"Punicorum Libri Septemdecim" by Tiberius Catius Silius Italicus is a Latin epic poem written between approximately 83-96 AD. The longest surviving Latin poem from antiquity, it chronicles the Second Punic War through twelve thousand lines of verse, focusing on the legendary conflict between Carthaginian general Hannibal and Roman commander Scipio Africanus. Drawing heavily on Virgil's style and Livy's history, Silius transforms Rome's greatest military struggle into epic poetry, weaving divine intervention and prophetic visions into historical narrative.