Gaius Rabirius (poet)

Gaius Rabirius was a Roman poet, primarily known for an epic poem concerning the Roman civil wars of the late Republic, specifically the battles of Actium and Alexandria. He flourished in the 1st century BCE, likely during the reign of Augustus.

Very little is known about his life beyond his poetry. His epic, which survives only in fragments, focused on the military achievements of Augustus and likely served as a piece of Augustan propaganda. The surviving fragments, preserved mostly by grammarians, suggest a style that was somewhat rough and uneven, though capable of moments of vivid description. He is sometimes mentioned in conjunction with other poets of the era, such as Virgil and Horace, although his work is generally considered to be of lesser quality and impact.

The subject matter of Rabirius's epic, the civil wars, was a sensitive topic under Augustus, who sought to project an image of peace and stability after decades of conflict. While celebrating Augustus's victories, Rabirius would have needed to navigate the political complexities of the era carefully.

The extant fragments of his work offer a valuable, albeit limited, glimpse into the poetic treatment of historical events during the early Roman Empire and the development of Augustan ideology. Modern scholars continue to analyze these fragments for insights into Roman literary style, political propaganda, and the representation of war and power in Augustan Rome.