Esse and -que in Late Latin prose rhythm

Abstract

Prose rhythm provides insight into two aspects of Late Latin pronunciation. Metrically subordinate esse at sentence end tends not to count towards the clausula, although it has metrical value in penultimate position. Different writers, however, seem to have had different ideas of why forms of esse should not be pronounced, so that some omit it only in elision, others in every case. Against the view of some modern scholars, -que is treated as though it accentuates the previous syllable, even if that syllable is short.

Keywords

• Accentuation
• Clausula
• Penultimate position
• Late Latin