The founding epic of Latin literature — eighteen books of hexameter verse tracing Rome's history from the fall of Troy to Ennius's own day. Before Virgil's Aeneid, this was THE Roman epic, and its influence on all subsequent Latin poetry was immense. Cicero quoted it constantly, Virgil both imitated and surpassed it. Yet the poem survives only in approximately 600 scattered lines, quoted by later authors for their linguistic interest. Ennius's achievement — bringing Greek hexameter to Latin — changed the language forever, even as the poem itself was lost.
The proem and the dream of Homer — Ennius claims Homer's soul has transmigrated into his body. The fall of Troy and Aeneas's flight to Italy. The founding of Rome by Romulus.
The famous proem, with its dream vision of Homer on Parnassus, survives in fragments. About 90 lines from this book are preserved.
Fragments 1–51 Skutsch; preserved by Cicero (De Divinatione 1.40–41), Gellius, Priscian, Varro
The kings of Rome from Numa Pompilius through Ancus Marcius. Ennius established the tradition of annual chronicle in epic verse.
Fragments only — approximately 30 lines survive.
Fragments 52–80 Skutsch; preserved by Nonius Marcellus, Macrobius, Festus
The later kings: the Tarquins and the founding of the Republic. Horatius at the bridge and Brutus's expulsion of the tyrants.
Fragments only.
Fragments 81–100 Skutsch; preserved by Gellius, Nonius, Priscian
The early Republic and the Gallic sack of Rome. The geese on the Capitol and Camillus's rescue of the city.
Fragments only.
Fragments 101–120 Skutsch; preserved by Macrobius, Sat. 6.1–2; Gellius
The Samnite Wars and Rome's conquest of Italy. The humiliation at the Caudine Forks.
Fragments only.
Fragments 121–140 Skutsch; preserved by Nonius, Priscian, Gellius
The war with Pyrrhus — one of the best-attested books. Pyrrhus's famous declaration about Roman soldiers survives from this book.
Relatively well-attested. The famous line on Fabius Cunctator — "unus homo nobis cunctando restituit rem" — may belong here or in Book XII.
Fragments 141–175 Skutsch; preserved by Gellius, Macrobius, Nonius
The First Punic War begins. Rome builds a fleet and challenges Carthaginian naval supremacy.
Fragments only.
Fragments 176–210 Skutsch (Pyrrhus); preserved by Cicero, Gellius 6.12
The continuation of the First Punic War, including the Regulus expedition to Africa and Rome's naval disasters.
Fragments only.
Fragments 211–250 Skutsch (First Punic War); preserved by Macrobius, Nonius, Priscian
The conclusion of the First Punic War and events between the wars. The original ending of the poem before Ennius added further books.
Fragments only. Books I–IX may have formed the original poem, later extended.
Fragments 251–290 Skutsch (Second Punic War); preserved by Gellius, Macrobius
The Second Punic War begins: Hannibal crosses the Alps. The battle of Cannae — the darkest day in Roman history.
Fragments only.
Fragments 291–310 Skutsch; preserved by Nonius, Festus, Charisius
The war in Italy after Cannae: Fabius's strategy of delay and the siege of Syracuse.
Fragments only.
Fragments 311–330 Skutsch; preserved by Gellius, Priscian
Scipio Africanus in Spain and the turning of the tide against Hannibal. Ennius's patron Scipio's ancestor takes centre stage.
Relatively well-attested. The famous "unus homo" line about Fabius is often attributed to this section.
Fragments 331–355 Skutsch; preserved by Nonius, Macrobius, Priscian
The defeat of Hannibal at Zama and the end of the Second Punic War. Rome triumphant.
Fragments only.
Fragments 356–370 Skutsch; preserved by Gellius, Nonius
The wars in the Greek east: the defeat of Philip V of Macedon and Roman intervention in the Hellenistic world.
Fragments only.
Fragments 371–385 Skutsch; preserved by Nonius, Priscian, Charisius
The war with Antiochus III of Syria and Rome's settlement of the eastern Mediterranean.
Fragments only.
Fragments 386–400 Skutsch; preserved by Nonius, Macrobius
Events of the early second century BC, approaching Ennius's own lifetime. The poet begins to write contemporary history.
Fragments only. The later books are the least well attested.
Fragments 401–420 Skutsch; preserved by Gellius, Varro, Priscian
The Istrian War and other campaigns of the 180s and 170s BC. Ennius writes as a near-contemporary.
Very few fragments survive.
Very few fragments; preserved by Nonius, Priscian
The final book, probably written shortly before Ennius's death in 169 BC. The last addition to the national epic that defined Roman literary identity until Virgil transformed it.
Very few fragments survive. Ennius reportedly composed this book in old age.
Very few fragments; preserved by Gellius, Cicero (Brutus 78)