Virgil (70-19 BCE)

(Virgil Reading the Aeneid to Augustus, Octavia, and Livia, by Jean-Baptiste Wicar (1762–1834), [Public Domain] via Creative Commons)

The poet Publius Vergilius Maro, better known as Virgil, was born in the rural village of Andes, near the modern day region of Mantua, Italy. He grew up during a tremendous time of tumultuous change. In the 1^st Century BCE, the power of the Roman Senate was challenged by many powerful authoritarian figures. The dictator, Lucius Cornelius Sulla, had only been dead for nine years when Virgil was born, and Julius Caesar was leading Roman legions into modern Switzerland, France, Belgium and England during Virgil’s teenage years.

Snorri Sturluson (1179-1241)

The Life Of A Deceptively Deep Man And His Books Of History And Norse Mythology

(Print of Snorri Sturluson, c. 1899, by Christian Krohg (1852–1925), [Public Domain] via Creative Commons)

Snorri Sturluson (c. 1179-1241) was one of the greatest scholars of the Middle Ages. His fame comes primarily from two great feats of academia, the Heimskringla (History of the Kings of Norway) and The Prose Edda. The Heimskringla was an ambitious text that traced the history of Norway from mythical times up to the reign of King Magnus Erlingsson (r. 1162-1184). More authoritative than the average Icelandic saga, but more eloquent that the typical historical text of his time, the Heimskringla stands as one of the most unique works of the Middle Ages. Whereas the Heimskringla is a huge book, The Prose Edda is a very short and concise work. Yet, once the pages of The Prose Edda are opened and the words are read, the reader immediately understands why this short book became just as renowned as the Heimskringla. The Prose Edda, although small, is the most elaborate collection of Norse mythology known to exist from the Middle Ages. Snorri Sturluson, himself, is equally as deceptive as his handbook of mythology. While his name and works may, at first glance, conjure an image of a robed scholar penning down the legends and tales of his country, he was actually a much more interesting person than that—Snorri Sturluson was a rich, powerful and conniving Icelandic warlord who met a violent death.

Benjamin Franklin

(Benjamin Franklin Drawing Electricity from the Sky, painted by Benjamin West, circa 1816, [Public Domain] via Creative Commons)

While there is a long list of impressive founding fathers from the era of the United States Revolution, very few even come close to the brilliance of Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790). The lifestyle and mindset displayed by Franklin served as an early model for American character and continues to be an inspiration for the  ‘American Dream.’ His diligence and unending drive for knowledge and industry continue to enamor those who read his Autobiography and learn about his life. His rags-to-riches story has given hope to generations of people who want to build a better life for themselves through sheer wit and willpower. Over the course of his life, Benjamin Franklin underwent a tremendous transformation, from a poorly educated boy who ran away from his family, to a world-acclaimed statesman, inventor, scientist and diplomat who was received as a guest by at least five kings.

Apuleius (125-180 CE)

(Public Domain sketch of Apuleius)

The Roman author, and minor regional statesman, Apuleius (125-180 CE), is best known today for his hilarious book, The Golden Ass (also called Metamorphoses). His imaginative tale details the journey of a man named Lucius, who is transformed into a donkey through magic, and must suffer a long string of odd and humorous events throughout the Roman Empire. The Golden Ass was likely written within the last twenty years of Apuleius’ life, when he had settled down in Carthage.

Confucius (6th and 5th Century BCE)

(Confucius. Portrait by Wu Daozi (685-758), Tang Dynasty, [Public Domain] via Creative Commons)