The paper analyses the sources used by the Australian writer David Malouf and hypohesises the presence of some classical literary models which have not been investigated so far. In the novel “An Imaginary Life” (1978), we can identify themes from Ovid’s Epistualae ex Ponto, in particular as regards the process of reconciliation of the protagonist with the inhabitants of Tomi. In his last novel “Ransom” (2009), it is possible to trace the influence od Ennius’ tragedy “Hectoris Lytra” and, through the pathos of the Latin theatre, we get as far as Shakespeare. More specifically, the character of Somax, the carter, shows the relevance of Latin comedy as an influence highlighting the values of classical “humanitas”.
