A POET ON THE MARGINS: VERGIL AND THE THEOCRITEAN SCHOLIA.

The author discusses Hellenistic poet Vergil's possible interpretation of the author Theocritus, by way of scholar Theon's commentary, in the composition of his "Eclogues." Topics covered include the evidence via lexical items of etymology and wordplay, and correctio and aemulatio, and the invention of and Vergil's motivation on writing pastoral poetry. The author also notes the additional insight into Vergil's poetry afforded by Theon's commentary.