_poema condere, facere, componere_—to write poetry.
_versus facere, scribere_—to write poetry.
_carmina , versus fundere_ (De Or. 3. 50)—to write poetry with facility.
_carmen epicum_—epic poetry.
_poeta epicus_—an epic, heroic poet.
_poesis scaenica_—dramatic poetry.
_poeta scaenicus_—a dramatic poet.
_scriptor tragoediarum, comoediarum_, also (_poeta_) _tragicus,
comicus_[1]—a writer of tragedy, comedy.
_scriptor fabularum_[2]—a writer of fables.
_divino quodam instinctu concitari, ferri_ (Div. 1. 31. 66)—to feel
inspired.
_divino quodam spiritu inflatus_ or _tactus_—inspired.
_carmen, versum agere_—to recite a poem, line with appropriate action.
_carmen recitare_—to read a piece of verse with expression.
_carmen pronuntiare_—to recite a piece of verse (without gestures).
_carmen inconditum_—a rough poem; an extempore effusion.
_se conferre ad poesis studium_—to devote oneself to poetry.
_poetica laude florere_—to be distinguished as a poet.
_poesis genus ad Romanos transferre_—to transplant to Rome one of the
branches of poesy.
_alicuius laudes versibus persequi_—to sing the praises of some one
(not _canere aliquem_)
_alicuius laudes (virtutes) canere_—to sing the praises of some one
(not _canere aliquem_)
_alicuius res gestas versibus ornare, celebrare_—to celebrate some
one's exploits in song.
_ut ait Homerus_—as Homer sings (not _canit_).
_numerus poetice vinctus_—poetical rhythm.
_artem musicam_[3] _discere, tractare_—to learn, study music.
_nervorum et tibiarum cantus_—instrumental music.
_vocum et fidium (nervorum) cantus_—vocal and instrumental music.
_docere aliquem fidibus_—to teach some one to play a stringed
instrument.
_fidibus discere_ (De Sen. 8. 26)—to learn to play a stringed
instrument.
_fidibus canere_—to play on the lyre.
_pellere nervos in fidibus_—to strike the strings of the lyre.
_tibias inflare_—to play the flute.
_tibiis_ or _tibiā canere_—to play the flute.
_ad tibiam_ or _ad tibicinem canere_—to sing to a flute accompaniment.
_(homo) symphoniacus_—a singer, member of a choir.
_symphōnīa canit_ (Verr. 3. 44. 105)—the orchestra is playing.
_acroāma_[4]—a professional performer.
_modi_ (De Or. 1. 42. 187)—the melody.
_modos facere_—to compose, put to music.
_numerus, numeri_—the tune; rhythm.
_numerose cadere_—to have a rhythmical cadence.
_ars pingendi, pictura_ (De Or. 2. 16. 69)—the art of painting.
_ars fingendi_—the art of sculpture.
_signa et tabulae (pictae)_—statues and pictures.
_simulacrum e marmore facere_—to make a marble statue.
_statuas_[5] _inscribere_ (Verr. 2. 69. 167)—to put an inscription on
statues.
[1] _tragicus, comicus_ as adjectives = occurring in tragedy,
comedy—e.g. _Orestes tragicus; senes comici_. Comic in the ordinary
sense = _ridiculus_, c.f. _homo ridiculus_.
[2] Not _fabulator_, which = a gossip, teller of anecdotes.
[3] _musica (-orum)_ is also used for music, cf. _in musicis se
conterere_.
[4] _acroama_ = originally anything performed to give pleasure, then a
performer. The Greeks applied the term to music; the Romans used it of
any professional performer who entertained guests while at table.
[5] _statua_ is not used of statues of the gods, but _signum,
simulacrum_.