Cynegetica (Nemesianus)
The Cynegetica is a short, didactic Latin poem about hunting written by Marcus Aurelius Nemesianus. Some modern sources mix him up with a supposed poet named Marcus Aurelius Olympius Nemesianus, but the real author is Nemesianus; the Olympius name is tied to a figure created in the Historia Augusta and is not an actual poet.
The poem is usually dated to around 283/284 A.D. because it refers to Emperors Carinus and Numerian (AD 283–284). It is written in hexameter verse. Of the original work, 325 lines survive, but most scholars agree the Cynegetica is incomplete. It is not clear whether Nemesianus never finished it or whether parts have been lost. Some scholars have argued about its authorship and transmission, with theories that the work was finished but the final parts vanished, or that the entire poem existed under a fictitious name in ancient sources.
Scholars differ on how long the Cynegetica was meant to be. One view compares its potential length to Oppian’s longer Cynegetica, while others think Nemesianus’ poem was probably shorter. Toohey, for example, estimates at least about 400 lines, based on the length of the proem. The poem shares many features of classical didactic poetry: it has an addressee, technical hunting instructions, mythological or narrative panels, and a likely original length longer than the surviving 325 lines.
A key idea in the work is that of “a literature of escape”—a retreat from city life and public affairs into leisure and the countryside. This makes Nemesianus’ Cynegetica stand out as an unusual example within its tradition, which often emphasized work, social duty, or practical instruction.
Nemesianus was influenced by earlier hunting literature in Greek and Latin. Predecessors include Xenophon’s Cynegetica, Arrian’s supplement focusing on greyhound coursing, Oppian’s four-book Cynegetica, and Grattius’ Latin poem. Scholars debate how much Nemesianus knew or imitated these works. Some argue he owes the most to Oppian, rather than to Xenophon or Arrian, and that he may not have closely modeled Grattius. There are also views that Nemesianus did draw on real hunting knowledge, while others think he relied mainly on literary sources. Virgil’s Georgics, especially, is seen as a model, and Nemesianus’ idea of hunting as an escape may echo Virgil’s Eclogue 10.
The Cynegetica is briefly referenced in the Historia Augusta. It was read by Hincmar of Reims in the early 9th century. Three medieval manuscripts of the work survive, with the earliest from around 825. They likely descend from a common lost archetype, and the text is generally thought to be transmitted in an incomplete state. Reasons for this view include a proem that is unusually long for the surviving portion and a promised further description of a Tuscan dog that does not appear in the rest of the text.
The first printed edition of the Cynegetica appeared in Venice in 1534.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 20:54 (CET).