The author first sets out to place his text in the tradition of Homer and Virgil. Though he declares that his work is not comparable to theirs, they were poets first and foremost, and he is a warrior who only has a little spare time to devote to literature.
The author begins by situating his text within the tradition of Homer and Virgil. Although he claims his work cannot be compared to theirs, both were renowned poets, whereas he is a warrior who occasionally engages in literature.