Premise: The Thebaid ( ; Latin: "Thēbaïs") is a Latin epic in 12 books written in dactylic hexameter by Publius Papinius Statius (AD c. 45 – c. 96). The poem deals with the Theban cycle and treats the assault of the seven champions of Argos against the city of Thebes.
Hypothesis: Publius Papinius Statius was highly regarded by his peers.