Cornelius Gallus

Gaius Cornelius Gallus (c. 70 BC – 26 BC) was a Roman poet, orator and politician.

The identity of Gallus' purported birthplace, , is still uncertain, and it is based on the epithet "Foroiuliensis" that Jerome gave to him. In Roman times, there were many places with this name, but a dispute about Gallus' birthplace between supporters of Fréjus and of a generic term for "Friuli" is attested since the Renaissance. During the 20th century, Ronald Syme took in consideration Fréjus and Cividale del Friuli, both once called Forum Iulii, and called the former the more likely. Jean-Paul Boucher recognized at least five candidates, and considered Forum Iulii Iriensium (modern Voghera) the most suitable. It has been also suggested that "Foroiuliensis" could refer not to Gallus' birthplace, but rather to the place where he performed a memorable act, namely the erection of the Vatican Obelisk in the Forum Iulium of Alexandria, thus making some generic mentions of Gallia as the sole possible clue about his place of origin.

Born in a humble family, at an early age he moved to Rome, where he was taught by the same master as Virgil and Varius Rufus. Virgil, who was in great measure indebted to the influence of Gallus for the restoration of his estate, dedicated one of his eclogues (X) to him. The Erotica Pathemata of Parthenius of Nicaea was also dedicated to Gallus.

In political life Gallus espoused the cause of Octavian, and as a reward for his services was made prefect of Egypt (Suetonius, Augustus, 66). In 29 BC, Cornelius Gallus led a campaign to subdue a revolt in Thebes. He erected a monument in Philae to glorify his accomplishments. Gallus' conduct brought him into disgrace with the emperor, and a new prefect was appointed. After his recall, Gallus put an end to his life (Cassius Dio, liii 23).

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