Statius, Publius Papinius

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's House of Fame (as 'Stace') and in Dante's Divine Comedy, where he is called 'il dolce poeta'.