Eumolpo e Quintiliano

In this paper I analyze a hitherto almost unnoticed parallel between a passage of Eumolpus’ speech in chapter 118 of the Satyricon (the so-called ars poetica), concerning sententiae and their proper use in a poetic work, and a section of chapter 8, 5 of Quintilian’s Institutio oratoria, devoted to sententiae, where a similar concept is expressed through a very similar and unique image, in order to suggest the possibility that Petronius might have known Quintilian’s work, drawing on it for Eumolpus’ poetical precepts. Furthermore, some considerations are added concerning the chronological relationship between Eumolpus’ ars poetica and Bellum civile, and Lucan’s Pharsalia. The ultimate aim of the paper is therefore to offer a contribution to the debate on the chronology of the Satyricon, adding a further possible argument in support of the hypothesis, advanced by some recent scholars, of a postdating of the Petronian work to the Flavian age.