Pliny, << PLIHN ee, >> the Elder (A.D. 23 or 24-79) was a Roman writer. Pliny wrote many historical and technical works, but only his 37-volume Natural History has survived. Although this work was much used during the Middle Ages, its main value now is to show the state of scientific knowledge during Pliny’s time. See Geology (The Romans) .
Pliny was born in Novum Comum (now Como) in northern Italy. His given and family name was Gaius Plinius Secondus. As a lawyer, he held important public offices. He was commander of the fleet near Pompeii when Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, and he died there trying to help the refugees. His nephew, Pliny the Younger, was also a famous writer.
See also Basilisk .
