Quintus Ennius was a writer and poet who lived during the Roman Republic. He is often considered the father of Roman poetry. He was born in the small town of Rudiae, located near modern Lecce, a town founded by the Messapians, and could speak Greek as well as Latin and Oscan. Although only fragments of his works survive, his influence in Latin literature was significant, particularly in his use of Greek literary models. July 12, 239 BC – October 5, 169 BC; died at 70. Alive at the same time as Archimedes, Qin Shi Huang, Xunzi, Hannibal, and Eratosthenes. Wiki link