Papirius Fabianus

Papirius Fabianus was an Ancient Roman rhetorician and philosopher from the gens Papiria, active during the reigns of Tiberius and Caligula in the first half of the 1st century AD. He was educated by Arellius Fuscus and Blandus in rhetoric, and by Quintus Sextius in philosophy. Despite being younger, he taught Gaius Albucius Silus eloquence. Seneca the Elder describes Fabianus's rhetorical style, noting his initial adherence to Arellius Fuscus's ornate style before adopting a less ornate form. Fabianus eventually abandoned rhetoric for philosophy, with Seneca the Younger ranking his philosophical writings alongside those of Cicero, Asinius Pollio, and Livy. Both Senecas held Fabianus in high esteem. His philosophical works were numerous, exceeding Cicero's in quantity. He also demonstrated considerable knowledge of natural sciences, with Pliny the Elder referring to him as 'rerum naturae peritissimus' (very experienced in matters of nature). His writings on physics, including 'De Animalibus' and 'Causarum Naturalium Libri', are referenced by Pliny.