Pliny the Elder: He Bravely Faced Vesuvius

This Roman commander and scholar sacrificed his life to save his friends during the volcanic eruption.
Pliny the Elder: He Bravely Faced Vesuvius
“An Eruption of Vesuvius Seen From Portici,” 1774, by Joseph Wright of Derby. It erupted in A.D. 79, causing the death of Pliny the Elder. Public Domain
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Gaius Plinius Secundus (known as Pliny the Elder) was a military commander who “attempted to record all known facts about the natural world." He is credited for being the first to catalog and organize vast amounts of information.

Pliny the Elder is also known for writing the world’s first encyclopedia. This was completed two years before he died, attempting to save his friends during the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Trevor Phipps
Trevor Phipps
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For about 20 years, Trevor Phipps worked in the restaurant industry as a chef, bartender, and manager until he decided to make a career change. For the past several years, he has been a freelance journalist specializing in crime, sports, and history.