Latin satirical poet, was born some time between A.D. 50 and 70 and
died after 127. He may have come from Aquinum (Aquino) in central
Italy. He was the son or ward of a rich freedman (a class he attacks in
his writings) and practiced declamation until middle age - which seems
likely enough in view of the characteristics of his literary style.
Like his friend Martial, who praised his eloquence, Juvenal was for
some time extremely poor and lived at Rome as a dependent of wealthy
men; but in due course he acquired a small property at Tibur (Tivoli).
Several ancient sources state that he was banished for a time for
causing offense to the actor Paris, a favorite of the emperor Domitian
(81-96). The banishment was said to have taken the form of a military
appointment to Egypt, where he died. None of these details, however,
are certain, although the knowledge of Egyptian customs he displays in
his writings makes it probable that he had a personal knowledge of the
country. Juvenal left 5 books of hexameter satires, comprising 16
poems.
