(Publius Papinius), a celebrated Latin poet of the first century, was born at Naples, and was the son of Statius, a native of Epirus, who went to Rome to teach poetry and eloquence, and had Domitian for his scholar. Statius the poet also obtained the favour and friendship of that prince; and dedicated to him his Thebais and Achillies; the first in twelve books, and the last in two. He died at Naples about the year 100. Besides the above poems, there are also still extant his Sylva, in five books; the style of which is purer, more agreeable, and more natural, than that of his Thebais and Achillies.