Ἔννιος

A Roman poet, whom Aelian¹ says is worthy to be commended. For he sang of Scipio and he wanted to elevate the man to greatness and said that only Homer could sing praises worthy of Scipio. [It is] clear that he had been amazed at the great intelligence of the poet and the worth and magnificence of his meters;² and the Messapian poet³ knew well that Homer was powerful enough to commend and to raise and exalt the glory of a man, from [the verses with] which he glorified Achilles.