Who was Propertius' main patron?

Propertius' main patron was Maecenas, an influential supporter of the arts during the early Roman Empire. Maecenas was known for his cultural patronage and played a significant role in promoting the works of several prominent poets, including Propertius himself. His support provided Propertius with the resources and societal standing necessary to develop his poetic career, allowing him to explore themes of love, politics, and personal experience within his elegiac poetry.

Maecenas, a close advisor to Emperor Augustus, not only gathered talented individuals around him but also fostered an environment where literature could flourish. His connection with Propertius exemplified the relationship between poets and patrons in ancient Rome, where the success of a poet could often depend on the favor of powerful figures.

Other figures mentioned, such as Virgil, Horace, and Ovid, were contemporaries of Propertius and were also esteemed poets of the time, but they were not his primary patrons. Each had their own relationships and patrons, but Maecenas is the one most closely associated with Propertius's work and development as a poet.