Marcus Terentius Varro

Date of Birth: 116 BCE

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: 27 BCE

Biography

Marcus Terentius Varro was a prolific Roman scholar, author, and polymath, renowned for his vast contributions to Roman literature and knowledge. Born in 116 BCE in Reate, Italy, Varro was a contemporary of Cicero and Julius Caesar. He is often hailed as one of the most learned men of his era, having written over 600 works covering a wide array of subjects including agriculture, linguistics, history, law, and religion. Despite his extensive literary output, only a fraction of his works have survived to the present day. His most significant surviving works are “De Re Rustica,” a comprehensive treatise on agriculture, and parts of “De Lingua Latina,” an exploration of the Latin language. Varro served in prominent political and military roles, including a position as a lieutenant under Pompey during the Roman Civil War. After Pompey’s defeat, he was briefly proscribed by Julius Caesar but was later pardoned. Varro spent his later years focusing on his scholarly pursuits, contributing immensely to the preservation and promotion of Roman culture and knowledge.

5 Interesting Facts about Marcus Terentius Varro

1. Varro is often considered the most learned Roman of his time, having written over 600 books.

2. He was a supporter of Pompey during the Roman Civil War but was pardoned by Julius Caesar after Pompey’s defeat.

3. Varro’s work “De Re Rustica” is one of the oldest surviving texts on agriculture and farming practices.

4. He was instrumental in the establishment of Rome’s first public library, working under the direction of Augustus.

5. Varro’s scholarly work influenced later Roman authors, including Pliny the Elder and Aulus Gellius.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Marcus Terentius Varro

1. “Divine Nature gave the fields, human art built the cities.”

2. “The first and foremost rule of education is that the teacher must know the subject.”

3. “The person who does not know what to do with himself in his own house is not likely to know what to do with himself anywhere else.”

4. “It is the mark of a good action that it appears inevitable in retrospect.”

5. “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While exact figures for net worth are not applicable in the context of ancient Rome, Varro was known to be quite wealthy, owning multiple estates and having the resources to pursue extensive scholarly work.