Pharsalia

Marcus Annaeus Lucanus, known as Lucan, was born on 3 November 39 AD in Corduba (now Córdoba, Spain). A distinguished Roman poet during the Silver Age of Latin literature, Lucan is best remembered for his epic “Pharsalia,” a detailed account of the civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey, which showcased his compositional skills.

Lucan hailed from an affluent family. His father, Marcus Annaeus Mela, and his uncle, Seneca the Younger, a prominent Stoic philosopher, greatly influenced his upbringing and education. He studied rhetoric in Athens, where he was again exposed to Stoic philosophy. Lucan married Polla Argentaria, who played a significant role in his literary endeavours.

His career prospered under Emperor Nero. Lucan achieved early acclaim, securing a quaestorship before the customary age. His prowess in extemporaneous poetry was recognised at the Neronia in 60AD, where he won a prize, and he was later appointed to the augurate. During this period, he released the initial books of “Pharsalia”.

However, Lucan’s relationship with Nero soured, resulting in a prohibition on publishing his works. This ban is attributed to Nero’s jealousy and Lucan’s critical portrayal of Nero in “Pharsalia,” a work which displays anti-Imperialist sentiments.

In 65AD, Lucan became embroiled in the Pisonian conspiracy to assassinate Nero. On the plot’s discovery, he was forced to commit suicide at the age of 25. His final moments were marked by reciting lines from his poetry. While his father was implicated in the conspiracy, his mother was not involved. Posthumously, Lucan’s widow received a commemorative poem from Statius, written during Domitian’s reign, honouring Lucan’s legacy.

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