# Marcus Velleius Paterculus

> Roman historian, soldier and senator (c.19 BC - c. AD 31)

**Wikidata**: [Q316098](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q316098)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velleius_Paterculus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/marcus-velleius-paterculus

## Summary
Marcus Velleius Paterculus was a Roman historian, soldier, and senator who lived from approximately 19 BC to AD 31. He is best known for his role as a military personnel in the organized armed forces of Ancient Rome and for his work as a writer and scholar who explored and presented history. As a member of the human species, he contributed significantly to the literary and historical record of his era through his unique perspective as both a participant and an observer.

## Biography
- Born: c. 19 BC
- Nationality: Ancient Rome
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Serving as a Roman historian, soldier, and senator; writing historical accounts of Ancient Rome
- Employer(s): Not specified in source material (served in organized armed military force and held senatorial office)
- Field(s): History, Military Service, Politics, Literature

## Contributions
Marcus Velleius Paterculus produced literary works as a writer, utilizing written words to communicate ideas and produce historical narratives. His primary contribution lies in his role as a historian who dealt with the exploration and presentation of history within the context of Ancient Rome. As a soldier, he served in an organized armed military force, providing a firsthand perspective on the events he later documented. His work stands as a unique intersection of military service, political office as a senator, and scholarly historical writing.

## FAQs
**What were the primary roles Marcus Velleius Paterculus held during his lifetime?**
He was a multifaceted figure who served simultaneously as a soldier in the Roman military, a senator in the government, and a historian dedicated to recording events. These roles allowed him to bridge the gap between active political and military participation and the scholarly documentation of history.

**What is the significance of his work as a historian?**
As a scholar dealing with the exploration and presentation of history, he provided a contemporary account of Ancient Rome during the transition from the Republic to the Empire. His status as a writer allowed him to communicate complex historical ideas through literary works that remain a key source for understanding his time.

**How did his military background influence his historical writing?**
His experience as military personnel in an organized armed force gave him direct insight into the campaigns and political maneuvers of the era he described. This practical experience distinguished his historical accounts from those of scholars who had not served in the armed forces.

## Why They Matter
Marcus Velleius Paterculus matters because he represents a rare convergence of active political and military leadership with historical scholarship in Ancient Rome. Without his work, the specific perspective of a senator-soldier documenting the history of his own time would be lost, leaving a gap in the understanding of the era's political and military dynamics. His contributions as a writer and historian ensure that the events of Ancient Rome during the late 1st century BC and early 1st century AD are preserved through the eyes of a direct participant.

## Notable For
- Being a Roman historian, soldier, and senator active between c. 19 BC and c. AD 31.
- Serving as a member of the human species and a unique extant member of the genus Homo.
- Working as a scholar who deals with the exploration and presentation of history.
- Serving as military personnel in an organized armed military force.
- Functioning as a writer who uses written words to communicate ideas and produce literary works.
- Living and working within the context of Ancient Rome, a country that began growing on the Italian Peninsula from the 8th century BC.
- Holding the alias "Velleius Paterculus."

## Body

### Identity and Origins
Marcus Velleius Paterculus was a human being, a single member of the species *Homo sapiens* and the unique extant species of the genus *Homo*. He was born around 19 BC in Ancient Rome, a country that began growing on the Italian Peninsula from the 8th century BC. His life spanned the critical transition period of the Roman state, ending around AD 31. He is also known by the alias Velleius Paterculus.

### Military and Political Career
He served as military personnel, meaning he was one of the people who serve in an organized armed military force. This role placed him directly within the armed forces of Ancient Rome. Beyond his military service, he attained the high political office of senator. His dual status as a soldier and a senator provided him with a comprehensive view of the state's operations, from the battlefield to the legislative chamber.

### Scholarly and Literary Work
As a writer, Marcus Velleius Paterculus used written words to communicate ideas and to produce literary works. His primary scholarly identity was that of a historian, defined as a scholar who deals with the exploration and presentation of history. He applied this expertise to the history of Ancient Rome. His work involved the systematic exploration of past events and their presentation to contemporary and future audiences.

### Historical Context and Legacy
His life and work are inextricably linked to Ancient Rome, the country that began growing on the Italian Peninsula from the 8th century BC. The historical record he produced serves as a vital link to understanding the political and military landscape of the early Imperial period. His contributions as a historian, soldier, and senator are documented in various knowledge bases, with a significant number of sitelinks (52) connecting to his Wikipedia title "Velleius Paterculus." His multifaceted career as a human, historian, military personnel, writer, and senator remains a key reference point for the study of this era.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
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11. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Velleius%20Paterculus%20Caius)
12. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index16.html)
13. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index12.html)
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