Roman poet Publius Papinius Statius, writing under the patronage of Domitian, pens occasional verses, Silvae (“Forests”) and two popular epics: the Thebaid, on the legendary war between the Theban brothers Eteocles and Polynices, and the unfinished Achilleid, on the youth of Achilles.

Statius' poetry is very popular in his lifetime, although he is not without his critics who apparently have problems with his ex tempore style.

Juvenal is thought to extensively lampoon Statius' type of court poetry in his fourth satire on the turbot of Domitian, but he also mentions the immense popularity of Statius' recitations in Satire 7.82ff.

Statius dies at Naples in 96.