ABSTRACT
Gaius Cilnius Maecenas was one of the most important figures of the second half of the first century BC, but at the same time he was an enigmatic figure. Before investigating the life of Maecenas, there are two unresolved issues which have an important bearing upon any investigation of Maecenas. The Coole Park bust has the name Maecenas inscribed on its plinth. This very fact suggests that it is a later copy, as Roman portrait busts very rarely have names to identify them. Research identified one hundred and sixty-one Latin and Greek texts which named Maecenas from thirty-five authors ranging in time from the first century BC to the seventh century AD. The writer acknowledges Maecenas’ loyalty to the emperor, his role as right hand man and protector of Rome. The writer’s use of almi Caesaris would be a reason for Augustus to remain anonymous, as are other such complimentary references to Augustus in the Elegies.
