ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Augustan literature

Augustan literature is a type of writing that became popular during the 18th century in England. It's named after the reign of King Augustus in ancient Rome, which was known for its peace, stability, and cultural achievements.

In Augustan literature, writers tried to imitate the classical style of ancient Rome and Greece. They wrote in a very specific way, using lots of fancy words and complicated sentences. This was supposed to show off their intelligence and education.

Augustan literature was also marked by a focus on reason, order, and balance. This meant that writers tried to avoid extremes and controversies. They wanted to create a sense of harmony and stability in their writing, just like Augustus did during his reign.

Some famous authors of Augustan literature were Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope, and Samuel Johnson. They wrote essays, poetry, and even political satire, which made fun of politicians and society in a clever way.

Overall, Augustan literature was a fancy and sophisticated type of writing that tried to imitate the cultures of ancient Rome and Greece.