Alcmanian verse

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Alcmanian verse is a verse in poetry written in dactylic tetrameter. It can also be used to describe a couplet written in dactylic hexameter.¹ This is also referred to as Heroic Verse. The Roman poet, Horace, is most commonly attributed to this version. While modern poetry has strayed from this line, the Aeneid uses the style frequently.

The name is derived from the Greek lyrics poet, Alcman.

[edit] Prosody

For scansion, Alcanian verse appears as --/--/--/--/(--)

Examples of Alcanian verse:

Solvitur acris hyems gratavice ²

In the above example, the last foot has been reversed.

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¹Oxford English Dictionary. Entry: Alcmanian

²Bullions, Petere. The Principles of Latin Grammar pp. 320-322