I SATURNALI DI MACROBIO *

Speranza

-- introductions 1.2.15-19
-- the Roman day -- 1.3.
-- archaic usages -- 1.4.1-5.10
-- arrangements for the next day
-- invited guest arrive
-- "Pretestato" and other names
-- uninvited guests arrive
-- origins of the Saturnali
-- humanity of slaves
-- the Roman calendar
-- Solar theology
-- Virgil is chosen as topic for days 2-3. Roles are distributed.
-- choice of topic for the afternoon.
-- wit of noble men of old.
-- wit of CICERONE.
-- wit of Ottaviano ("AGOSTO") and Giulia.
-- wit of Laberio, Publilio ecc
-- transition
-- the proper place of pleasure
-- astrology
-- philosophy in Virgilio.
-- Augural law in Virgilio
-- Pontifical law in Virgilio
-- Critique of current mores
-- ancient luxury
-- sumptuary laws
-- varieties of nuts, fruits, olives
-- Virgilio the rhetorician
-- Virgilio the orator: on emotion
-- Virgilio imitates Omero.
-- Virgilio and Omero compared
-- Virgilios flaws absent his model
-- Virgilio imitates Pindaro
-- Virgilio borrows Greek diction.
-- Virgilio and Greek literary arcana
-- Virgilio and Greek names for cups
-- Virgilio and assorted Greek lore
-- Virgilio and earlier Latin poets
-- Virgilio's antique diction
-- Virgilio's innovative figures
-- Virgilian puzzles explained
-- Philosophy's place at banquet
-- on questioning and criticizing
-- physical questions
-- perception and indigestion
-- the chicken and the egg
-- the effect of moonlight.