Saleius Bassus was a Roman epic poet, a contemporary of Valerius Flaccus, in the reign of Vespasian.
Career
Bassus was apparently overtaken by poverty, but was generously treated by Vespasian, who made him a present of 500, 000 sesterces. Nothing from his works has been preserved; the Laus Pisonis, which has been attributed to him, is probably by Titus Calpurnius Siculus.
Personality
Quintilian credits him with a vigorous and poetical genius and Julius Secundus, one of the speakers in Tacitus Dialogus de Oratoribus styles him a perfect poet and most illustrious bard.