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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 February 2009
The statement of Donatus (or Suetonius) that Vergil wrote the Culex at the age of sixteen (cum esset annorum XVI.) seems to be regarded by most scholars as too good to be true. It is a very long time since it was first suggested that XXVI. should be read for XVI., and the proposal has not yet fallen from favour. The apparent justification of this view is found in a passage of Statius' Genethliacon Lucani (Siluae II. 7), where Calliope is represented as foretelling the literary achievements of Lucan. It is the purpose of the present paper to examine this supposed evidence.
page 225 note 1 I have given here the readings of the Oxford Text, save for one alteration which I have ventured to make in v. 62. For the MS. reading huc modern editors generally read hinc, which is due to an ancient ‘corrector’ I cannot help thinking that Statius wrote hunc (hoc is also possible, but less idiomatic and less likely): ‘This thou shalt dedicate in a loving address to chaste Polla, to be an honour and glory to her.’ There is no reason, apart from our text, to suppose that Lucan wrote a work called Adlocutio ad Pollam. If the reading now suggested is correct, Lucan mast have prefixed to his poem De Incendio Vrbis some verses addressed to his wife, Argentaria Polla.
page 27 note 1 Suetonius is thought to have taken these words to mean ‘and yet how many years remain before I reach the age at which the Culex was composed!’ This is surely an unnatural interpretation. It is much more likely that Lucan meant, ‘and yet how far I have to go before I reach the level of the Culex!' Suetonius’ prejudice against the Annaei may have led him to put a malicious construction upon the words; but the text is very probably corrupt. I hope to return to this point later.