As an orator, Caesar ranks next to Cicero.
NEPOS (94-24).
CORNELIUS NEPOS, a native of Northern Italy, was a friend of both Cicero and Atticus.

He was a prolific writer, but only his _De Viris Illustribus_ is preserved.

It shows neither historical accuracy nor good style.
LUCRETIUS (98-55).
TITUS LUCRETIUS CARUS has left a didactic poem, _De Rerum Natura_.

The tone of the work is sad, and in many places bitter.
CATULLUS (87-47).
GAIUS VALERIUS CATULLUS, of Verona, is the greatest lyric poet of Roman literature.

One hundred and sixteen of his poems are extant.
VIRGIL (70-19).
The great epic Roman poet was VIRGIL.