Bruttedius Niger

Bruttedius Niger was a Roman orator and politician of the early imperial period. He also emerged as the author of a historical work.

Life

Bruttedius Niger was a pupil of the orator Apollodorus of Pergamon. Under Emperor Tiberius, he served 22 AD as aedile. In the same year he was one of Mitankläger of the consul of 10 AD, Gaius Junius Silanus. At the accusers of the reciter Junius Otho, the Bruttedius Niger was apparently as a model in the rhetoric at her.

The historian Tacitus recognizes the talent of Bruttedius Niger, but said that he had gone astray due to his ambition. According to the satirical poet Juvenal Bruttedius Niger was first a friend of the powerful praetorian prefect Lucius Aelius Sejanus, whose body he got trampled after his overthrow and death (31 AD).

From the historical work written by Bruttedius Niger Seneca the Elder has received two passages (43 BC) act of the murder of Cicero. About the death of this famous orator Seneca brings excerpts from other historians of his time, like Livy, Gaius Asinius Pollio, Aufidius Bassus, Aulus Cremutius Cordus and the poem of Cornelius Severus.