ABSTRACT
Rutilius Gallicus, is directed not only to the Emperor, but to a wider audience who is encouraged to accept Statius’ declaration about the Emperor’s divine status. No different is the tone with which Statius composes four poems expressly dedicated to the Emperor celebrating Domitian’s military and monumental accomplishments. Statius’ mythological and ecphrastic approach drives a specific and deliberate characterization of the Emperor as a gende yet commanding leader of Rome. Statius’ poetic approach to other addressees is no less self-assured. It is quite striking indeed to find Statius addressing private individuals with the same degree of exuberance and sublimity as he does the Emperor. Statius’ literary auctoritas, implies not only imperial approval, but also a sanctioned legitimacy that endows his words with a power capable of exerting influence and conveying social meaning.
