13 moments

1. Birth at Novum Comum

   0023-01-01 · Como, Lombardy, Italy

   

   Pliny was born at Como (ancient Novum Comum). The year is uncertain between AD 23 and 24. Wikipedia dates his birth to AD 23 or 24; 0023 is used as the earliest stated year.

2. Junior officer in Germania Inferior

   0046-01-01 · Germania Inferior, Roman Empire

   

   Pliny began his army career as a cohort commander under Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo on the lower-Rhine frontier. Coordinate is a representative point for the Roman province; the posting began in AD 46 according to the article's chronology.

3. Chauci campaign and Maas-Rhine canal

   0047-01-01 · Maas-Rhine canal, Germania Inferior, Roman Empire

   As a junior officer, Pliny participated in the Roman campaign against the Chauci and in construction of the canal linking the Maas and Rhine. Coordinate is a representative point for the documented canal corridor rather than a securely identified worksite.

4. Cavalry command at Castra Vetera

   0055-01-01 · Castra Vetera, Xanten, Germany

   

   Pliny spent the final part of his approximately ten-year military service as a cavalry commander at the lower-Rhine base of Castra Vetera. The precise years at Castra Vetera are not certain; AD 55 is a representative year within the late phase of his military service.

5. Witnessing construction of the Domus Aurea

   0064-01-01 · Domus Aurea, Rome, Italy

   

   While living chiefly in Rome under Nero, Pliny witnessed construction of Nero's palace after the Great Fire.

6. Residence and literary work under Nero

   0067-01-01 · Rome, Italy

   

   In Nero's final years Pliny was based mainly in Rome, where he pursued legal and literary work while avoiding politically dangerous subjects. The article associates his rhetorical works with AD 67–68; 0067 is used as the supported year-level chronology point.

7. Observation at Tacape

   0071-01-01 · Gabès (ancient Tacape), Tunisia

   

   During his African provincial service, Pliny personally observed the fertile seaside oasis of Tacape, modern Gabès. The article assigns his likely African procuratorship to AD 70–72; 0071 is a representative year within that range.

8. Procurator in Hispania Tarraconensis

   0073-01-01 · Hispania Tarraconensis, Roman Empire

   

   Pliny served as procurator of Hispania Tarraconensis, a posting that informed his detailed treatment of the province's peoples, agriculture, and mining. The article dates this procuratorship to AD 72–74. Coordinate is a representative point at Tarraco, the provincial capital.

9. Fleet commander at Misenum

   0079-01-01 · Misenum, Bacoli, Campania, Italy

   

   By the time of Vesuvius's eruption, Pliny commanded the imperial fleet stationed at Misenum and lived there with his sister and nephew.

10. Approach to Herculaneum during the eruption

    0079-08-24 · Waters off Herculaneum, Campania, Italy

    Pliny's vessel approached the coast near Herculaneum as falling cinders and pumice threatened the rescue expedition. Coordinate marks the coastal waters near ancient Herculaneum, not a confirmed landing point.

11. Arrival at Stabiae

    0079-08-24 · Stabiae, Castellammare di Stabia, Campania, Italy

    

    Pliny reached Stabiae, where he joined Pomponianus and waited unsuccessfully for winds that would permit departure.

12. Rescue voyage across the Gulf of Naples

    0079-08-24 · Gulf of Naples, Italy

    

    After receiving a plea for help during the eruption, Pliny left his base by galley on a rescue mission toward Stabiae. Coordinate is a representative position on the documented Misenum-to-Stabiae sea route.

13. Death at Stabiae

    0079-08-25 · Stabiae, Castellammare di Stabia, Campania, Italy

    

    Pliny died at Stabiae after the volcanic emergency overtook the group; his body was recovered after the plume dispersed. The displayed Wikipedia biography dates his death to 25 August AD 79; the exact day of the AD 79 eruption remains debated in modern scholarship.