When did Publius Papinius Statius write the Silvae collection?
Publius Papinius Statius wrote the Silvae between 89 and 96 CE. The first three books appeared together after 93 CE, one year following his epic poem Thebaid.
Questions about Silvae
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What does the title Silvae mean in Latin according to Quintilian?
In Latin silvae means both forest and material. Quintilian used this term to describe draft poetry composed impromptu during moments of strong inspiration before revision into polished verse.
Which Roman emperor dominates the content of the Silvae collection?
Domitian fills the Silvae collection dominating its content through commemorated construction projects administration and court circle. Many addressees come from wealthy privileged class of landowners and politicians dictating poem needs.
Who rediscovered the M manuscript containing the Silvae and when was it found?
The Silvae were rediscovered by Poggio Bracciolini Library Reichenau Abbey around 1417 along Punica Silius Italicus. Manuscript contains Silvae together poetry Silius Italicus Marcus Manilius likely copied ancestor manuscript lost discovered Bracciolini Reichenau Abbey.
How long did Statius take to compose individual poems in the Silvae?
Statius describes his method in the preface to Book 1 stating they streamed from his pen in the heat of the moment as pleasurable haste emerging from his bosom one by one. He adds that none took more than two days to compose.