Pliny the Elder

Rhiannon Menai Evans (University of Melbourne)

Ed. by William John Dominik, University of Otago, Jula Wildberger, American University of Paris
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.1.2: Ancient Roman Writing and Culture (Republic and Empire), -750-476.
Vol. editors: Anca Dan (École Practique de Hautes Études PSL), Martine Diepenbroek (University of Johannesburg), William John Dominik (University of Otago), Giacomo Fedeli (University of Exeter), Victoria Fendel (University of Oxford), Thomas Habinek (University of Southern California), Emily Kneebone (University of Nottingham), Elodie Paillard (University of Sydney), Sophia Papaioannou (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), Guendalina Daniela Maria Taietti (University of Liverpool), Jula Wildberger (American University of Paris)

Dates

Born 23
Died 79
Activity 43-79

Places

Born in Ancient Rome (Republic & Empire)
Active in Ancient Rome (Republic & Empire)

Activities

Primary

Historian / Chronicler

Resources

Pliny's Works

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Gaius Plinius Secundus’ sole remaining work is the 37 book

Natural History

, which deals with an enormous variety of subjects, including astronomy, global geography, the anatomy and habits of human beings and animals, plants and minerals, artists and artworks. Pliny wrote a great variety of other works, from histories of Roman wars to texts on oratory, but all have been lost. However, he is probably best known for his death, during the eruption of Vesuvius which destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Pliny was born at Novum Comum (Como), in northern Italy. His family was wealthy and of equestrian rank, the second tier of the Roman elite, which was becoming increasingly influential in the first century. After an education in Rome in the mid to late 30s (NH 9.58, 37.21, 38.54), he became a

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1768 words

Citation: Evans, Rhiannon Menai. "Pliny the Elder". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 18 December 2009 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=3582, accessed 22 November 2024.]

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