Publius Papinius Statius 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. 40 – 96; died at about 56. Alive at the same time as Paul the Apostle, Plutarch, Ptolemy, Nero, and Seneca. Wiki link