Which author was the first to adapt Greek hexameter verse into Latin?

The correct answer is Quintus Ennius because he is recognized as the first significant Latin poet to adopt and transform Greek hexameter verse into Latin poetry. Ennius was active in the 3rd century BCE and is often referred to as the "father of Latin poetry." His most important work, the "Annales," showcases this adaptation, using the Greek meter to convey historical and epic themes, thus establishing a foundational style that would influence future Roman poets.

His pioneering use of hexameter allowed subsequent poets, like Virgil and Ovid, to experiment with the form and enrich Latin literature. Ennius's work marked a significant cultural shift, as it symbolized the incorporation of Greek literary traditions into Roman society, laying the groundwork for the literary achievements of later generations.

In contrast, the other authors mentioned, while significant in their own rights, did not hold this pioneering role in adapting hexameter verse. Gnaeus Naevius contributed to early Latin drama and epic poetry, but he did not primarily focus on hexameter from Greek forms. Livius Andronicus was indeed an early adapter of Greek literature in Rome, but he is better known for translating Greek works than for innovating in meter like Ennius. Titus