Maecenas

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The Word of the Day for November 6 is:=20

Maecenas   \mih-SEE-nus\   noun
      : a generous patron especially of literature or art

Example sentence:
          Donations from Maecenases of Yiddish literature have greatly e=
nriched the library=E2=80=99s collection.=20

Did you know?
     Although the ancient Roman Gaius Maecenas was a well-known diplomat=
 and counselor to Emperor Augustus, it was his munificent patronage of l=
iterature that immortalized his name as a word for =E2=80=9Ca generous p=
atron.=E2=80=9D A writer himself, Maecenas knew of the power of poetry a=
nd viewed it as a way to glorify Augustus=E2=80=99s regime. Among the po=
ets he patronized were the celebrated Virgil and Horace -- both of whom =
he befriended. Maecenas has also been credited with encouraging both wri=
ters to focus more on topics of public interest, such as affairs of stat=
e.





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