Valerius Flaccus—Poet of Romance

Extract

The period of the Flavian emperors (A.D. 69–96) was distinguished by a notable revival of epic poetry. No fewer than three poets, whose work is extant, flourished contemporaneously—Statius, Valerius, and Silius. It was indeed an age of literary figures, including Martial, Pliny the Younger, Quin-tilian, and Tacitus. Statius and Valerius are interesting as epic poets in that they broke away from the tradition of national and patriotic poetry prescribed for their art from the time of Ennius. Silius, on the other hand, remained true to the convention of Latin epic, and, in an age when the stimulus of national pride was losing its effect on poetry, produced a long poem that lacked originality and inspiration.