Mystery poet …

… The Elegies of Maximianus - Reviewed by Gilbert Wesley Purdy - Eclectica Magazine v23n1. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)

What little evidence there is on either count is weak and circumstantial. At the end of 200 years, A. M. Juster has thrown in his lot with a new theory that a decree, by Theoderic, king of Italy from 493–526 CE, mentioning a Maximianus, may have referred to our poet. One of the elegies also seems to support the the timeframe by the fact that the poet mentions that Boethius was his mentor. The philosopher Boethius died in 524. The pieces fit.

Well, Boethius was also executed by Theodoric. So I would think one might want to keep quiet about any connection one might have had with him. I wouldn't think the connection would help in advancing one's career. More to the mystery, I guess.