Historians on the Letters of Pliny the Younger. Who is Pliny the Younger. Start of a brilliant career

and then greatly expanded for the book edition. This rather typical "royal speech" (p. 230), sustained in a pompous and solemn style, served as a model for numerous later "eulogies" to the Roman emperors. In matters of style, Pliny recognizes himself as "an admirer of the ancients", in particular Cicero, but he himself adds that he "does not despise the new."

The most important monument of Pliny's literary activity is his letters. These are not simple private letters intended for their addressees, but small, elegantly composed literary messages in prose, compiled with the expectation of publication. The nature of these letters is easily understood by comparison with those of Cicero. Cicero writes actual letters in which he tells his correspondents a wide variety of news: he returns to the same topics in further letters as events unfold. Not so with Pliny: his letter is usually devoted to one finished topic, and it is rarely the subject of subsequent letters. Artistic writing becomes the same instrument of literary fixation of a single life fact or mental mood at a certain specific moment, as epigrams, “silvas” or odes and messages of Horace were in poetry. The letters are also not arranged chronologically, but like poems in ancient collections - according to the principle of variation in content and tone.

The content is varied. Pliny talks about his Senate and court speeches, responds to the literary and everyday events of the day, gives characteristics of deceased writers and statesmen, describes villas, nature, addresses with congratulations, with expressions of gratitude or condolences. Two letters to the historian Tacitus are very famous, in which Pliny, at the request of Tacitus, describes the death of his uncle and the eruption of Vesuvius.

The nine books that make up the collection of Pliny's letters were later joined, as the tenth book, by Pliny's correspondence with Emperor Trajan, published independently of the main collection. These are actual letters, Pliny's requests for the administration of the province of Bithynia, and the emperor's reciprocal instructions. They are of great value to the historian; especially interesting is the letter in which Pliny asks what line he should take with regard to Christians.

The letters give a clear picture of the complacent, but self-satisfied and conceited author. Their main goal is self-image. Pliny must appear before posterity as a noble man, a humane slave owner, a philanthropist, a devoted friend and an excellent family man, as an outstanding writer. Like many figures from the time of the empire, Pliny does not expect glory in the ages from his civic activity ("it does not depend on us," says Pliny himself), but counts on literary immortality. To this end, he publishes speeches, letters, even frivolous rhymes, which he considers to be composed in the style of Catullus. Literary themes occupy a large place in the letters.

The circle of literary acquaintances of Pliny is very large. "There is hardly an amateur literary pursuits who wouldn't be my friend," he assures. He calls big number historians, orators

Among the prominent figures ancient rome a special place is occupied by Pliny the Younger, who left behind many writings that allowed historians of subsequent eras to get a more complete picture of the heyday of one of the greatest world empires. In particular, his works include the first documentary information about the life and struggle of the early Christian communities.

Adolescence and years of study

In 61, in the family of the official Lucius Caecilius Tsilonais, who held a high position in the municipality of the city of Como (the current administrative center of Lambardy), a son was born who was destined to enter world history under the name of Pliny the Younger. Why Junior? Because his maternal uncle bore the same name and, like his nephew, took an honorable place in world history, becoming famous for a number of works in which he described in detail the winding paths of development of the Roman state.

The role of this man in the life of Pliny the Younger is very significant, since it was he who replaced the boy's father, who died early, and helped him to receive a decent upbringing and education. Thanks to his patronage, the young man got the opportunity to take lessons from outstanding person of his era ─ Virginia Rufa, who went down in history not only as an outstanding teacher, but also as a major military leader. It is known that his authority among the soldiers of the Roman legions was so high that they repeatedly offered him the title of emperor, which he refused each time.

Victim of an angry volcano

Pliny the Younger was 18 years old when fate prepared for him the second bereavement after the death of his father - the tragic death of his uncle. This happened in 79, when the eruption of Vesuvius, familiar to us from the famous painting by K. P. Bryullov, fell with all the fury on the seaside city of Pompeii. At that time, Pliny the Elder commanded the Roman fleet and wished to personally see the extraordinary spectacle.

