— Ch. 1 · Family And Early Life —
Statius.
~7 min read · Ch. 1 of 7
Publius Papinius Statius grew up in the Bay of Naples during the early years of the first century. His father, a native of Velia, moved to Rome and taught with marked success before returning to Naples. The elder Statius competed in poetic contests at the Augustalia and the Nemean, Pythian, and Isthmian games throughout his life. Young Publius won several poetic contests at his native Naples from boyhood to adulthood. He received the golden crown from the hand of Emperor Domitian at the Alban Festival three times. The poet's father was a Roman eques who may have lost his status due to money troubles. At Naples, he taught Greek and Roman literature to many pupils destined for religious offices in Rome. He died in 79 AD, leaving his son to navigate the literary world alone. From Pliny the Younger's Letters, scholars deduce that Statius also wrote under the pseudonym of Propertius.
Career And Patronage
Statius is thought to have moved to Rome after his father's death in 79. There he published his acclaimed epic poem the Thebaid between 80 and 92. In the capital, Statius made many connections among the Roman aristocracy and court. He was probably supported through their patronage. Statius produced the first three books of occasional poetry, his Silvae, which were published in 93. These works sketch his patrons and acquaintances of this period. They mention his attendance at one of Domitian's Saturnalia banquets. He competed in the great Capitoline competition, though it is not known in what year, although 94 has been suggested. Statius failed to win the coveted prize, a loss he took very hard. The disappointment may have prompted his return to Naples, the home of his youth. There survives a poem he addressed on this occasion to his wife, Claudia. She was the widow of a famous singer who had a musically talented daughter by her first husband.The Thebaid Epic
Based on Statius's own testimony, the Thebaid was written between c. 80 and 92, beginning when the poet was around 35. The work is thought to have been published in 91 or 92. The poem is divided into twelve books in imitation of Virgil's Aeneid and is composed in dactylic hexameter. In the epilogue, Statius acknowledges his debt to Virgil while considering the Thebaid his magnum opus. The poem opens with the disgraced Oedipus' curse on his two sons, Eteocles and Polyneices. Jupiter plans a war between Thebes and Argos, although Juno begs him not to incite it. Polyneices in exile fights with Tydeus at Adrastus' palace. The two are entertained and marry Adrastus' daughters. In Book 6, the Argives perform games for the dead child, instituting the Nemean Games. In Book 7, Amphiaraus is swallowed in the earth during battle. Tydeus kills Melanippus and eats his head before dying himself. Menoeceus sacrifices himself to save Thebes while Jupiter kills Capaneus with a thunderbolt. Polyneices and Eteocles join in single combat and kill each other. Jocasta kills herself and Creon assumes power. Theseus musters an army and kills Creon. Modern critics have been divided over interpretations of the epic's tone since the nineteenth century.