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Gaius Plinius Caecilius SecundusAncient Roman politician and writer, lawyer
Country:
 Italy |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Political and Legal Career
- Imperial Service under Trajan
- Governor of Bithynia and Death
- Literary Legacy
- Oratory and Writings
Early Life and Education
Pliny the Younger was born in 61 or 62 AD in the wealthy northern Italian town of Como. His father, Lucius Caecilius Cilo, held an important position in local government, and his mother, Plinia, was the sister of the renowned statesman and encyclopedist Pliny the Elder. After losing his father at a young age, Pliny was adopted by his maternal uncle, who provided him with an exceptional education. His teacher, Virgilius Rufus, was a Roman general and politician who repeatedly declined the offer of emperorship from his troops.
Political and Legal Career
In the early 70s AD, Pliny moved to Rome to study oratory under the renowned teachers Quintilian and Nicetes Sacerdos. He began his legal career at age 18 or 19, pleading cases before the Court of the Hundred Men. Pliny quickly rose through the ranks of public offices, holding the positions of priest of the imperial cult, military tribune in Syria, commander of the cavalry, quaestor, praetor, and prefect of the military treasury. These posts were all granted during the reign of Emperor Domitian, and it was only the emperor's untimely death that saved Pliny from execution after a false accusation had been made against him.
Under Emperor Nerva, Pliny was appointed prefect of the treasury of Saturn.
Imperial Service under Trajan
Emperor Trajan held Pliny in high esteem and appointed him consul in 100 AD and augur in 103 AD. He also entrusted Pliny with the important task of supervising the maintenance of the Tiber River. Despite his growing responsibilities, Pliny continued his legal practice and participated in provincial trials. He married three times, but had no children. Among his possessions were several villas in Italy, including two near his hometown of Como named "Tragoedia" and "Comoedia." Scholars continue to attempt to reconstruct these villas based on Pliny's own descriptions.
Although he spent much time in Rome, Pliny was always mindful of his hometown and served as its patron, contributing financially to its development. He established a library in Como, a lasting legacy of his patronage.
Governor of Bithynia and Death
In 110 AD, Pliny was appointed imperial legate to the province of Bithynia to oversee efforts to root out corruption. However, he died shortly after arriving in the region. The exact date and location of his death remain unknown.
Literary Legacy
Between 97 and 109 AD, Pliny published nine books of letters. These epistles have become classics of the genre and provide an invaluable glimpse into the lives and times of Roman society under Emperors Domitian, Trajan, and Nerva. Pliny's letters cover a wide range of topics, from personal anecdotes to political commentary.
Notably, Pliny's letters to Tacitus include eyewitness accounts of the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD (Letters VI-16, VI-20). He vividly describes the towering ash cloud, the hail of rocks and ash, and the earthquake that triggered a tsunami. Pliny also narrates the death of his uncle, who had set out to investigate the eruption and died from asphyxiation.
The tenth book of Pliny's letters contains his correspondence with Emperor Trajan, with whom he maintained a close and confidential relationship. Pliny sought the emperor's advice on matters of administration in Bithynia and reported on allegations of corruption. These letters include one of the earliest known mentions of Christianity, in which Pliny describes Christian religious practices and their steadfast refusal to pay homage to the imperial cult. Unsure how to proceed with anonymous accusations, Pliny seeks guidance from the emperor, who advises him to ignore such charges.
Oratory and Writings
At age 14, Pliny composed his first tragedy (in Greek), the nature of which he later described as "unworthy of mention" (Letters VII-42). He also wrote poetry, which he claimed was highly esteemed by his contemporaries. However, none of Pliny's poetry has survived. He was also a skilled orator and devoted much attention to the nuances of public speaking in his letters. His oratorical style shows the influence of Cicero, and his numerous speeches were widely circulated and acclaimed. Only his "Panegyric to Trajan," which he delivered after being elected consul, has been preserved.
Despite its obvious flattery, the "Panegyric to Trajan" provides a generally accurate assessment of the emperor's reign, and Pliny refers to him as the "best of princes" (optimus princeps) in his letters.