Coming close to the crash site on one of the ships and wanting to thoroughly study a rare natural disaster, he landed on the shore, but, without taking proper precautions, he was poisoned by sulfur fumes and died suddenly. The nephew also participated in the journey to the erupting volcano, but, unlike his uncle, wisely remained on board.

Modern scientists know this episode from a letter from Pliny the Younger to Tacitus, his contemporary, who became famous as one of the most famous historians and writers of the ancient world. In it, he describes in detail the clouds of smoke escaping from the mouth of the volcano, as well as the hail of stones and ash that showered the area. He also witnessed the beginning of the earthquake, which gave rise to a tsunami. In addition to Pompeii, the victims of the raging elements in those days were other two cities located at the foot of Vesuvius ─ Herculaneum and Stabiae.

Start of a brilliant career

Long before this tragic event, Pliny the Younger moved from his hometown Como to Rome, where he took rhetoric lessons from prominent political and public figures that time ─ Niketas Skodra and Quintilian. By the age of 18, he had so successfully comprehended the art public speaking that he was able to practice law on his own.

The next two decades were a period of steady career growth for Pliny. He began his ascent with the appointment to the post of priest of the cult of the emperor ─ there was such an official position in Ancient Rome. In those old days supreme rulers were equated with the gods, so blind worship of them was considered an integral part of patriotism and deep religiosity.

A gift of fate

Obviously, the Younger Pliny was very successful in this, since in the coming years he received several high posts both in the capital of the empire and on its outskirts. Sometimes it seemed that fate itself was favorable to him. For example, once the emperor Domitian, who was then ruling, received a denunciation about some dubious deeds done by Pliny, or, as the latter assured, attributed to him by envious people.

The emperor, who could not bear embezzlers, was going to put him to death, but unexpectedly died for everyone. When power passed to his successor, Emperor Mark Nerva, the unfortunate denunciation was lost somewhere, and Pliny received a new, even higher appointment, by the way, directly related to public finances.

Emperor's Favorite

The peak of his career growth, Pliny the Younger, reached during the reign of Emperor Troyan (a photo of his bust is given above), who greatly favored him and entrusted the most responsible tasks. So, in the year 100, the post of consul was added to Pliny's track record, and three years later he was introduced to the so-called augurate board, whose members were engaged in official state fortune-telling about the outcome of certain upcoming events. In addition, he held the high and honorary position of the caretaker of the Tiber ─ the river that still flows on the Apennine Peninsula.

During his life, Pliny was married three times, but had no children. It seemed that the gods, who generously endowed him with earthly blessings, were stingy on the heirs to whom he could leave them. And he had something to mention in his will. For example, over the years spent on public service, Pliny became the owner of three luxurious villas, two of which, located near his hometown of Como, he, as a truly poetic nature, called "Comedy" and "Tragedy". To his credit, it should be noted that, while holding high government posts, he never forgot this city and generously donated money for its improvement.

At the end of life

Pliny the Younger spent the end of his life in one of the Roman provinces called Bithynia and located between the Bosphorus and the Sangarius River. He was sent there as a legate ─ the official imperial envoy, whose main task was to eradicate the corruption in which local officials were hopelessly mired. History has not preserved for us information about how successfully he fought this evil of all times and peoples, but it is known for certain that it was there in 111 that his life path ended.

Letters from ancient times

Historians know about Pliny the Younger mainly due to the rich literary heritage left after him, which includes works of a wide variety of genres. In addition to their artistic merit, they are of value in view of the information they contain about the most diverse aspects of the life of the Roman Empire, covering the periods of the reign of three emperors ─ Domitian, Nerva and Trojan.

Very interesting, in particular, are the letters of Pliny the Younger, written in different periods his life and also recreating a picture of the reality surrounding him. Part of them, addressed to his last wife Calpurnia, is a high example love lyrics included in the golden fund of world literature. Today, 9 books have been published, which include all of his letters that have survived to this day.

Among the numerous sayings of Pliny the Younger, of particular interest are his remarks about the early Christian communities, which were widespread at that time, despite severe persecution by the official authorities. In particular, he notes the extraordinary steadfastness with which Christians defend their religion, and expresses doubts about whether it is worth attaching importance to the denunciations coming against them.

