Porcius Latro (-4 CE)

A Roman from Spain, he was very close friends with Seneca the Elder from childhood; they studied together with a Spanish rhetor called Marullus (Cont. 1 pr 22). Unfortunately, we do not know whether the school was in Cordoba or in Rome, though as it had 200 students, Rome seems more likely than Spain. When Seneca came to Rome in 38-36 BCE he attended the declamations given by Latro; he describes him extensively at Controversiae 1 pr. 13–24, but does not say a great deal about his life. Latro was influential on Ovid (Controversiae 2. 2. 8) who apparently imitated some of his Sententiae, but not very successful in court. He committed suicide in 4 CE.

Seneca cites him a great deal: more in the ealier Controversiae than the later, but he is cited in each one. Quintilian (Instiutes of Oratory 10.5) praised him highly as did Pliny the Elder. Pliny adds the extra detail that his followers (Natural History 20.57) drank a sort of tea made from cumin to imitate his pallor.