Gaius Asinius Pollio facts for kids

Gaius Asinius Pollio (born 75 BC – died AD 4) was a very talented Roman. He was a soldier, a politician, a speaker, a poet, and even a historian. His history books, which are now lost, were used by later famous historians like Appian and Plutarch.

Pollio was also well-known for supporting the famous poet Virgil. He was also a good friend of another great poet, Horace. Both poets even wrote poems dedicated to Pollio!

Early Life and Beginnings

Pollio was born in a place called Teate Marrucinorum, which is now the city of Chieti in Italy. His father's name was Gnaeus Asinius Pollio. He also had a brother named Asinius Marrucinus.

Pollio became part of a group of writers and thinkers, including the poet Catullus. He started his public life in 56 BC. He tried to bring charges against a politician named Gaius Cato, but it didn't work out.

Pollio's Time in Politics

Even though he first supported someone else, Pollio decided to join Julius Caesar during the Roman civil war. He was even there when Caesar thought about crossing the Rubicon river, which started the war.

After Caesar's enemies left Rome, Pollio was sent to Sicily to take over from a general named Cato. He also went to Africa to fight against another general, Publius Attius Varus. Pollio fought bravely in many battles. He was with Caesar at the famous Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC.

In 47 BC, Pollio was likely a tribune, a type of Roman official. He worked to stop efforts to cancel all debts, which would have caused problems for many people. The next year, he went back to Africa with Caesar to continue fighting.

Fighting in Hispania

When Caesar was killed in 44 BC, Pollio was leading soldiers in Hispania (modern-day Spain). He was doing very well in his campaigns there. He was careful about who he would hand over his command to, saying he would only give it to someone approved by the Roman Senate.

Later, one of his officers ran away with the soldiers' pay. Pollio then faced a tough defeat in battle and had to escape disguised.

Role in the Civil War

As another civil war began between Mark Antony and Octavian, Pollio had to choose a side. He eventually joined Mark Antony. Antony, along with Lepidus and Octavian, formed the Second Triumvirate.

During this time, Pollio was given control of a part of Cisalpine Gaul (northern Italy). He used his influence to protect the land of the poet Virgil from being taken away by soldiers.

In 40 BC, Pollio helped to make peace between Octavian and Antony at a place called Brundisium. In the same year, he became a Roman consul, a very high position in Rome. Virgil even wrote a famous poem, the fourth eclogue, for Pollio, hoping for a time of peace. However, Pollio did not finish his year as consul, as he was removed from office by Antony and Octavian.

The next year, Pollio led a successful military campaign against a group of people called the Parthini in Illyria. He celebrated a triumph, a special parade to honor a military victory, on October 25th. Virgil's eighth eclogue was written for Pollio during this campaign.

Later, in 31 BC, Octavian asked Pollio to join him in the Battle of Actium against Antony. But Pollio remembered Antony's kindness to him and decided to stay neutral.

Later Life and Legacy

After his military and political career, Pollio focused on supporting writers and on his own writing. He used money from his military victories to build the first public library in Rome. It was located in a building he also built called the Atrium Libertatis. This library had sections for both Greek and Latin books. It was decorated with statues of famous heroes.

Pollio also had a wonderful art collection connected to the library. He loved imaginative Greek art, and this art gallery was also open to everyone.

Pollio was known as a strict literary critic. He liked an older, pure style of writing. He organized events where authors would read their own works. He was the first Roman author to read his own writings in public. One of these readings was very important because it introduced the poet Virgil to the imperial family. Virgil read from his epic poem, the Aeneid, and praised the imperial family in his work.

Pollio likely died at his home in Tusculum. He was a strong supporter of the Roman Republic and kept some distance from Emperor Augustus.

Family Life

Pollio was married to a woman named Quinctia. He was the father of Gaius Asinius Gallus. Gallus later married Vipsania Agrippina, who was the daughter of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, a close friend and general of Emperor Augustus. Gallus and Vipsania had several sons together, some of whom also became consuls.

Pollio's Influence on History

Even though Pollio's history books are lost, they were very important. They provided much of the information used by later historians like Appian and Plutarch. This means Pollio greatly shaped how people remember his time, which was a key period in Roman history.