PUBLIUS PAPINIUS STATIUS

PUBLIUS PAPINIUS STATIUS (61-96), a Latin poet, born in Naples; lived at Rome, flourished at court, particularly that of Domitian, whom he flattered, but retired to his native place after defeat in a competition; his chief work is the "Thebaïs," an epic in 12 books, embodying the legends connected with the war against Thebes; he ranks first among the poets of the silver age; a collection of short pieces of his named "Silvæ" have been often reprinted.