Classical World

Statius makes use of Horatian forms and motifs, such as the simple house in the country and the literary help of a friend, but his tone is fervent and sincere, rather than dry and ironic. Statius is also fully aware of Horace’s generic choices, but makes different choices for his own work with no apparent anxiety. With many literary allusions, the poor and humble poet praises the wealth and public accomplishments of Septimius Severus and Vibius Maximus and at the same time shows how like-minded they are in their attitudes to literature, friendship, and wealth.