«Egregius formaque animisque». Un Marcello “virgiliano” in Stazio, Silvae IV 4

In silu. IV 4 Statius outlines an encomiastic portrait of Vitorius Marcellus alluding to Virgil’s description of the young Marcus Claudius Marcellus in Aen. VI. Statius not only recalls textual elements form the Aeneis, but also shapes a character coherent with Virgil’s conception of uirtus, so that Vitorius Marcellus appears to be a Virgilian hero, excellent because of his physical characteristics and aptitude for war as well as his moral qualities: egregius formaque animisque.