Marcus Annaeus Lucanus (A.D. 39 - 65),
nephew of
Seneca the Younger.
Lucan was looked upon highly by then-emporer Nero, who, being rather erratic and emotional, became very envious of Lucan's writing ability, and banned public readings of poetry written by him. Because of this, and being rather irrational himself, he joined a conspiracy group who wanted to assasinate Nero (see Gaius Calpurnius Piso). He Lucan was found out, and felt it necessary to commit suicide. Supposedly, he died reciting his own poetry describing a soldier's death.
His suriving poem is called: The Bellum Civile or Pharsalia, an account of the Julius Caesar and Pompey.