Afterword

Through an active role in political life country, as well as the abundance of historical works written during his lifetime and works of art, many of which have not survived to our time, Pliny firmly took a place in the history of ancient Rome. However, today it is known only to a narrow circle of specialists, as well as history buffs. Only in the world of business today is the name of Pliny the Younger occasionally mentioned. In Nyaganya - a city located in Khanty - Mansi autonomous region ─ it is immortalized in the name of one of the trading companies engaged in the sale of books and stationery.

17 years old, studied eloquence with Quintiliana, completed his education by studying philosophy, then devoted himself to public service. This was under the emperor Domitian. One of the insidious scammers raised an accusation against Pliny, which put his life in great danger, but the murder of Domitian saved him. Pliny the Younger earned the favor of the emperor Trajan, who made him consul and appointed him ruler of Bithynia two years later. He was a man of good fortune, very educated, had a noble character, remained pure from the prevailing vices, used his power and the confidence of the emperor in order to benefit society, to avert evil whenever possible. His compassion and humanity extended even to the not free people on his estates; but he was far inferior to his friend Tacitus in firmness of character, love of freedom, and generally lacked the civic prowess of the old days.

“Happiness was very favorable to Gaius Pliny the Younger,” says the scientist Bernhardi. - Powerful people and the emperor himself were disposed towards him; he had good friends, loved and often had the opportunity to render services to them, was rich, was happy in both his first and second marriages; His life was calm and full of joys. In a word, he was a noble man of the world, who tried to live in peace; he did not understand the deep ailments of his time. Imitating Cicero, he liked to use hours of pleasant leisure for correspondence with friends. The delicate, graceful tone of the letters of Pliny the Younger gives a high concept of the education of that time. They belong to the best monuments silver age Roman literature; but by the artificiality and embellishment of their elegance, by the courtly character of their thoughts, we see that then the time for free, courageous mental activity had already passed.

Pliny tries hard to imitate Cicero in his letters. Comparing these imitations with models, we clearly see how great was the change created in the minds of the people by the monarchical order, in which one sovereign commands, and all others obey his orders. But the tone of each letter of Pliny the Younger already shows what position in society the person to whom he writes occupies. Conditional polishing has replaced naturalness, the elegant tone of humanity is a sign of education, Pliny and Cicero are similar only in one thing - in vanity and in the naive complacency with which it manifested itself in them. Self-praise dominates and spoils the impression made by the words of Pliny, so that the most beautiful thoughts of his letters leave us cold.

The letters of Pliny the Younger were collected by him. They are divided into 10 books. last book is his correspondence with Trajan. He sends reports to the emperor, asks for his decisions; Trajan answers questions. This correspondence gives us a clear idea of the then administration of the Roman Empire, of the complete dependence of everything in the state on the will of the almighty emperor. The other nine books contain Gaius Pliny's letters to friends. They give us a lot of information about the domestic and social life of Rome, about legal proceedings, administration, and science. They contain many characteristics of wonderful people, many descriptions of localities, villas. There are stories about physical events, there are anecdotes from public life.

Monument to Pliny the Younger in his homeland, in Italian Como

With careful finishing, Pliny the Younger gave his letters a very elegant form. Many of them can be called exemplary for the delicacy and grace of tone. There are often excellent notes on the people and manners of the time. Very many letters are attractive for their benevolence, nobility of thoughts, moral purity, so that the author deserves the glory of one of the kindest and noblest people among ancient writers. But in Pliny the Younger, the desire to express himself beautifully, the love for antitheses, which are sometimes strained, the pursuit of witty, brilliant turns of words, are too noticeable.

Pliny the Younger was famous as an orator, but only one of his speeches has come down to us - the Panegyric to Trajan, which he delivered in the Senate in 100 to express gratitude to Trajan for receiving the consulate, and then revised and increased in volume. This work suffers from the same shortcomings as letters, but even more than they do: the artificiality of the style, the pursuit of brilliant turns, sonorous expressions is brought here to an extreme. In addition, the “Panegyric” is stretched out with rhetorical verbosity, the desire for picturesque paintings and is filled with courtly flattery.

