Aulus Gellius (circa 125 – after 180 AD) was a Roman author and grammarian, best known for his work “Noctes Atticae” (Attic Nights). Born in Rome, Gellius belonged to the cultural milieu of the Second Sophistic, an era characterized by a revival of interest in classical Greek literature. “Noctes Atticae” is a collection of essays, anecdotes, and excerpts from various literary works. It consists of 20 books and covers a wide range of subjects, including literature, philosophy, language, and history. Gellius compiled this work during his stay in Athens, aiming to create a compendium of knowledge for his own intellectual development.
While Gellius’ work is not characterized by originality, it serves as a valuable source of information about the intellectual pursuits and literary tastes of the Roman elite during the 2nd century AD. His compilation reflects the broader trend of preserving and transmitting classical knowledge during the later years of the Roman Empire.
