Marcus Annaeus Lucanus

Marcus Annaeus Lucanus (November 3, 39 AD–April 30, 65 AD, age 25), better known in English as Lucan, was a Roman poet, born in Corduba (modern-day Córdoba), in the Hispania Baetica. Despite his short life, he is regarded as one of the outstanding figures of the Silver Latin period. His youth and speed of composition set him apart from other poets. Two brief ancient biographies by Vacca and Suetonius, along with references in Tacitus's Annals and... more

Marcus Annaeus Lucanus (November 3, 39 AD–April 30, 65 AD, age 25), better known in English as Lucan, was a Roman poet, born in Corduba (modern-day Córdoba), in the Hispania Baetica. Despite his short life, he is regarded as one of the outstanding figures of the Silver Latin period. His youth and speed of composition set him apart from other poets. Two brief ancient biographies by Vacca and Suetonius, along with references in Tacitus's Annals and one of Statius's Silvae, allow for the reconstruction of a modest biography. Lucan was the grandson of Seneca the Elder and grew up under the tutelage of his uncle Seneca the Younger. Born into a wealthy family, he studied rhetoric at Athens and was probably provided with a philosophical and Stoicist education by his uncle. He found success under Nero, became one of the emperor's close friends and was rewarded with a quaestorship in advance of the legal age. In 60 AD, he won a prize for extemporizing Orpheus and Laudes Neronis at the... less