In one of his letters, Pliny the Younger says that he wanted to give guidance to sovereigns in the Panegyric: “Teaching the sovereign what he should be is a wonderful task, but difficult, so taking it on is too proud. But praising an excellent sovereign and praising him is like putting a light on high for his successors, so that they go to this light - a useful and not proud thing. Since the time of Pliny, panegyrics to sovereigns have become fashionable. Imitation suffers from all the shortcomings of the model, without having its merits. It became the custom that on the feasts of the ordinary calendar, and at celebrations on special occasions, a famous Roman orator or high dignitary delivered a panegyric before the emperor, showering him with every vulgar flattery that one could think of. Two such panegyrics have come down to us. The author of one, the Gallic orator Claudius Mamertinus, praises the emperors Maximina and Diocletian, and in another rhetoric Eumenius - Constance Chlorine. Both of them do not know the measure of praise, they compare the sovereigns they exalt with both heroes and gods; both seem to regard servility as the highest of all virtues.

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Pliny the Younger

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Pliny the Younger(full name: Gaius Pliny Caecilius Secundus; lat. Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus listen)) (approximately -) - ancient Roman political figure and writer, lawyer.

Biography

Pliny performed well and completed the entire course state magistracies (curosus honorum): In 81, he was appointed priest of the cult of the emperor, in the city - a military tribune in Syria, in 83 - the head of the cavalry, in - quaestor, in - praetor, in - prefect of the military treasury. Pliny held all these posts during the reign of Domitian, and only the death of the princeps saved him from execution by denunciation. Under the emperor Nerva, he was appointed prefect of the Saturn treasury.

Russian translations:

Word of praise to the Emperor Trajan, spoken by the Roman Consul Caius Pliny Caecilius II. / Per. A. Nartova. St. Petersburg, .
Praise to Emperor Trajan. / Per. I. Tolmacheva. St. Petersburg, 1820.
Correspondence the younger Pliny with Emperor Trajan. St. Petersburg, 1863.
Pliny the Younger. Correspondence with Trajan. / Per. V. S. Sokolova. // VDI. 1946. No. 2.
Letters Pliny the Younger/ Per. M. E. Sergeenko (books I-VI, X), A. I. Dovatura (books VII-IX), V. S. Sokolov ("Panegyric to Trajan") 1st ed. M.-L., .
Letters of Pliny the Younger: Books I-X = Plini Secvndi Epistvlarvm: Libri I-X / Edition prepared by M. E. Sergeenko, A. I. Dovatur; Rep. ed. A. I. Dovatur (†); USSR Academy of Sciences. - Ed. 2nd, revised. - M .: Nauka, 1982. - 408 p. - (Literary monuments). - 50,000 copies.(in trans.)

Other translations:

In the Loeb classical library series, the letters and the Panegyric were published in 2 volumes (No. 55, 59).
In the "Collection Budé" series, letters and "Eulogy" in 4 volumes (published in 2009).

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Literature

Research:

Modestov V.I.,. Pliny the Younger // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.
Opatsky S.F. Pliny the Younger, literary figure of the times of Nerva and Trajan. - Warsaw, 1878. 275 p.
Sokolov V.S. Pliny the Younger: An Essay on the History of Roman Culture in the Time of the Empire. - M.: Publishing house of Moscow State University. 1956. 355 p.

