elocutio novella

Latin prose style

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

Elocutio novella was a Latin prose style that emerged during the later period of ancient Latin literature. It is characterized by a blend of archaic words and colloquial speech. This style is best exemplified in the works of Apuleius, who lived around the 2nd century AD. Other notable writers who utilized this style include Aulus Gellius and Macrobius. The period also saw a rise in Christian literature, which often overlapped with and surpassed pagan works in prose.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Marcus Cornelius Fronto
The resulting elocutio novella (“new elocution”) was often artificial and pedantic, but it had widespread influence and gave new vitality to Latin prose writing.
Read More
The resulting elocutio novella (“new elocution”) was often artificial and pedantic, but it had widespread influence and gave new vitality to Latin prose writing.
Read More

Latin literature
Later writers
Elocutio novella, a blend of archaisms and colloquial speech, is seen to best advantage in Apuleius (born about 125). Other writers of note were Aulus Gellius and Macrobius. The 4th century ad was the age of the grammarians and commentators, but in prose some of…
Read More
Elocutio novella, a blend of archaisms and colloquial speech, is seen to best advantage in Apuleius (born about 125). Other writers of note were Aulus Gellius and Macrobius. The 4th century ad was the age of the grammarians and commentators, but in prose some of…
Read More