In point of fact this problem had been partially solved in the early days of the zgth century, thanks to the sagacious guesses of the German philologist Grotefend.
In these remains of the tragedies of Ennius we can trace indications of strong sympathy with the nobler and bolder elements of character, of vivid realization of impassioned situations, and of sagacious observation of life.
Some of the latter, included among the occasional works, are sagacious and prudent and deserve careful study.