Thebaid IX

by Publius Papinius Statius

The epic poem Thebaid was composed by Statius around 80-92 A.D. in twelve books and concerns the expedition of the Seven against Thebes in support of the attempt by Oedipus's son Polyneices to recover the throne from his brother Eteocles. Book IX is set in the midst of the fighting before the eventual death of the two brothers. This new edition includes apparatus criticus, a translation, commentary, and an extensive introduction--which contains sections of Statius's life and works; a summary of the epic, themes, characters, and poetry; and an explanation of the poem's great popularity in the Middle Ages.

280 pages, Hardcover

First published May 30, 1991

About the author

Publius Papinius Statius (Greek: Πόπλιος Παπίνιος Στάτιος; /ˈsteɪʃiəs/, Latin: [ˈstaːtiʊs];[a] c. 45 – c. 96) was a Latin poet of the 1st century CE. His surviving poetry includes an epic in twelve books, the Thebaid; a collection of occasional poetry, the Silvae; and an unfinished epic, the Achilleid. He is also known for his appearance as a guide in the Purgatory section of Dante's epic poem, the Divine Comedy.