Litteras Graecas, Athenis, non Lilybaei, Latinas Romae, non in Sicilia (Cic., div. in Caec. 39): The attitude of Latin-speaking authors towards Sicilian Greek-Latin bilingualism

This paper explores the perceptions of Greek-Latin bilingualism in Sicily as reflected in Roman literature. In the commentaries on Cicero's oratio in Caecilium, we find the following observation: “Athenis, non Lilybaei, Romae, non in Sicilia.” Dicit illum Graecas litteras, simul Latinas in Sicilia didicisse, in ea insula quae neutra bene utatur (Ps. Ascon., div. in Caec. p. 197, 24 Stangl). This brief remark by the commentator raises the question of how Roman authors perceived the value of the Greek-Latin bilingualism practised in Sicily. Latin literature provides limited insight into the linguistic issues of Sicily. Despite the limited number of sources available, an assessment of the Roman authors' attitudes towards Sicilian linguistic practices can be made considering sociolinguistic findings and broader studies on multilingualism in the Roman Empire. A comparative approach must consider both the sociocultural context of the writing and the objective pursued by the work. Ultimately, an examination of the writings of authors such as Plautus, Cicero and Varro reveals a multifaceted and nuanced perspective. These authors present a range of views, including anecdotal accounts of linguistic practices, critiques of the quality of Sicilian Greek-Latin bilingualism, and, sometimes, laudatory remarks. This illustrates the extent of Sicilian bilingualism, which has been the focus of research by scholars such as Kalle Korhonen. It also demonstrates the discourse of Roman cultural elites, who sought to distinguish themselves and, in doing so, display a relationship of domination through what Emmanuelle Valette-Cagnac calls “le grec imaginaire des Romains”.