Helvidius Priscus
Roman philosopher and statesman
Helvidius Priscus's AcademicInfluence.com Rankings
Download Badge
Philosophy
Why Is Helvidius Priscus Influential?
(Suggest an Edit or Addition)According to Wikipedia, Helvidius Priscus, Stoic philosopher and statesman, lived during the reigns of Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian. Biography Helvidius came from town of Cluviae, and his father had been the senior centurion of a legion. According to Tacitus, from early youth he devoted his brilliant intellect to academic studies, not in order to disguise ease and idleness under a pretentious name, but to arm himself more stoutly against the unpredictable fluctuations of fortune of a public career. As citizen, senator, husband, son-in-law and friend, he met the varied obligations of life in a consistent way, showing contempt for wealth, stubborn adherence to the right course of action and courage in the face of danger. Like his father-in-law, Thrasea Paetus, whose daughter Fannia he had taken as his second wife, Priscus was distinguished for his ardent and courageous republicanism. Although he repeatedly offended his rulers, he held several high offices. During Nero's reign he was quaestor of Achaea and tribune of the plebs ; he restored peace and order in Armenia, and gained the respect and confidence of the provincials. His declared sympathy with Brutus and Cassius occasioned his banishment in 66.
