PROPERTIUS (Sextus Aurelius), a celebrated Latin poet, born at Merania, a city of Umbria, now
called Bevagna, in the duchy of Spoleto. He went to Rome after the death of his father, a Roman knight, who had been put to death by order of Augustus, for having followed Antony's party during the triumvirate. Propertius in a short time acquired great reputation by his wit and abilities, and had a considerable share in the esteem of Mæcenas and Cornelius Gallus. He had also Ovid, Tibullus, Bassus, and the other ingenious men of his time, for his friends. He died at Rome 19 B. C. He is printed with almost all the editions of Tibullus and Catullus: but the best edition of him is that which was given separately of him by Janus Brouckhuus at Amsterdam 1702, in 4to. and again in 1714, 4to. cum curis secundi ejusdem. We have four books of his Elegies or Amours with a lady called Hestia, or Hostilia, to whom he gave the name of Cynthia.