Cilo died at an early age , when Pliny was still young . As a result , the boy probably lived with his mother . His guardian and preceptor in charge of his education was Lucius Verginius Rufus , famed for quelling a revolt against Nero in 68 AD . After being first tutored at home , Pliny went to Rome for further education . There he was taught rhetoric by Quintilian , a great teacher and author , and Nicetes Sacerdos of Smyrna . It was at this time that Pliny became closer to his uncle Pliny the Elder . When Pliny the Younger was 17 or 18 , his uncle Pliny the Elder died attempting to rescue victims of the Vesuvius eruption , and the terms of the Elder Pliny 's will passed his estate to his nephew . In the same document the younger Pliny was adopted by his uncle . As a result , Pliny the Younger changed his name from '' Gaius Caecilius Cilo '' to '' Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus '' ( his official title was '' Gaius Plinius Luci filius Caecilius Secundus '' )
Vesuvius eruption
Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79
Pliny the Younger