person
Publilius Syrus
Publilius
Writer of mimes of the Caesarian age, famed for pithy moral maxims (sententiae). Seneca, conceding a good saying from a 'bad author,' quotes his line that what can happen to anyone can happen to all.
Reading notes
- Moral Letters to Lucilius §1.8.8 Publilius
Publilius Syrus (fl. 1st c. BC), a freed slave who became the most celebrated writer of mimes; his pointed one-line maxims were anthologized and prized as moral sententiae.