Abstrakt
When translating the Odyssey, Livius Andronicus was facing the same problem as the Czech translators - how to convert the rhythmic scheme of the quantitative hexameter to a language with a different type of accent, i.e. with naturally different prosody. Among the Czech translations we can see the use of quantitative hexameters that violate the nature of the language and that try to adjust the ictus to the natural accent.
Accentual hexameters - suitable for the nature of the Czech (and Latin) language - are also present. Finally, mixed hexameters occur; they are either accentual with licences such as long unaccented syllables in theses, or varying and mixing both accentual and quantitative feet.
Livius could have used the quantitative prosody, yet it seems beyond all understanding why he would violate Latin to create a scheme like this or this, instead of hexameter. On the other hand, the accentual view of Livius's Odussia shows certain qualities that make the reader think that what he hears is hexameter, however mostly spondaic.
The licences that occur in the verses are similar to those in Czech accentual or mixed hexameters. As for Naevius, the analysis of his Saturnians has the same result.
Moreover, it is highly probable that Naevius composed the first original Latin epic poem in the same style as Livius did in order to imitate the Greek epic style.