Pliny the Elder (23 A.D - 79 A.D)He was born to an equestrian family and was influenced by a man named Pomponius Secundus, a writer of tragedy and a successful military commander. Pliny spent 12 years of his life in military service. While he was a military officer, he was always more engaged in his studies. He later because the counsellor of Vespasian and Titus and was appointed commander of a fleet at Misenum. From there he sailed on August 24th 79 AD to observe the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in Stabiae. His curiosity got the best of him and he died in Stabiae due to breathing problems from the volcano.
In vino veritas - There is a truth in wine (Naturalis Historia)
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Basic Info |
Full Name:
Gaius Plinius Secundus Born: AD 23 | Comum (Como), Italy, Roman Empire Died: 25 August 79 A.D | Stabiae, Campania |
N.B. The Latin only has Naturalis Historia (only the first 5) Latin: http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/pliny1.html
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Works
Pliny the Elder wrote many treatises, but his famous work is his Natural History (Naturalis Historia). Source of info: Ketan
- De Iaculatione Equestri - Treatise on the techniques of fighting from horseback.
- De Vita Pomponii Secundi - Pliny’s biography of his friend Pomponius Secundus.
- Bella Germaniae - Pliny’s work on German wars. Bella Germaniae was later used as a source by Tacitus in his Germania.
- Studiosus - An academic essay in six books. It was a guide for students of rhetoric.
- Dubius Sermo - Pliny the Elder’s handbook of linguistic usage. It was a very successful book.
- A Fine Aufidi Bassi - One of Pliny’s two historical works. This was Pliny’s most ambitious and important work, but is lost. It covers from 50 to 71 AD, from the end of Claudius’ reign to the accession of Vespasian.
- Natural Historia - Pliny’s monumental 27 book encyclopedia, dedicated to the new emperor, Titus, at its completion around 77-78 AD.