Page "Statius" Paragraph 4

Less is known of the events of Statius ' life.

He was born c. 45 CE From his boyhood he was victorious in poetic contests many times at his native Naples and three times at the Alban Festival, where he received the golden crown from the hand of the emperor Domitian who had instituted the contest.

For the Alban Festival, Statius composed a poem on the German and Dacian campaigns of Domitian which Juvenal lampoons in his seventh satire.

He is thought to have moved to Rome c. 90 after his father's death where he published his acclaimed epic poem the Thebaid c. 92.

In the capital, Statius seems to have made many connections among the Roman aristocracy and court, and he was probably supported through their patronage.

Statius produced the first three books of occasional poetry, his Silvae, which were published in 93 CE, which sketch his patrons and acquaintances of this period and mention his attendance at one of Domitian's Saturnalia banquets.

He competed in the great Capitoline competition, although it is not known in what year, although 94 has been suggested.

Statius failed to win the coveted prize, a loss he took very hard.

The disappointment may have prompted his return to Naples around 94, the home of his youth.

In existence is a poem he addressed to his wife, Claudia, the widow of a famous singer who had a musically talented daughter by her first husband, on this occasion ( Silv.

3. 5 ).