Publius Papinius Statius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Statius
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | c. AD 45 Naples |
| Died | c. AD 96 Naples |
| Occupation | Poet |
| Nationality | Roman |
Publius Papinius Statius (around 45 to 96 AD) was a Roman poet. He was born in Naples, Italy.
Statius is best known for his long poem called Thebaid. This poem was published in 92 AD. It tells a story similar to an old Greek play called Seven Against Thebes by Aeschylus. The Thebaid is about a big fight between seven cities and the city of Thebes.
He also wrote many shorter poems for different events. These poems are known as Silvae today. They give us a peek into what life was like at the court of the Roman Emperor Domitian.
Even though Statius is not very famous today, he was quite well-known during his own time. He even appears as a character in a famous old book called the Divine Comedy.
Contents
His Life and Times
Statius lived during the time of the Roman Empire. He was born in Naples, a city in southern Italy. His father was also a poet and a teacher. This helped Statius learn a lot about poetry from a young age.
He moved to Rome, the capital of the empire, to become a professional poet. In Rome, he gained the support of important people, including Emperor Domitian. This support was very helpful for his career.
His Main Works
The Thebaid
The Thebaid is an epic poem. This means it is a very long poem that tells a heroic story. Statius worked on the Thebaid for many years. It has twelve books, which are like chapters.
The poem describes a myth from ancient Greece. It tells the story of two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, who fight over the throne of Thebes. Their conflict leads to a huge war. Seven heroes attack Thebes to help Polynices.
The Silvae
The Silvae are different from the Thebaid. They are a collection of shorter poems. The word Silvae means "forests" or "raw material." This suggests they were written quickly.
These poems cover many different topics. Statius wrote them for special occasions. He wrote about weddings, birthdays, and even the death of friends. They also describe buildings and artworks. The Silvae give us a lot of information about daily life and culture in Roman times.
Statius's Legacy
Statius was an important poet in his era. His work influenced many writers who came after him. For example, the famous Italian poet Dante Alighieri included Statius in his Divine Comedy. This shows that Statius was still remembered and respected centuries later.
His poems help us understand Roman society. They show us the values and interests of people living under the Roman Empire.
Images for kids
-
The Thebaid describes the siege of Thebes by the seven Argive champions
See also
In Spanish: Estacio para niños
