Modestus
1. Works Libellus de Vocabulis Rei Mililaris
The author of a Libellus de Vocabulis Rei Mililaris, addressed to the emperor Tacitus. It contains an explanation of some common terms, and an outline of the system pursued at that period in classifying and disciplining soldiers. It is very brief, and presents no features of interest or importance. The compiler has been most unjustly charged with copying Vegetius, who flourished nearly a century larer under Valentinianus. Editions
Modestus first appeared in a 4to volume without date and without name of pace or printer, but which, according to the best bibliographical authorities, was printed at Rome by Jo. Scharener de Bopardia about 1474, and contains also Pomponius Laetus de Magistratibus Urbis.
The tract was subsequently included in all the chief collections of Scriptores de Re Militari and appears under its best form in the edition of that Corpus published with the notes of Stevechius. modius, and Schriverius at Wesel (Vesalia clivoram). 8vo. 1680.
2. The name of Modestns is pretixed to three elogiac distichs in the Latin Anthololgy, the words of the dying Lucretia. The verses are very bad, and we know nothing of the author. (Burmann, Adthol. Lat. 2.171, No. 557, Meyer.) [W.R]
a freedman of Julius Ilyginus, who was himself a freedman of the emperor Augustus [Hyginus], followed in the footsteps of his patron, and like him became distinguished as a Roman grammarian. He wrote a work entitled Quaestiones Confusae, in at least two books, containing, as it would seem, discussions on various grammatical and antiquarian subjects. (Suet. de Illustr. Gramm. 20; Geil. 3.9; Macrob. Saturn. 1.4, 10, 16.)
(1) Iulius. A Roman grammarian of the first century A.D. (Gell.iii.9.1).
(2) A Roman military writer, whose treatise on military terms (De Vocabulis Rei Militaris) is still extant. It is dedicated to the emperor Tacitus (A.D. 275).