Florus
Tentative biography
Tentative biography
-------------------

The Florus identified as Julius Florus was one of the young men who accompanied [Tiberius](/wiki/Tiberius "Tiberius") on his mission to settle the affairs of [Armenia](/wiki/Armenia "Armenia"). He has been variously identified with Julius Florus, a distinguished orator and uncle of Julius Secundus, an intimate friend of [Quintilian](/wiki/Quintilian "Quintilian") (*Instit.* x. 3, 13\); with the leader of an insurrection of the [Treviri](/wiki/Treviri "Treviri") ([Tacitus](/wiki/Tacitus "Tacitus"), *[Ann.](/wiki/Annals_%28Tacitus%29 "Annals (Tacitus)")* iii. 40\); with the *Postumus* of Horace (*Odes*, ii. 14\) and even with the historian [Florus](/wiki/Florus "Florus").

Under Domitian's rule, he competed in the Capital Competition, which was an event in which poets received rewards and recognition from the emperor himself. Although he acquired great applause from the crowds, he was not victorious in the event. Florus himself blamed his loss on favoritism on behalf of the emperor.

Shortly after his defeat, Florus departed from Rome to travel abroad. His travels are said to have taken him through the Greek\-speaking sections of the Roman Empire, taking in Sicily, Crete, the Cyclades, Rhodes, and Egypt.

At the conclusion of his travels, he resided in Tarraco, Spain. In Tarraco, Florus founded a school and taught literature. During this time, he also began to write the *Epitome of Roman History*.

After many years in Spain, he eventually migrated back to Rome during the rule of [Hadrian](/wiki/Hadrian "Hadrian") (117\-138 AD). Hadrian and Florus became very close friends, and Florus was rumored to be involved in government affairs during the second half of Hadrian's rule.


Who was Julius Florus?