Statius: Silvae [Paperback]

In this delightful homage to the now unfashionable Neapolitan poet, two contemporary poets who share a fascination with his work present their selection of fresh versions from his best-known collection. In their introductions they explore the background to his work and the qualities, literary and human, which drew them to him.

 

Publius Papinius Statius (c. 45-96 AD) was a prize-winning poet whose reputation remained high until well into the Middle Ages. He featured both in Chaucer’sHouse of Fame(as `Stace’) and in Dante’sDivine Comedy, where he is called `il dolce poeta’.

 

Anthony Howell, born in 1945, is well known as a performance artist and as poet. He has published eleven collections of poetry, several – including hisSelected Poems(2000) andDancers in Daylight(2003) – with Anvil, as well as a novel and other prose works.

 

Bill Shepherd, born in 1935, is a therapeutic counsellor.His Horace: The Complete Odes and EpodesandPropertius: The Poemswere published as Penguin Classics in the 1980s. Several collections of his poetry have appeared, including three from Anvil. His most recent isMother’s Milk(Menard, 2006).

 

Publius Papinius Statius(circa 45-96 A.D) was born in Naples. He was a prize-winning poet who won the poetry prize at the Augustalia and three times at the Alban Games. His reputation remained high until well into the Middle Ages. He featured both in Chaucer'sHouse of Fame(as "Stace") and in Dante'sDivine Comedy,where he is called "il dolce poeta".

Bill Shepherdwas born in 1935 and educated at Cambridge. Before retiring he worked in industry. His excellent classical credentials were established by his critically acclaimed translations,Horace: The Complete Odes and Epodes, andPropertilãê