Vedius Pollio, Publius
Vedius Pollio, Publius
- Arnaldo Momigliano,
- Theodore John Cadoux
- and Barbara Levick
Extract
Publius Vedius Pollio, a *freedman's son and friend and assistant of *Augustus, perhaps from *Beneventum, attained equestrian rank (see equites). He appears to have been active in Asia both in an official capacity, after *Actium or perhaps after the earthquake of 27 bce, and as a private benefactor. Rich and cruel, he allegedly would punish slaves by throwing them alive to his moray eels. He died in 15 bce, leaving Augustus much of his property, including his villa *Pausilypon and his mansion on the *Esquiline, which Augustus pulled down, building the porticus Liviae on the site.
Subjects
- Roman History and Historiography
