M
M- ⇒ M-
M ⇒ A
Macharius (of Rome?) (395 – 400 CE)
Rufinus, Apol. 1.11.19, records that Macharius, a Christian, was composing an attack upon
astrology in 397. The unusual name presumably derives from Makhare ̄s, as in P,
Luc. 24.1, App. Mithr. 67 – 83.
DPA 4 (2005) 226, R. Goulet.
PTK
M ⇒ M T
Maecenas Licinius (30 BCE – 15 CE)
Authored a treatise on storing wine and agricultural produce known to C,
(12.4.2), who dates him roughly to the age of A. The MSS name the writer
variously as Bascenas or Mecenas Licinius. Since Maecenas’ household drew other writers
interested in agricultural topics (M, cf. V, S T), the first name is
plausibly corrected to Maecenas. The author would then be his freedman (Licinius is not
uncommon as a slave’s name).
GRL §203.
Philip Thibodeau
C. Maecenas Melissus of Spoletium (30 – 10 BCE)
Free-born foundling raised a slave, instructed in literature, and given as a gift to Maecenas,
who quickly recognized his talents. When his true identity was discovered, he was manumit-
ted and assigned by A to organize the library in the Porticus Octauiae; he lived to
at least 60. Though better known as a writer of plays and joke-books, he is presumably
identical to the Roman Melissus who wrote about zoology (P, 1.ind.9–11), physiology
(1.ind.7; cf. 28.62) and bees (Serv. ad Aen. 7.66).
RE 15.1 (1931) 532–534, P. Wessner; Kaster (1995) ad §21.
Philip Thibodeau