Who was Pliny the Elder? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Gaius Plinius Secundus

Died At Age: 56

Family:

father: Gaius Plinius Celer

mother: Marcella

Born Country: Italy

Naturalists Philosophers

Died on: 79

place of death: Stabiae, Roman Italy

Cause of Death: Disease

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1

What is Pliny the Elder known for?

Pliny the Elder was a Roman author, naturalist, and philosopher known for his extensive writings on a wide range of subjects, including natural history, geography, and naval warfare.
2

What is Pliny the Elder's most famous work?

Pliny the Elder's most famous work is "Naturalis Historia" (Natural History), a comprehensive encyclopedia of the natural world that covers topics such as animals, plants, minerals, and medicinal substances.
3

How did Pliny the Elder die?

Pliny the Elder died during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD while attempting to rescue a friend and his family. He was stationed across the bay in Misenum at the time and perished due to toxic fumes and ash inhalation.
4

What was Pliny the Elder's role in the Roman Empire?

Pliny the Elder held various administrative and military positions in the Roman Empire, including serving as a naval and army commander. He was also a procurator in the province of Gallia Narbonensis and a friend of Emperor Vespasian.
5

What influence did Pliny the Elder have on later generations?

Pliny the Elder's works, particularly "Naturalis Historia," had a significant influence on later generations of scientists, scholars, and writers. His detailed observations and systematic approach to studying the natural world laid the foundation for many future developments in natural history and scientific inquiry.

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Childhood & Early Life

Though the exact date of his birth is unknown, Pliny's year of birth is estimated to be AD 23 or AD 24. His father's name was Gaius Plinius Celer, who worked as an equestrian while his mother's name was Marcella. His birthplace was the town of Novum Comum in the Roman Empire’s province of Transpadane Gaul. His birth name was Gaius Plinius Secundus.

His family was wealthy and belonged to the equestrian class, which was the empire’s municipal governing class. Its members were expected to perform military service as well. Pliny also had a sister named Plinia. She was the mother of Pliny the Younger, who described Pliny the Elder's work and study regimen in detail through his letters.

At a young age, Pliny was taken by his father to Rome where he studied lawmaking. Caligula, who was Rome's emperor at the time, was meanwhile imposing a reign of terror on people whom he suspected to be dissenters.

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Career

When he was in his early twenties, Pliny entered the army as a junior officer. It was a custom for youths of equestrian rank. Soon, his interest and knowledge in Roman literature gained him the attention of several scholars, with whom he became good friends. Within a short while he was able to enter the upper echelons of the state as well.

He began as a praefectus cohortis ‘commander of a cohort’, and served under Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo. Few years later, he took part in the Roman conquest of the Chauci, as well as the construction of a canal between two rivers named Maas and Rhine.

He was transferred to the command of Germania Superior after some time, where he served under Publius Secundus. Later, he was transferred back to Germania Inferior, and also promoted to proefectus alae or ‘commander of a wing’.

He wrote his first book during this period, which was named ‘De jaculatione equestri’. The book was about the use of missiles on horseback. The book has not survived; however, in his work ‘Natural History’, some of its contents can be found. He wrote another 20 volume book named ‘Wars in Germany’.

He moved to Rome when he was around 36. During this time, the emperor was the infamous Nero, whom Pliny had a huge disdain for. He worked as a lawyer during time in Rome. Having lost all his supporters and friends, Nero committed suicide in AD 68, which also put an end to his reign of terror.

After around a year, Vespasian, who was a good friend of Pliny, became the emperor. Like Pliny, he belonged to the equestrian class as well, and had risen through the ranks of the equestrian class. He wanted to re-establish peace in the empire, as well as stabilize the economy. Pliny had a good relation with Vespasian throughout his rule, and used to advice both him and his son during his stay in Rome.

Pliny avoided writing much during Nero’s reign in order to avoid drawing attention towards himself. However, during Vespasian’s rule, he was sure that the terror was over and wouldn’t resume, and he began working again. Sometime later, Vespasian did suppress the philosophers of Rome, but Pliny was not among them.

