Publius Papinius Statius lived from the 40s to the mid-90s C.E. Born inNaples, he was the son of a professional poet and teacher. In his teens he moved toRome, and there, some years later, he embarked on his own career in poetry.Published near the end of his life, the Silvae is a collection of witty and engagingoccasional poems, but beyond their verbal artistry lies their importance as socialdocuments, contemporary witnesses to the Roman world during the reign of Domitian.The poems open a literary window on the material culture of the age and providevaluable insight into the lives of the Roman elite. Betty Rose Nagle's gracefultranslation brings the world of Statius alive, making accessible this importantliterary gem. Her Introduction locates Statius in his historical and literarycontext, considers the importance of his Silvae, and gives a brief history of thetext.