History in 150 Words
Where does ‘Fortune Favors the Bold’ come from?
“Fortune Favors the Bold” is a popular quote. As it turns out, the story behind this saying has an ironic twist.
The phrase was uttered by Pliny the Elder, Roman navy commander, during a rescue mission as Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 ACE. His advisors suggested greater caution, but his only retort was: “Fortune favors the bold!” He sailed zealously across the bay under the threatening sky of the bellowing volcano.
Pliny should have listened to his advisors. He was stranded on the beach where he landed, and while he tried hard to encourage his men, he succumbed to the gases and destructive force of the volcano and died a horrible death. The only fortune that Pliny attained was the immortality of his famous quote.
This was my first story for Shortform. Let me know if you like ironic history. I have many more stories like this.
