Pliny the Younger quotes his uncle , Pliny the Elder , as using the phrase when deciding to take his fleet and investigate the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 , in the hope of helping his friend Pomponianus : '' Fortes ' inquit ' fortuna iuvat : Pomponianum pete . '' ( Fortune ' , he said , ' favours the brave : head for Pomponianus . ) The expedition cost the elder Pliny his life
eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79
Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79
Fortune favours the bold