Pliny lost his life whilst trying to rescue people caught up in the disaster. He was procurator of Hispania Tarraconesis in AD 72-4, and was commanding the Roman fleet at Misenum when Vesuvius erupted on 24 th August AD 79. Pliny had early morning meetings with Vespasian and held a number of important administrative posts in the provinces. Following the latter’s death, and thanks to his earlier friendship with a fellow Roman officer, Titus, Pliny became a trusted member of the inner circle around the new emperor Vespasian (AD 69-79), who was Titus’ father. After serving in the Roman army in Germany during the 50s AD, Pliny seems to have kept a low profile during the reign of Emperor Nero (AD 54-68). His wealth qualified him for membership of the equestrian class, the lesser aristocracy of Roman society.
Pliny the Elder was born in Comum in northern Italy in about 23 AD. Although it is not a work of art, in summarising information about the world at that time, it has a particular relationship with Roman civilisation and civilisations more widely that is worth exploring, not least because it throws up a challenging conclusion about Manchester Museum and its collection, though I fear that will not find favour with some cultural commentators.
Pliny’s work The Natural History is the biggest work of non-fiction to survive from the ancient world. It is a great opportunity to talk about Manchester Museum’s new temporary exhibition about Pliny the Elder and Roman Natural History opening on 6th April.
Eirik the elderand mary series#
Following Simon Schama’s launch of the BBC’s new Civilisations series last week I am really looking forward to Mary Beard presenting the follow-up because this ought to include some Roman content.
0 kommentar(er)
