Pretexts

Abstract The chapter explores the literary context in which Sulpicia grew up. Sulpicia’s father and uncle were leading authors and critics in the triumviral period, when Messalla also emerged as an important literary patron. Another important context for Sulpicia’s literary interests can be seen in the impact of Meleager’s Garland on Latin poetry from Valerius Aedituus through Catullus and his friends to the elegists Gallus, Propertius, Tibullus, and Ovid. Of particular significance, was Meleager’s inclusion of female authors from Sappho to Nossis in his Garland, as they supplied potential models for Sulpicia’s composition of erotic verse. These famous Greek female authors were on display in statuary form in Pompey’s Portico and their poetry circulated in ancient Rome. Evidence also survives from the first century bce for other ancient Roman women’s contributions to classical Latin literature.