Notes

An excerpt characterizing Pliny the Younger

“But we don’t know what their names are!” I whispered.
Leah, what are you doing here? – sounded already male voice.
- I'm looking for you, daddy. - Stella mentally answered in Leah's voice.
– How did you get here? I asked.
“Surely, just like you ...” was the quiet answer. – We were walking along the shore of the lake, and did not see that there was some kind of “failure” ... So we fell there. And there this beast was waiting... What are we going to do?
- Leave. I tried to answer as calmly as possible.
– And the rest? Do you want to leave them all? Stella whispered.
“No, of course I don’t! But how are you going to get them out of here?
Then some strange, round hole opened and a viscous, red light blinded his eyes. Head squeezed with ticks and deathly wanted to sleep ...
- Hold on! Just don't sleep! Stella screamed. And I realized that it had some kind of strong effect on us. Apparently, this terrible creature needed us completely weak-willed so that he could freely perform some kind of his own “ritual”.
“We can’t do anything ...” Stella muttered to herself. - Well, why doesn't it work? ..
And I thought she was absolutely right. We were both just kids who, without thinking, embarked on very life-threatening journeys, and now did not know how to get out of it all.
Suddenly Stella took off our superimposed "images" and we again became ourselves.
- Oh, where is mom? Who are you?... What did you do to your mother?! the boy hissed indignantly. "Get her back immediately!"
I really liked his fighting spirit, bearing in mind the hopelessness of our situation.
“The thing is, your mother wasn’t here,” Stella whispered softly. - We met your mother where you "fell" here from. They are very worried about you, because they cannot find you, so we offered to help. But, as you can see, we weren't careful enough, and ended up in the same terrible situation...
– How long have you been here? Do you know what they will do to us? I asked quietly, trying to speak confidently.
- We recently ... He always brings new people, and sometimes small animals, and then they disappear, and he brings new ones.
I looked at Stella in horror.
- This is a real, real world, and a very real danger! .. This is no longer the innocent beauty that we created! .. What are we going to do?
- Leave. - Again stubbornly repeated the baby.
We can try, can't we? Yes, and grandmother will not leave us if it is really dangerous. Apparently, we can still get out on our own if she doesn't come. Don't worry, she won't leave us.
I would like her confidence! .. Although usually I was far from shy, but this situation made me very nervous, because there were not only us, but also those for whom we came to this horror. And how to get out of this nightmare - I, unfortunately, did not know.
- There is no time here, but it usually comes at the same interval, approximately as there were days on earth. - Suddenly the boy answered my thoughts.
– Has it already been today? - Stella asked, obviously delighted.
The little girl nodded.
- Well, let's go? - she looked at me carefully and I realized that she was asking to “put on” my “protection” on them.
Stella was the first to stick her red head out...
- Nobody! she rejoiced. - Wow, what a horror! ..
Of course, I could not stand it and climbed after her. It really was a real “nightmare” there!.. Next to our strange “place of confinement”, in a completely incomprehensible way, human beings hung upside down in “bundles” ... They were hung by their legs, and created, as it were, an inverted bouquet .
We got closer - none of the people showed signs of life ...
- They are completely "pumped out"! Stella was horrified. “They didn’t even have a drop of vitality left! .. That’s it, let’s run away !!!
We rushed as fast as we could, somewhere to the side, absolutely not knowing where we were running, just to get away from all this blood-freezing horror ... Without even thinking that we could again fall into the same, or the same even worse, damn...
It suddenly got dark. Blue-black clouds rushed across the sky, as if persecuted strong wind although there has been no wind yet. In the depths of the black clouds dazzling lightning flashed, the peaks of the mountains blazed with a red glow... Sometimes swollen clouds were torn apart by evil peaks and dark brown water flowed from them like a waterfall. This whole terrible picture was like the most terrible of the terrible, a nightmare ....
- Daddy, darling, I'm so scared! - the little boy squealed thinly, forgetting his former militancy.
Suddenly, one of the clouds “broke”, and a dazzlingly bright light blazed out of it. And in this light, in a sparkling cocoon, the figure of a very thin young man, with a face as sharp as a knife blade, was approaching. Everything around him shone and glowed, black clouds “melted” from this light, turning into dirty, black shreds.
- Blimey! Stella screamed happily. - How does he do it?
- Do you know him? I was indescribably surprised, but Stella shook her head negatively.
The young man sank down next to us on the ground and with a gentle smile asked:
- Why are you here? This is not your place.
“We know, we were just trying to get to the top!” - the joyful Stella was already chirping all over. – Will you help us get back upstairs?.. We definitely need to get home faster! And then our grandmothers are waiting for us there, and here they are also waiting, but others.
The young man, meanwhile, for some reason, looked at me very carefully and seriously. He had a strange, piercing look, from which for some reason I felt embarrassed.
What are you doing here, girl? he asked softly. – How did you manage to get here?
- We were just walking. - I answered honestly. And so they were looking for. - Smiling at the "foundlings", she pointed at them with her hand.
"But you're alive, aren't you?" – could not calm down the savior.
Yes, but I've been here many times before. I answered calmly.
- Oh, not here, but "above"! laughing, my girlfriend corrected me. “We definitely wouldn’t come back here, would we?”
“Yes, I think this will be enough for a long time ... In any case, to me ...” I was already shivering from recent memories.
“You must get out of here. - Again, softly, but more insistently said the young man. - Now.
A sparkling "path" stretched out from him and ran straight into a luminous tunnel. We were literally drawn in without even taking a step, and after a moment we found ourselves in the same transparent world in which we found our round Leah and her mother.
Mom, Mom, Dad is back! And Great too!.. - little Leah rolled head over heels towards us, tightly clutching the red dragon to her chest. neck, squealing with delight.
I was happy for this family that found each other, and a little sad for all my dead “guests” who came to earth for help, who could no longer hug each other as joyfully, since they did not belong to the same worlds .. .
- Oh, daddy, here you are! And I thought you were gone! And you took and found! That's good, how! - the radiant girl squealed with happiness.
Suddenly, a cloud flew over her happy face, and it became very sad ... And in a completely different voice, the little girl turned to Stella:
Dear girls, thank you for your dad! And for my brother, of course! Are you going to leave now? And when will you be back? Here is your dragon, please! He was very good, and he fell in love with me very, very much ... - it seemed that right now poor Leah would burst into tears, so much she wanted to hold at least a little more of this cute marvelous dragon! .. And they were about to take him away and there will be no more...
Do you want him to stay with you? And when we get back, will you give it back to us? - Stella took pity on the baby.
At first, Leah was stunned by the happiness that suddenly fell on her, and then, unable to say anything, she nodded her head so strongly that she almost threatened to fall off ...
Saying goodbye to the joyful family, we moved on.
It was indescribably pleasant to feel safe again, to see the same joyful light flooding everything around, and not be afraid to be unexpectedly captured by some terrible, nightmarish horror movie ...

