Homer
The Greek poet to whom the Iliad and the Odyssey are attributed.
The Plague at My Country House, and a Life for a Life
Aelius Aristides, Sacred Tales II and V · early 170s CE (plague events of the mid-160s, probably 165 or 166)
τὸ μέντοι τοῦ Ὁμήρου κἀν τούτοις εἶπες ἂν, τὸ νόος γε μὲν ἔμπεδος ἦεν.
Even then, you could have said of me what Homer said: "But his mind stayed steady."
Where the months got their names
Macrobius, Saturnalia 1.12–14 (early fifth century CE), in the edition of Franz Eyssenhardt (Leipzig, 1893) · early fifth century CE; the dialogue is set in the 380s
alii putant Romulum uel altiore prudentia uel certi numinis prouidentia ita primos ordinasse menses ut, cum praecedens Marti esset dicatus deo plerumque hominum necatori, ut Homerus naturae conscius ait Ἆρες Ἄρες βροτολοιγὲ μιαιφόνε τειχεσιβλῆτα secundus Veneri dicaretur, quae uim eius quasi benefica leniret.
Others think that Romulus, through deeper wisdom or the guidance of some god, arranged the first months so that one would balance the other. The first was dedicated to Mars, a god who most often brings death to men. As Homer, who understood his nature, says, "Ares, Ares, ruin of men, stained with blood, stormer of walls!" So the second was dedicated to Venus, whose kindness might soften his violence.