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Gaius Cornelius Gallus

Roman soldier and poet
Alternative Title: Cornelius Gallus
Gaius Cornelius Gallus
Roman soldier and poet
Also known as
  • Cornelius Gallus

c. 70 BCE

Fréjus, France


26 BCE


Gaius Cornelius Gallus, (born c. 70 bc, Forum Julii, Gaul—died 26 bc, Egypt) Roman soldier and poet, famous for four books of poems to his mistress “Lycoris” (the actress Volumnia, stage name Cytheris), which, in ancient opinion, made him the first of the four greatest Roman elegiac poets.

Gallus was a friend of Augustus and Virgil and, having distinguished himself in the war against Mark Antony, was made governor of Egypt. There, however, his imprudent conduct led to his disgrace and suicide. Quintilian ranked him with Tibullus, Propertius, and Ovid as one of the great Roman elegists. Virgil celebrated him, and Parthenius dedicated to Gallus his book on unhappy love affairs.

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