Silius Italicus quotes - page 2

Silius Italicus was a Roman senator, orator, and epic poet, best known for his poem "Punica." His work is the longest surviving epic poem in Latin literature, chronicling the Second Punic War. He is remembered for his literary achievements and influence on later Roman writers. Here are 37 of his quotes:

War calls for strategy: valour is less praiseworthy in a commander.

Silius Italicus

So, when a pebble breaks the surface of a motionless pool, in its first movements it forms tiny rings; and next, while the water glints and shimmers under the growing force, it swells the number of the circles over the rounding pond, until at last one extended circle reaches with wide-spreading compass from bank to bank.

Silius Italicus

Even so a shepherd, seeking safety for his flock, lures the wolves at night by the bleating of a tethered lamb into the pitfall masked by a slender covering of leafage.

Silius Italicus

Then the shouting of the sailors, which had long been rising from the open sea, filled all the shore with its sound; and, when the rowers all together brought the oars back sharply to their breasts, the sea foamed under the stroke of a hundred blades.

Silius Italicus

My attendants are Honour and Praise, Renown and Glory with joyful countenance, and Victory with snow-white wings like mine.

Silius Italicus

Here I begin the war by which the fame of the Aeneadae was raised to heaven and proud Carthage submitted to the rule of Italy.

Silius Italicus

That crystal river keeps its pools of blue water free from all stain above its shallow bed, and slowly draws along its fair stream of greenish hue. One would scarce believe it was moving; so softly along its shady banks, while the birds sing sweet in rivalry, it leads along in a shining flood its waters that tempt to sleep.

Silius Italicus

Nowhere do men remain loyal for long when Fortune proves unstable.

Silius Italicus

Neither the wrath of Heaven nor the attacks of enemies are as fatal as Pleasure alone when she infects the mind.

Silius Italicus

Deforme sub armis vana superstitio est: dea sola in pectore Virtus bellantum viget.

Silius Italicus