Viriato Trágico

Viriato Trágico is a long poem by Portuguese poet Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas (1596-1656).
General information.
Viriato Trágico is a heroic poem, one of the most important Portuguese poems of the 17th century. It consists of twenty books. It was first printed in 1699, many years after author's death.
Form.
The poem about Viriatus by Garcia de Mascarenhas is written in ottava rima (oitava rima in Portuguese). This strophe was very popular in Portugal in 17th century. It was introduced into Portuguese literature by Francisco de Sá de Miranda. After Luís de Camões used the strophe in The Lusiads all poets emloyed it in long works. The strophe consists of eight lines rhymed abababcc. The lines are composed of ten syllables each.
Story.
The poem tells about an ancient hero, Viriatus. He was a warrior from Lusitania (old Portugal). He was famous for his struggle for independence against the Romans. He was invincible in any battle. As the Romans could not defeat him in the open field, the decided to get rid of him by an unlawful deed. Viriatus was assasinated in his sleep.
He died, but his fame outlived the Roman empire.