Pliny The Younger Biography - Childhood, Life Achievements & Timeline
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Pliny the Younger Biography
(Author, Lawyer)Born: 61
Born In: Como
Advanced SearchPliny the Younger was an ancient Roman author, lawyer and magistrate who left behind a collection of hundreds of letters which became an important source for Roman history. He was the nephew of Pliny the Elder, a famous author and natural philosopher. Pliny the Younger lost his father at an early age and was thus raised by his brilliant and well-known uncle Pliny the Elder who undoubtedly had a great influence on the young man. Pliny the Younger, born as either Gaius Caecilius or Gaius Caecilius Cilo, was later adopted by his uncle who left him his estate upon his death. Hailing from a wealthy aristocratic family, he started his career at the age of 18 and became very active in the Roman legal system. He became a very successful lawyer and was known to be an honest and hard working man. He also developed a love for writing at a young age and wrote a tragedy in Greek when he was 14. Over the years he composed poetry and wrote a collection of private letters which later on became a very important source of Roman history. He was also a notable orator known for his magnificent orations though much of his orations have been lost over the centuries. Quick FactsAlso Known As: Pliny, the Younger Pliny
Died At Age: 51
Family:Spouse/Ex-: Calpurnia
mother: Plinia Marcella
Born Country: Italy
Non-Fiction Writers Italian Men
Died on: 112
place of death: Bithynia
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Italian PeopleTurkish PeopleTurkish MenMale WritersItalian WritersTurkish Writers Childhood & Early LifeHe was born as Gaius Caecilius or Gaius Caecilius Cilo in 61 AD to Lucius Caecilius Cilo and his wife Plinia Marcella, sister of Pliny the Elder, in Novum Comum. Gaius Caecilius lost his father quite early in his life.As a young boy, Pliny was educated and mentored by was Lucius Verginius Rufus who was famous for quelling a revolt against Nero in 68 AD. While growing up, Pliny developed a deep respect for his uncle, Pliny the Elder, who was a notable author and a personal friend of the emperor Vespasian.After receiving his early education he moved to Rome for further studies. There he learnt rhetoric from Quintilian, a great teacher and author, and Nicetes Sacerdos of Smyrna. He loved writing from a young age and penned a Greek tragedy when he was 14.During this time he also became closer to his uncle, Pliny the Elder. Unfortunately his beloved uncle died in the Vesuvius eruption while trying to rescue other victims. His uncle’s will revealed that he had adopted Gaius Caecilius and had passed his estate to him. Following this, Gaius Caecilius Cilo changed his name to Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus and later on became famous as Pliny the Younger.