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23
Born
It is unknown as far as the exact date of Pliny the Elders birth, but it is approximately AD 23-AD 24. He was born in Novum Comum, known today as Como, Italy(editors, thefamouspeople.com). Information and photo credit:
Editors, TheFamousPeople.com. "Pliny the Elder Biography"
Accessed 6/10/2018. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/pliny-the-elder-31965.php City and Lake Como, painted by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, 1834 -
Period: 23 to 79
Pliny the Elder's Life
Covering the period of AD 23-AD 79.
See this video to understand a summary of the major contributions of Pliny the Elder.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUMVf8bkUQE -
46
Enlists as a Junior Officer
Pliny the Elder enlists in the Roman Army during his early twenties, or about the age of 23. His early equestrian knowledge growing up in a wealthy family allows him to eventually become a cavalry officer(editors, thefamouspeople.com). -
54
Early Writings
Early writings began during his time in the military. With his first book being one about missiles used on horseback.
He would write books on history and biographies. It was during the rule of Nero that he would not try to attract attention to himself due to the nature of Nero's policies toward those who opposed his ideas(editors, thefamouspeople.com). -
68
Serving Under Emperors
Pliny the Elder became a lawyer under Emperor Nero at the age of 36. Pliny refrained from writing public texts during this time because of Nero's harsh and stern rule. Nero had many under his rule executed, including his own mother. Upon Nero's death in 68, Vespasian took over as the Emperor of Rome. It was at this time Pliny the Elder's greatest works would be written(editors, thefamouspeople.com). -
Period: 70 to 79
Writing of Naturalis Historia
Work began around the year AD 70, but no absolute date is available for when writings began. Pliny would work on what is considered his greatest writing and contribution to the natural sciences, Natural History. This work would be complete around the time of his death, AD 79(editors, thefamouspeople.com). -
77
Completion of Natural History
Pliny would complete Naturalis Historia in roughly the year AD 77; however, it is argued that he may have continued to work on it until the time of his death 2 years later. This would be a work of 37 books, and is the single largest volume of work recorded during the Roman Empire. It would include many disciplines of the sciences including botany, geology, mineralogy, geology, and zoology. It would become a reference and a standard to which encyclopedias would be written(Thayer). -
79
Death August 25, AD 79
Pliny the Elder would serve as a Naval Commander at the time of his death. Sailing across the Bay of Naples under order to assist civilians during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, as well as to make observations directly. He would ultimately take a cutter to go ashore, and perished from the fumes of the eruption. His was believed to have had asthma. Stannard,Jeremy. Pliny the Elder, Roman Scholar
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pliny-the-Elder
Date accessed June 10, 2018 -
80
Citations and References
Citations for reference:
Thayer, Bill. “Suetonius • Life of Pliny the Elder.” LacusCurtius • Dionysius' Roman Antiquities - Book I Chapters 72‑90, penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Suetonius/Pliny_the_Elder*.html. Authors: Editors, thefamouspeople.com
"Who is Pliny the Elder? Everything You Need to Know"
Website TitleChildhood, Life Achievements & Timeline
URLhttps://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/pliny-the-elder-31965.php
Date Accessed June 10, 2018 All images are public domain.
