The Elegies of Tibullus: 'Soon Death, with shadow-mantled head, will come''

Albius Tibullus was born around 55 BC. Little is known about his life. Later references to his life are often short and many are of a doubtful factual basis.

His chief friend and patron was the orator, poet, statesman and commander Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus, who is most noted for putting down a revolt in the Aquitaine, in modern day France. Tibullus may have fought for him or been part of his inner circle arounds that time.

The only certain works that survive are his two poetry books ...