Quintus Sulpicius Maximus

The young Quintus, probably the son of a freedman associated with the gens Sulpicii,[1] took part in the poetry competition which formed part of the third edition of the Ludi Capitolini in 94.

The Ludi had been founded by Domitian in 86 to celebrate the restoration of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus.

Quintus' event was an improvisation category, in which competitors had to compose a poem in Ancient Greek on the theme of the myth of Phaethon.

Quintus' poem is preserved on a memorial stele, originally on the Porta Salaria, and now in the Centrale Montemartini.

[2] According to the memorial, the 12-year-old Quintus died of overwork shortly after the competition.