In Natural History Book 7, Section 52 (traditionally cataloged under sections 173–174 of modern editions), Pliny the Elder explicitly references Lucius Aelius Lamia (referred to grammatically in the Latin text as L. Lamia). [1, 2]

The Latin Text

Pliny groups Lamia's fate with two other prominent Romans: [1, 2]

"Aviola consularis in rogo revixit... similis causa in L. Lamia praetorio viro traditur.... haec est condicio mortalium. ad has et eius modi occasiones fortunae gignimur, uti de homine ne morti quidem debeat credi." [1]

(Full text available at LacusCurtius)

The Context

The quote appears in a chapter regarding the unpredictability of human life ("condicio mortalium"). [1]

• The Story: Pliny cites the ex-praetor L. Lamia as an example of a presumed death, similar to a case involving a man named Aviola.
• The Fate: According to the text, Lamia revived on his funeral pyre, but the fire was too intense to save him, resulting in him being burned alive.
• The Conclusion: Pliny uses this tragic event to argue that human existence is so volatile that one cannot be certain of death itself. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

If you are exploring Roman history or Pliny's philosophy further, let me know if you would like to:

• Explore the historical identity of this Lucius Lamia and his connection to Cicero or the early Empire.
• Review other unusual medical or supernatural anomalies Pliny details later in Book 7.
• Examine the Roman funeral customs and laws regarding pyres that allowed these accidents to happen. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]