Note 1353 — Chapter V · SILIUS ITALICUS
Reading edition
The conventionality of the similes is emphasized by their frequency, and their effectiveness proportionally lessened. At least 15 occur in Bk. VII., 13 in Bk. X., 11 in Bk. XVII. They are sometimes elaborated to 6 or 7 lines, sometimes restricted to a few words, e.g. “ut torrens,” XV. 712, the first of 5 similes in 3 lines.