full name: Gaius Pliny Caecilius Secundus; lat. Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus

ancient Roman politician and writer, lawyer

short biography

(full name - Gaius Pliny Caecilius Secundus) - Roman writer, statesman - was born in the city of Comum (modern Italian Como) in 61 or 62. He became the successor of the family in a wealthy patrician family. Lucius Caecilius Cylon, his father, was an important official in the local municipality, his mother was the sister of Pliny the Elder, a well-known statesman and public figure.

Pliny the Younger grew up in an atmosphere of traditional political views, characteristic of the opposition of the Senate. His father died early, and he was adopted by his uncle, Pliny the Elder, who made sure that his adopted son received an excellent education. Among Pliny's mentors was the well-known political and military figure Virginius Rufus, who several times rejected the imperial title, which was proposed to be given to his soldiers.

At the beginning of 70, Pliny the Younger moved to Rome, where he studied at the rhetorical school with the teachers Quintilian and Niket Scodra. At the age of 18 or 19, he first joined the practice of law. Pliny the Younger completed a full course of state magistracy, at each of the stages he proved himself with the most better side. His career was fast-paced and successful. So, in 81 Pliny was a priest of the cult of the emperor, in 82 he was a Syrian military tribune, in 83 he was the head of the imperial cavalry, in 89 he was a quaestor, in 92 he was a praetor, in 94 he was a prefect of the treasury army.

However, not everything turned out brilliantly: because of the denunciation, he was almost executed, which he avoided thanks to the death of the princeps. During the reign of the emperor Nerva, Pliny the Younger was appointed prefect of the Saturnian treasury. The next emperor, Trajan, made the young politician his close associate. In 100, he was appointed to the post of consul, in 103 he was elected to the augurate college, in 110, Pliny the Younger was an ambassador for special assignments, an imperial legate. He was also the caretaker of the Tiber.

With all his employment in the public arena, Pliny was engaged in the practice of law almost all his life, participated in court hearings. His biography is mostly connected with Rome, however, Pliny never forgot about his native town, became his patron, and allocated a lot of funds for development. In particular, a library was built in Komum only with his money. It is known that he owned several villas, and two of them, located near his homeland, are still trying to restore, using the descriptions of their owner himself.

