Gaius Cornelius Gallus -68 – -25
Biography
Gaius Cornelius Gallus was a distinguished figure of the late Roman Republic, born on January 1, 68 BC. A man of considerable intellectual gifts, he distinguished himself as a poet, orator, and politician during a pivotal era of Roman history. His contributions to literature and public life reflected the cultural richness and political complexity of the first century before Christ, a time when eloquence and artistic achievement held great value in Roman society.
Throughout his life, Gallus engaged in the pursuits most esteemed among the Roman elite. His work as both poet and orator demonstrated a rare combination of artistic sensibility and rhetorical skill, qualities that enabled him to influence both cultural and political spheres. The respect afforded to such accomplished individuals speaks to the regard in which his contemporaries held his abilities and character.
Gallus passed away on January 1, 25 BC, at an advanced age, his life spanning a significant period of Roman development. The circumstances surrounding his death remain obscure to history, as the specific location and many details of his final years have not been recorded. Though his burial place is unknown to posterity, his legacy as a voice of his age endured through the memory of those who knew his work and witnessed his contributions to the intellectual life of Rome.
Cemetery Map
View larger map →Satellite overview of the cemetery grounds.