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This webpage reproduces a work of
C. Suetonius Tranquillus
published in the Loeb Classical Library,
1914

The text is in the public domain.

This page has been carefully proofread
and I believe it to be free of errors.
If you find a mistake though,
please let me know!

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 p493  Suetonius
The Life of Tibullus

[Legamen ad paginam Latinam] "Thee too, Tibullus, companion of Vergil, envious death sent in youth to the Elysian fields, that there might be no one to mourn tender loves in elegy, or sing the wars of kings in heroic verse."​1

Albius Tibullus, a Roman knight, remarkable for his good looks and conspicuous for his personal elegance, was devoted above all others to Messala Corvinus the orator. He was his tent companion​2 in the war in Aquitania​3 and was given military prizes.​4 In the judgment of many he holds the first place among writers of elegy. His amatory letters, too, though short are very useful.​5 He died in youth, as is indicated by the epigram written above.

The Loeb Editor's Notes:

1 Written by Domitius Marsus.

❦

2 Cf. Jul. ii.

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3 Messala was sent to Aquitania soon after the battle of Actium (App. B. C. 4.38); he celebrated his triumph in 27 B.C.

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4 See Aug. xxv.3.

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5 This is quite meaningless, so far as anything we know of Tibullus is concerned.

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Page updated: 16 Jul 08