# Statius — The Divine Comedy character guide

> Statius in The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Statius , Thebaid

**First appearance:** 0058-canto-xxi

## Snapshot

The Roman poet who secretly converted to Christianity, Statius rises from five centuries of purgatorial thirst to walk beside Dante and Virgil.

## Who they are

Statius is the Latin epic poet of the Thebaid who, in Dante's imagining, was secretly baptized and thus saved, though his hidden faith kept him circling Purgatory for centuries. When he finally joins the two travelers he becomes both companion and mirror, a poet who reveres Virgil as a father while surpassing him in grace. His arrival and the earthquake that announces his freedom mark the poem's turn from penitential waiting toward the joy of ascent.

## In the story

### [Canto XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xxi)

The Roman poet who appears as a shade, explains the mountain's trembling, and expresses his deep admiration for Virgil.

### [Canto XXII: The Sixth Circle—The Gluttonous—The Mystic Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xxii)

The Roman poet, now in Purgatory, explains his prodigality and conversion to Christianity through Virgil's works.

### [Canto XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xxiv)

The poet accompanying Dante and Virgil, part of the group moving through Purgatory.

### [Canto XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xxv)

The poet who delivers a theological explanation of embryology and the formation of the soul.

### [Canto XXVII: The Trial of Fire and the Terrestrial Paradise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xxvii)

Statius follows Virgil into the fire after Dante, and later joins them in the ascent to the Terrestrial Paradise.

### [Canto XXXII: The Tree of Knowledge and the Vision of Corruption](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xxxii)

Statius follows with Dante and the lady fair as they walk beside the wheel with the lesser arc.

### [Canto XXXIII: The River Eunoë and Beatrice's Prophecy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xxxiii)

Statius accompanies Dante and Matilda to the river Eunoë.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/endnotes)

Discussed in the context of his speech on the generation of the soul, with commentary from Varchi and Thomas Aquinas.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/statius
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters