Pliny the Elder, 23-79 CE

Gaius Plinius Secundus, known as Pliny the Elder, was born sometime in 23 or 24 CE in Novum Comum (modern Como.) Coming from a wealthy, influential family, he was well educated in rhetoric, science, and law. He served in the military in Germany, where he rose to the rank of cavalry commander (equestrian.) During the reign of Nero, he served as procurator in Spain, where he also spent most of his time studying and writing. When Vespasian assumed the Imperial seat, Pliny returned to Rome to take on various roles for the General he had served with in Germany. His last position was as commander of the fleet in the Bay of Naples to suppress piracy. When an unusual cloud formation was reported to him, he took his fleet of ships to find out the cause and found it was the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. His fleet rescued up to 2,000 people trapped on the coast of Italy near Pompeii. He died in the effort. His nephew, Pliny the Younger, reported that his uncle died on August 24, 79 CE, was unmarried, and survived by his only sister.