Velleius Paterculus

About the Author

Velleius Paterculus was a Roman historian and soldier born around 19 BC in the Campanian town of Nuceria Alfaterna, who rose through the ranks of the Roman military under emperors Augustus and Tiberius, serving as a legate in campaigns across the empire from Germania to the East. His surviving work, a concise history of Rome from its mythical origins to AD 30, showcases his admiration for Tiberius while offering vivid portraits of key figures like Julius Caesar and Cicero. Written in a lively, epistolary style, it blends personal anecdotes with broader historical narrative, providing invaluable insights into the transition from Republic to Empire. Though fragmentary, Paterculus's text endures as a testament to his era's political fervor and rhetorical flair, influencing later historians with its blend of brevity and passion.