Marcus Annaeus Lucanus, known as Lucan, was a Roman poet born in Cordoba, Hispania Baetica (modern-day Spain). He moved to Rome with his family when he was young and received an excellent education. Under the patronage of Emperor Nero, Lucan achieved fame with his poetry, but soon fell into disgrace due to the emperor's envy. He became involved in a conspiracy against Nero, which led to his condemnation and the order to commit suicide in 65 AD. His main work, "Pharsalia" (or "The Civil War"), is an epic poem in ten books describing the struggle between Caesar and Pompey. The poem is notable for its vivid and often somber depiction of the horrors of war and for its analysis of the collapse of Roman republican institutions. "Pharsalia" is considered one of the most important works of late Latin poetry and has influenced many later writers.