Gaius Asinius Pollio (76/75 BCE- 4 CE) was a politician, orator, poet, historian etc. etc. As part of the pleb gens Asinia, his (potential) grandfather was once leader of the Italic Marrucini peoples--leading them against Rome in the Social War. In regards to overall "vibe", according to Catullus, Pollio was "stuffed with charm and wit" (Catullus 12.8-9)... while his brother, Marrucinus Asinius, was out there stealing fancy table napkins. A poet himself, early in his life he mingled with Catullus and Calvus and would later be friends to both Horace and Virgil. His lost work, a historiography, highlighted by Horace in his Odes (Book 2.1) is thought to cover the period from 60 BCE to the Battle of Phillipi in 42 CE (or to the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE). His Historiae was used by both Plutarch and Appian. Pollio himself was a prominent figure, mentioned by Tacitus and Suetonius, among many others, and a respected (depending on who you're talking to) patron of the arts.
Pollio entered his political career by supporting Publius Cornelius Lentulus Spinther, a follower of Pompey, and backing the unsuccessful impeachment of Marcus Porcius Cato. Despite his affliations with Pompey, Pollio pursued his military career under Caesar in Italy, Sicily, Africa and Spain, becoming praetor in 45 BCE and governor of Hispania Citerior in 44. After Caesar's assassination, he managed to align himself with Antony. This may be due in part to his friendship with Antony as well as his friendship with Cicero. From 43 to the beginning of his consulship, he was loyal to Antony serving as a delegate in Cisapline Gaul-- where he prevented the confiscation of Virgil's property, which may have tightened their bond.
When his consulship began in 40 BCE, he took part in mediations that led to Treaty of Brundisium. Antony was thus betrothed to Octavian's widowed sister. delaying the imminent civil war. In 39, he successfully led a campaign against the Parthini, and for his efforts he received a triumph-- with the spoils, he set up a public library and art gallery in Rome. When tensions between Antony and Octavian ensued, Pollio, refusing to pick a side, stepped down from public life in 38 BCE. Pollio devoted the rest of his life to the arts-- literature, oration, poetry and of course, historiography
The timeline and happenings from 40-38 BCE vary between scholars.I believe this is one of many reasons why certain dates of Virgil's Eclogues are contested. As Professor Malamud mentioned, there may have been a canon of Eclogues where Pollio was centerstage, however, after his retreat from public life in 38 and Octavian's victory at Actium in 31, a new canon was produced lessening the prominence of Pollio.
Pollio entered his political career by supporting Publius Cornelius Lentulus Spinther, a follower of Pompey, and backing the unsuccessful impeachment of Marcus Porcius Cato. Despite his affliations with Pompey, Pollio pursued his military career under Caesar in Italy, Sicily, Africa and Spain, becoming praetor in 45 BCE and governor of Hispania Citerior in 44. After Caesar's assassination, he managed to align himself with Antony. This may be due in part to his friendship with Antony as well as his friendship with Cicero. From 43 to the beginning of his consulship, he was loyal to Antony serving as a delegate in Cisapline Gaul-- where he prevented the confiscation of Virgil's property, which may have tightened their bond.
When his consulship began in 40 BCE, he took part in mediations that led to Treaty of Brundisium. Antony was thus betrothed to Octavian's widowed sister. delaying the imminent civil war. In 39, he successfully led a campaign against the Parthini, and for his efforts he received a triumph-- with the spoils, he set up a public library and art gallery in Rome. When tensions between Antony and Octavian ensued, Pollio, refusing to pick a side, stepped down from public life in 38 BCE. Pollio devoted the rest of his life to the arts-- literature, oration, poetry and of course, historiography
The timeline and happenings from 40-38 BCE vary between scholars.I believe this is one of many reasons why certain dates of Virgil's Eclogues are contested. As Professor Malamud mentioned, there may have been a canon of Eclogues where Pollio was centerstage, however, after his retreat from public life in 38 and Octavian's victory at Actium in 31, a new canon was produced lessening the prominence of Pollio.
Honestly, after researching this, it is truly, truly remarkable that Pollio managed to stay alive. Kudos.
Bennett, H. (1930). Vergil and Pollio. The American Journal of Philology, 51(4), 325-342.
Berkowitz, L. (1972). Pollio and the Date of the Fourth "Eclogue". California Studies in Classical Antiquity, 5, 21-38.
Cairns, F. (2008). C. Asinius Pollio and the "Eclogues". The Cambridge Classical Journal, 54, 49-79. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
Morgan, L. (2000). The Autopsy of C. Asinius Pollio. The Journal of Roman Studies, 90, 51-69.
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