Virgilio y la "decadencia y caída del Imperio Romano": una recreación poética de Luis Antonio de Villena

The poem "De una carta de Macrobio Teodosio" by Luis Antonio de Villena can be better understood if it is studied as an heir of Ezra Pound’s "Papyrus" insofar it showed how the recreation of fragmentary texts allows to write modern poems with an unexpected ability of evocation. In addition, we discuss the likely influence of some decadence imaginaries (Edward Gibbon, Constantinos Cavafis) in Villena’s recreation. All these features will allow a better understanding of the three references to Virgil, two quotes and one mention, found in the poem. Regarding the last one, it’s possible an interpretation that changes the meaning of Aeneas’ final message to Palinurus in the Aeneid.