Silius Italicus

Lorenzo Severin (University of St Andrews)

Ed. by Martine Diepenbroek, University of Johannesburg
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.1.2: Ancient Roman Writing and Culture (Republic and Empire), -750-476.
Vol. editors: Eleni Bozia (University of Florida), Anca Dan (École Practique de Hautes Études PSL), Martine Diepenbroek (University of Johannesburg), William John Dominik (University of Otago), Giacomo Fedeli (University of Exeter), Victoria Fendel (University of Oxford), Thomas Habinek (University of Southern California), Emily Kneebone (University of Nottingham), Elodie Paillard (University of Sydney), Sophia Papaioannou (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), Guendalina Daniela Maria Taietti (University of Liverpool), Jula Wildberger (American University of Paris)

Dates

Born c. 26
Died c. 101
Activity c. 40-c. 101

Places

Born in Ancient Rome (Republic & Empire)
Active in Ancient Rome (Republic & Empire)

Activities

Primary

Poet

Resources

Introduction

Tiberius Catius Asconius Silius Italicus [c. 26–c. 101 CE] is mainly known for his 17-book epic poem on the Second Punic War, the Punica, to which he devoted his later years. After a successful public life as orator, consul (68 CE), and proconsul of Asia (c. 77 CE), he moved from Rome to Campania, where he possessed a number of luxurious villas. He lived a prosperous life, enjoying the company of friends and clients, amongst whom was the poet Martial, giving public lectures of his own works, and, according to ancient accounts, worshipping his favourite literary model Vergil almost to a religious extent. Silius died in his villa at Naples at the beginning of the 2nd century CE (c. 101), by starvation whilst fighting a terminal illness.

Birth and early life; larger social context

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2868 words

Citation: Severin, Lorenzo. "Silius Italicus". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 17 January 2026 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=4070, accessed 09 June 2026.]