Hostius was the author of an epic poem, Bellum Histricum, which was at least two books long.[1] It is uncertain which Istrian war was the subject of this poem, but scholars generally consider the second war (129 BC) is more likely, as the first (178 - 7) had already been treated by Ennius in his Annales.[2] Only seven fragments of Hostius' poem survive,[3] but it was probably in the panegyric style which was common in the Hellenistic period.[4]
Based on a reference to a doctus avus ("learned ancestor") in a poem by Propertius, many scholars believe that his lover Cynthia - whose real name was apparently Hostia - was descended from Hostius.[4] Edward Courtney doubts this, arguing that the girl addressed in the poem is not Cynthia.[4]