Have you ever read a book set in a different era & the writing just sucks you in, making you want to curl up into a chair next to the fireplace? That's how I felt while reading 'Letters of the Younger Pliny'. There's nothing fancy about the way it's written, nor are there overly convoluted plotlines to bog down the reader. This is really just a collection of correspondence that Pliny selected for publication into what now exists as a single volume, divided into a series of ten 'books' or what we know today simply as chapters.
Pliny the Younger's 'full' name with the accompanying titles was actually 'Gaius Plinius Luci filius Caecilius Secundus' but I'm sure you see why I'll just keep using the name 'Pliny the Younger'. He was initially a Roman attorney who specialized in cases of wills & inheritance who also would participate in the treason trials of prominent, high-ranking public officials. He was appointed to several positions throughout his career as Radice describes in the introduction, among them 'decemviri stlitibus iudicandis' & 'sevir equitum Romanorum', both minor posts in administration. Later he was appointed for a three-year term as 'Curator alvei Tiberis et riparum et cloacrum urbis', which roughly means 'President of the Tiber Conservancy Board & Roman sewage' which he apparently had a keen interest in, due to the position's involvement in diverting large bodies of water. Pliny, from what history tells us excelled at every assignment given to him, eventually being selected by the Roman emperor Trajan to govern the provinces of Bithynia & Pontus (today both are part of modern-day Turkey) a position he held until his death in 113 A.D. at the age of 52.
This edition features the translation work of Betty Radice, whom also wrote the immensely interesting introduction, which I would very much like to mention that I found it to be beneficial as both reference material for the main text & background info pertaining to Pliny's life & writing style. Readers with some familiarity in Roman history might be interested to read of the people Pliny writes his letters to : Gaius Suetonius, whom he addresses in the letters as 'Suetonius Tranquillus' was the author of 'The Twelve Caesars', a compilation of twelve short biographies of the first twelve emperors of Rome is from the letters a man close to Pliny's heart. He helps Suetonius out in various ways throughout the book. Cornelius Tacitus was Roman senator who authored what are considered to be the sole legitimate sources of Julio-Claudian era Roman history, 'The Annals' & 'The Histories' & another companion of Pliny's whose relationship we're able to read about through his letters to his friend.
The final 'book' in 'Letters of the Younger Pliny' is solely devoted to the Imperial correspondence between Pliny & Roman emperor Trajan following the statesman's promotion to governor over the Bithynia & Pontus provinces. The reader can pick up on Trajan's shrewd intellect when reading the carefully-worded responses, but it's quite clear that Trajan is very fond of Pliny, often granting requests perhaps better defined as indulgences, such as the awarding of citizen's rights for multiple cities for one of Pliny's freedmen which amounted to a convenience, a kindness to the freedman for the sole reason of his employment with Pliny. I'm quite sure the emperor's generosity was normally not even remotely as easily to obtain as it was here. Nonetheless it's nice to read about an emperor of Rome who wasn't a ruthless tyrant. Trajan wasn't perfect, but he had a heart. All of Pliny's Imperial correspondence occurred towards the end of his life after attaining the highest position of his career, 'legatus Augusti' or Imperial governor over the Bithynia & Pontus regions.
Pliny the Younger was married three times, from what history tells us. The first woman he married, died at a young age. He married a second time to a woman whose name is lost. She also passed away, leaving Pliny a widower. He eventually met & fell in love with a woman whom the book's introduction tells us was the orphaned granddaughter of the man who managed Pliny's estates, her name was Calpurnia. A handful of the letters Pliny writes are devoted to expressing his joy & gratitude in the new-found happiness that marriage has found for him. He writes in Book IV to his mother-in-law, Calpurnia Hispulla, of his wife : 'She has even set my verses to music & sings them, to the accompaniment of her lyre, with no musician to teach her but the best of masters, love.'
Another letter the Younger Pliny writes is his excited description to a friend speaking of his new house in the region of Laurentum, an Italian city located on the coast southwest of Rome. This isn't a book that contains the most profound, or significant, subject matter, but I still found myself becoming absorbed in the probably relatively-mundane topics which Pliny's work mainly contains, because his writing style helps with understanding the life he lived.
