What period marks the silver age of Latin literature?

The correct identification of the silver age of Latin literature spans primarily from the 1st century BC to the Christian period. This period is characterized by a rich production of literature following the Golden Age, which itself featured renowned authors like Virgil and Horace. The Silver Age saw significant developments in poetic and prose forms, with notable figures such as Seneca, Petronius, and Juvenal making substantial contributions.

The transition into the Silver Age highlights shifts in themes, styles, and societal reflections within the literature, as authors began to explore more diverse subjects and address the complexities of Roman life during a time of political change and cultural evolution. Many of the works from this time exhibit more personal and rhetorical styles, diverging from the ideals of the earlier, more heroic narratives of the Golden Age.

As such, the time frame encompasses both the late republican transformations in literature and leads into the early imperial phase, influencing a broad array of literary genres and introducing new forms of expression that would lay the groundwork for future literary traditions.