Famous Romans Social Studies 08 Sutherland Secondary

Pliny the Elder Caius Plinius Secundus (23CE-79CE) Author of Natural History Died from inhalation of poisonous gases during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius at Pompeii

Galen started his career as physician of gladiators, but he became court physician of the Roman emperors Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, and Septimius Severus. He published many books, which he had to rewrite after his library was destroyed by fire in 191. These book became extremely influential in the Middle Ages, when they were well-read in both the Byzantine empire and the Arab world. Great scientists like Ibn Sina, Ibn Rushd and Vesalius based their researches on the foundations laid by Galen.

Cicero Marcus Tullius Cicero ( B.C.) was both a Roman orator and statesman. His extensive philosophical interest led him to author several classic philosophical works like "De Oratore" Although he was often criticized for lack of originality, few could deny his superiority in rhetoric.

Julius Caesar Commentaries on the Gallic Wars This is a detailed description of the war campaigns of Julius Caesar, starting from the time that he was in charge of the Roman forces in France (Gaul). Caesar's writing style is that of a detailed factual report, prepared year by year, of the events.

Livy Livy's History of Rome from its foundation, is a description of the birth and growth of the Roman republic and is considered to be a piece of art.

Virgil The greatest of the Roman poets, Publius Vergilius Maro. His influence continued through the Middle Ages and into modern times. Dante revered him as his master and represented him as his guide in the `Divine Comedy'. Chaucer, Spenser, Milton, and Tennyson owed much to him.

Tacitus Cornelius Tacitus c.AD 55-c.AD 117, Roman historian Wrote the Annals