Pliny the Younger possessed intimate familiarity in many key areas of Roman law, affording to him a successful career as an attorney & civic administrator. He could be relied upon to achieve favorable results for legal situations in which he was involved. This won him influence with upper-level magistrates high-ranking officials, & when Rome had in power an emperor considered a tyrant, such as Domitian, he nonetheless showed respect to Pliny in the event there was a concern, or a recommendation. The letters show Pliny's rank & status fosters in him a fatherly demeanor with those he has affection for, eliciting his interest in furthering their careers or even simply offering praise of a decision he had no part in making, as he does in the example provided here. In book IV he speaks of a young man named Asinius Rufus to a senator, Minicius Fundanus in praise of his good character :'If anything is proof that I do not lack judgement, it must be my special affection for Asinius Rufus. He is an exceptional person, the devoted admirer of every good citizen,'. He goes on, saying further in the letter 'As things are - but I do not want to presume too far in speaking of my friend; I will only say that the young man is worthy to be treated as your son,'. The letters also reveal Pliny's affection in voicing his 'backing' or approval of young couples where he knew, or had positive opinions of their integrity or moral character. In Book VI, he writes to a Julius Servianus, after hearing that Servianus' daughter was engaged with Fuscus Salinator, a young man Pliny evidently had a high opinion of :'I can assure you (knowing him as I do) that he will be a son-in-law who will prove better than your fondest hopes could wish.'
Pliny the Younger, though still eons behind those of present day, in all likelihood treated women in a way much more socially acceptable by modern standards compared to his male contemporaries. His love & devotion devoted to his wife Calpurnia after being married & widowed, twice, strongly argue in favor of this. One of his letters, included in Book IV, is written to a Statius Sabinus on a mutually-acquainted woman whom he refers to only as 'Sabina', regarding a matter for which she had specific wishes to be addressed in a certain way, after her death. Sabina had a slave, Modestus, of whom she was very fond & before her untimely death, probably from an illness, she expressed to him that he was to be awarded his freedom. She did not formally document the intent in her legal will, yet she made Pliny & this man Statius Sabinus, her heirs. Probably because there existed a degree of trust. Pliny writes, 'and I think we ought to act as if she had set out in writing what she believed she had written.' There were numerous parties attempting to prevent this wish of Sabina's from being carried out, attempts that were quite unsuccessful thanks to Pliny honoring what he knew this woman would have wanted done, posthumously. What's so moving about this letter is that absolutely no one would have even given a second thought if Pliny had decided Sabina's request wasn't important enough to address the way she had wanted. That's how Roman society functioned. I suppose this instance alone indicates Pliny the Younger's basic attitudes regarding gender equality, his conduct speaks to what his words do not.
Pliny the Younger was a rare human being who for the most part, did not lose his desire to assist or praise those with less experience or fortune than himself. His personal success did not obstruct or diminish his nature, which I would believe to be regarded as more good than bad. His writing style is very intelligent yet still not difficult to read, as I found out reading the letters featured in 'Letters of the Younger Pliny'. Reading the work of a talented, successful individual still willing to bring positive attention or recognition to someone other than themselves is refreshing to read about, no matter when they lived in history. I'd wholeheartedly recommend 'Letters of the Younger Pliny' to any prospective reader who either wants to know more about Pliny's era or if they're simply seeking a change of pace.
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Recommend- these letters provide insight and evidence to Roman social and political history
I would recommend this book for anyone looking to study Roman history. These are late 1st century/ very early 2nd century letters written by eyewitnesses evidencing social and political Roman history, including the criminality of the first century Christian movement. The letters have a personal component to them alotting a more in-depth perspective. Cleanly translated to English. Pictures attached.
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Recommend- these letters provide insight and evidence to Roman social and political history
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2017
I would recommend this book for anyone looking to study Roman history. These are late 1st century/ very early 2nd century letters written by eyewitnesses evidencing social and political Roman history, including the criminality of the first century Christian movement. The letters have a personal component to them alotting a more in-depth perspective. Cleanly translated to English. Pictures attached.
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2017
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sandra jane
Excellent reading for history buffs.
Reviewed in Canada on August 16, 2018
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Fascinating portrait of life as a Senator, writer, and governor in Imperial Rome
Reviewed in Canada on January 18, 2020Christopher
One of the most interesting ancient primary sources available to us
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 3, 2022Mr. Stephen R. Bates
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