Marcus Annaeus Lucanus (Lucan) (39 - 65 AD)
Marcus Annaeus Lucanus (39 - 65 AD) was a Latin poet born in Cordoba, Spain, and the nephew of the philosopher Seneca the Younger. Prominent during the reign of Nero, he was later forced to kill himself when he was discovered to be involved in a plot against the emperor.
Lucan's poems, though sometimes criticized for their severe and somewhat choppy style, provided a significant influence to medieval writers especially. His epic poem Bellum Civile (on the civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey), also called Pharsilia, was unfinished at his death, and survives in part.
Works:
- Bellum Civile (The Civil War) or Pharsalia. 10 books have survived.
Did you know...
Among those forced to commit suicide in connection with the Pisonian conspiracy to overthrow Nero were Seneca, Lucan, Petronius, and Tigellinus.
