Sextus Pompeius Festus is the author of a Latin lexicon of the Roman imperial period known as De Verborum Significationibus (“On the Meaning of Words”).

Festus the man is obscure; even the elements of his name are uncertain. The hypothesis that he came from Gaul largely derives from an entry in a mid-twelfth century monastic catalogue at Cluny which records a liber Festi Pompeii ad Arcorium Rufum, identified as a descendant of the grammarian C. Artorius Proculus, whom Festus cites. Inscriptions at Narbonne may also suggest a connection between the two families (CIL 12.4412, 12.5066). However, Festus’ Gallic origin remains unproven.

Festus probably lived during the later second century CE since as …

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Citation: Glinister, Fay. "Sextus Pompeius Festus". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 06 December 2012 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=13009, accessed 12 December 2024.]

13009 Sextus Pompeius Festus 1 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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