Pliny began working on ‘Natural History’ in AD 77. The book, which was the most important work of his life, contained over a million words in 37 volumes, and remains one of the most substantial ancient works that have survived to this day.

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’Naturalis Historia’ or ‘Pliny’s Natural History’ was Pliny’s last work, as well the most important work of his life. The encyclopedia, who is one of the largest single works to have survived from the Roman Empire to this day, covers numerous subjects such as astronomy, mathematics, geography, zoology, botany, physiology, sculpture and painting. The book offers insights into nature, as well as the Roman conception of nature.

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Astronomy is the first topic covered in the book. Pliny states that there are countless other bodies besides the earth. He describes the earth as a sphere suspended in the middle of space. He talks about eclipses and comets as well. He also writes about God and states that such a being would not care about state of human affairs.

He discusses Zoology from Books VIII to XI. The elephant and the hippopotamus are described in detail. He also discusses bees, which he admired for their industry, organization as well as their honey. Most of the data was derived from Aristotle.

Botany is discussed from Books XII to XVIII. He explains about the various types of trees, and the properties of their wood. He talks of spices such as pepper and ginger. He also talks of the medicinal value of sugar.

A significant portion of the book discusses matters related to medicine. He writes about plants that can provide useful drugs. He also addresses magic in Book XXX, where he also attacks astrology.

In Book XVIII, he talks about methods used to cultivate crops. He discusses all known cultivated crops and vegetables, along with herbs and remedies that can be derived from them.

In the last two books, he talks about several kinds of minerals and gemstones. He criticizes the obsessions with luxury products like engraved gems and hardstone carvings. He also writes about the shape of the diamond, and how the hardness of diamond dust can help gem engravers use it to cut and polish other gems. He also discusses about how false gems can be detected.

Pliny also describes gold mining in detail, along with methods of underground mining. One of the books also talks about base metals, their uses, and extraction.

Criticism

His works contain many scientific errors, as he was unable to make any revision due to his untimely death. However, there is also a great level of accuracy. He had correctly stated about Venus being the only heavenly body other than the sun and the moon to cast a visible shadow, and about the how the length of the day varies in different parts of the world.

The first criticism of his work was published in the 15th century. Slowly, Pliny’s influence started diminishing, as more and more scholars started questioning as well as rejecting his claims. By the end of the 17th century, ‘Natural History’ had been rejected by all leading scientists, and was no more an authority on science. However, it is still regarded as one of the greatest and most important literary works that helps us understand Rome of the 1st century.

Death & Legacy

Shortly before the death of Emperor Vespasian, Pliny was appointed as a fleet commander in the Roman Navy. During the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, he was stationed at Misenum.

After he received a message from his friend Rectina to rescue her and Pomponianus, he started sailing on a rescue mission during the course of which he died. Though the exact cause of his death is still unknown, some sources claim he ordered a slave to kill him in order to avoid dying from the heat of the volcano, while other sources claim that he died of a heart attack. As the sailors around him were not killed, it is very unlikely that his death was due to a direct impact of the volcanic eruption.

He was around 55-56 at the time of his death. He never married and had no children. His wealth was left to his nephew, Pliny the Younger. It is mostly through his nephew’s works that a lot about Pliny the Elder’s life is known today.

Facts About Pliny the Elder

Pliny the Elder was known for his insatiable curiosity and dedication to learning, which led him to compile his famous encyclopedia, "Natural History," covering a wide range of subjects from anthropology to botany.

Despite his busy schedule as a Roman military commander and public official, Pliny the Elder always found time to indulge in his passion for studying the natural world, often embarking on expeditions to gather information for his writings.

Pliny the Elder was a firm believer in the power of observation and empirical evidence, which is reflected in his meticulous approach to research and documentation in his works.

Pliny the Elder's legacy as a natural historian and scholar continues to be celebrated today, with many modern scientists and academics drawing inspiration from his dedication to knowledge and exploration.

Pliny the Elder Biography

You wanted to know

What is Pliny the Elder known for?

What is Pliny the Elder's most famous work?

How did Pliny the Elder die?

What was Pliny the Elder's role in the Roman Empire?

What influence did Pliny the Elder have on later generations?