Tiberianus (poet)


Tiberianus was a late Latin writer and poet, surviving only in fragments, who experimented with various metrical schemes.
He is a possible candidate for the authorship of the Pervigilium Veneris.

Identity

Tiberianus has traditionally been identified with Annius Tiberianus, the "eloquent" governor of Gaul in 336 AD mentioned by Jerome.
An earlier candidate is however the prefect of Rome 303-4, Iunius Tiberianus.

Known poems

Four poems are known to have been written by Tiberianus:
Spring Day ; an attack on the power of gold; a hymn; and a description of a dying bird.

Other writings

Alan Cameron in the 20thC strengthened the case for his authorship through thematic and vocabulary parallels.

Influences

Tiberianus was influenced by Silver Age poets such as Ovid and Statius, and also by Titus Calpurnius Siculus, as well as by the prose of Apuleius.
Read and quoted by Fulgentius and Augustine,, his metrical experiments may also have influenced such Christian poets as Hilary of Poitiers and Prudentius.