Abstract
This paper aims to examine the use of the term Silua to name a short poetic composition, of laudatory tone and spontaneous character, from Statius’ five books to the learned encomia by Angelo Poliziano. Based on some considerations on the uses of the term in Antiquity, in Varro, Quintilian and Suetonius, we aim to discuss the characteristics of Statius’ Siluae as reworked by Poliziano. Finally, the continuity and metamorphosis of the term in the poetic field in other vernacular languages is demonstrated through Quevedo’s Silvas.
Keywords:
Silvae; Statius; Angelo Poliziano; Quevedo