Publius Pomponius Biography and Timeline

Accusation after Fall of Sejanus

After Sejanus falls from power, Publius Pomponius is accused because of his association with the former praetorian prefect.

House Arrest

Tiberius places Publius Pomponius under prolonged house arrest after accusations connected with Sejanus.

Release under Caligula

After Tiberius dies, Caligula releases Publius Pomponius from confinement.

Governor of Crete and Cyrene

Publius Pomponius serves as governor of the senatorial province of Crete and Cyrene during Caligula's reign.

Caesonia Family Connection

Publius Pomponius is the maternal half-brother of Caesonia, who becomes the wife of Emperor Caligula.

Continues Provincial Career

Publius Pomponius continues his senatorial and provincial career after Claudius succeeds Caligula.

Consul

Publius Pomponius serves as suffect consul in Rome in 44.

Suffect Consulship

Publius Pomponius serves as suffect consul for part of the year 44.

Aeneas Tragedy

Publius Pomponius composes a tragedy titled Aeneas, one of the works associated with his literary reputation.

Dispute with Seneca

Ancient literary tradition records disagreements between Publius Pomponius and Seneca about questions of language and dramatic style.

Dramatic Writing

Publius Pomponius is recognized as a prominent writer of Latin tragedy during the reign of Claudius.

Theatrical Controversy

A theatrical audience jeers verses by Publius Pomponius, prompting Claudius to criticize the crowd's treatment of the senator and playwright.

Friendship with Pliny the Elder

Publius Pomponius becomes a friend of Pliny the Elder, who later writes a biography of him.

Owner of Gracchan Manuscripts

Pliny reports that Publius Pomponius possessed manuscripts said to preserve the handwriting of the Gracchi.

Literary Reputation

Publius Pomponius acquires a reputation as one of the leading tragic poets of his generation.

Campaign against the Chatti

As governor of Germania Superior, Publius Pomponius leads Roman forces against the Chatti.

Role range: 0050-0051

Governor

Publius Pomponius serves as governor and legionary commander in Germania Superior around 50–51.

Role range: 0050-0051

Recovery of Teutoburg Captives

Pomponius's campaign against the Chatti frees Roman survivors who had remained captive since the Teutoburg Forest disaster.

Role range: 0050-0051

Triumphal Ornaments

Claudius awards Publius Pomponius triumphal ornaments for his successful campaign against the Chatti.

Role range: 0050-0051

Upper Rhine Command

Publius Pomponius commands Roman forces along the Upper Rhine while serving as governor of Germania Superior.

Role range: 0050-0051

German Governorship

Publius Pomponius completes his governorship of Germania Superior after the successful Chatti campaign.

Role range: 0050-0051

Later Literary Fame

Later Roman critics remember Publius Pomponius more for his tragic poetry than for his military achievements.