born in Aquinum (modern Aquino) in the 1st century AD, with his year of birth speculated to be 55 AD. He was born into a well-to-do family, possibly the biological or adopted son of a rich freedman. Some sources suggest that he received training under the prominent educator Quintilian. As a young man, Juvenal aspired to rise high in the administrative service of Emperor Domitian, but his desired promotions were not granted. Frustrated and bitter, he wrote a satirical poem criticizing the need for court favors to gain a promotion, which angered the emperor and led to his banishment. The exact location of his exile is unknown, but it is believed that he went to the remote town of Syene in Egypt, with his property in Rome confiscated.
Return to Rome and Later Life
After the assassination of Emperor Domitian in 96 AD, Juvenal was able to return to Rome. However, he was impoverished and had no gainful employment. He relied on the charity of wealthy citizens to survive. Over time, his situation improved, and he was able to acquire some property, including a farm at Tibur (now Tivoli). In his later years, he owned livestock and employed servants, living in modest comfort in Rome. The exact date of his death is unknown, but it is believed to be in or after 127 AD.
Literary Career and Works
Juvenal is credited with taking the satire genre to new heights. However, he was not popular during his lifetime and received little attention from contemporary poets. It was only in the late 4th century that his works began to gain recognition. He is known for authoring 16 poems divided into five books, all composed in the Roman genre of satire. His poems primarily focus on the corruption in Roman society, social deviance, vices, and the brutalities of human beings.
In his first book, containing Satires 1-5, Juvenal writes about the tyranny of Emperor Domitian and his brutal reign. Book Two consists of one long satire, Satire 6, which discusses the general life of Romans. Satires 7, 8, and 9 are contained in Book Three, which opens with the praise of a benevolent emperor, possibly Hadrian. Book Four comprises Satires 10, 11, and 12, with little information available about it. Book Five contains Satires 13, 14, 15, and 16, with allusions to the year 127.
Notable Works
One of Juvenal’s most famous verses is Satire 3, written in the form of a monologue by a loyal Roman citizen named Umbricius. Umbricius lists all the reasons why Rome has become unlivable and decides to seek a better life in the country. Satire 6, written around 115 AD, is Juvenal’s most notorious work, discussing the decay of women’s virtues and lamenting the degraded state of feminine morality. It has been interpreted by modern scholars as a “misogynistic rant.” Satire 10, composed around 120 AD and also known as “The Vanity of Human Wishes,” explores mankind’s vanity and frivolous desires. It is considered one of Juvenal’s most entertaining poems.