Statius, in full Publius Papinius Statius   (born ad 45—died
96), one of the principal Roman epic and lyric poets of the
Silver Age of Latin literature (ad 18–133). His occasional
poems, collected under the title Silvae (“Forests”), apart from
their literary merit, are valuable for their description of the
life style of a wealthy and fashionable class—the liberti—during
the reign of the emperor Domitian.  His father was also a poet,
and Statius seems to have been trained as one from childhood.
Little is known of his life. He lived at Rome and was a court
poet under Domitian, who awarded him a prize in 89 or 90. He
was, however, unsuccessful in the Capitoline competition at
Rome, probably on its third celebration in 94, and shortly
afterward returned to Neapolis.  The role of court poet seems to
have suited Statius, who used without scruple the flattery that
was inevitable under Domitian and exploited it in a way that
suited his own nature. He was talented, and his poetic
expression, despite its faults, is ric