During the performance of one of the tasks of the emperor in the province of Bithynia, associated with the eradication of corruption, Pliny died suddenly, and it is not known exactly when he died and where he found his last refuge.

In history, the name of Pliny the Younger remained not thanks to his, albeit brilliant, state activity, but to letters that made up a whole ten-volume set, as well as the Panegyric in honor of Emperor Trajan. These letters are a unique and valuable source of knowledge of subsequent generations about the era of the Roman Empire. Here you can find materials related to history, culture, economy, life, portraits of the author's contemporaries. In addition, his letters have become classics of the epistolary genre of their historical period.

Biography from Wikipedia

(full name: Gaius Pliny Caecilius Secundus; lat. Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus) (approximately 61-113) - ancient Roman politician and writer, lawyer.

Born in 61 or 62 in the city of Como in a wealthy family. Father - Lucius Caecilius Cylon held an important position in the municipality, mother - Pliny, was the sister of Pliny the Elder - a famous antique statesman and author of the encyclopedic Natural History. Pliny lost his father early and was adopted by his uncle, who gave him an excellent education. Also, Pliny's teacher was Virginius Rufus, an ancient Roman military and political leader who several times refused the title of emperor offered to him by soldiers.

In the early 70s, Pliny the Younger moved to Rome, where he studied eloquence at the rhetorical school under the guidance of Quintilian and Niketas Scodra. At the age of 18 or 19, he first took up advocacy in the court of centumvirs.

Pliny proved himself well and passed the entire course of state magistracies ( curosus honorum): In 81, he was appointed priest of the cult of the emperor, in 82 - military tribune in Syria, in 83 - head of the cavalry, in 89 - quaestor, in 92 - praetor, in 94 - prefect of the military treasury. All these posts Pliny held during the reign of Domitian, and only the death of the princeps saved him from execution by denunciation. Under the emperor Nerva, he was appointed prefect of the Saturn treasury.

Emperor Trajan included Pliny in the circle of his associates. In 100, Pliny was appointed consul, in 103 he was elected to the augurate college.

He held the responsible position of the caretaker of the Tiber ( superintendents). Until recently, he did not leave the practice of law and participated in the provincial courts. Being married three times (there are letters addressed to his last wife, Calpurnia), he had no children. He was the owner of several villas in Italy, including two - not far from his hometown of Como with the names "Tragedy" and "Comedy". Until now, attempts are being made to reconstruct these villas according to the descriptions of Pliny himself. Most of the time spent in Rome, Pliny did not forget about the inhabitants of Como, was the patron of this city and donated a lot of money for its development. At his expense, a library was built in Como.

In 110, Pliny was appointed imperial legate to the province of Bithynia with the responsible task of eradicating corruption, but he died there suddenly. The exact date of Pliny's death and the place of burial are unknown.

Pliny's letters

Between 97 and 109 Pliny published 9 books of his letters. All of them have survived to our time, and are examples of the epistolary genre. The letters are addressed different people: with someone Pliny shares everyday worries, with someone he talks about poetry, with someone he discusses political events. Pliny's letters are an indispensable source of information about the life and structure of the Roman Empire during the times of Domitian, Trajan and Nerva.

In his letters to Tacitus, Pliny talks about the eruption of Vesuvius in 79, which he witnessed (Letters, VI-16, VI-20). He describes a huge cloud rising over the crater of a volcano, a hail of ash and stones, and an earthquake that led to a tsunami. Pliny describes the death of his uncle, who hastened to investigate this natural phenomenon. At first he went there with the squadron, which he then commanded, but then went ashore, where "from the thick fumes he caught his breath and closed his windpipe."

The tenth volume of Pliny's letters contains his correspondence with the emperor Trajan, with whom he was in a trusting relationship. Pliny consults with the princeps on business in Bithynia, reports on the facts of corruption. Also, Pliny's letters to Trajan contain one of the earliest references (from 05/26/2013 - story, copy) about Christians. Pliny talks about some of the Christian rites, about the steadfastness with which Christians defended their religion and did not want to honor the cult of the emperor. Pliny doubts whether he should be guided by anonymous denunciations to accuse Christians, and asks the emperor for advice. Trajan justifies his approach and advises not to pay attention to denunciations.

Oratory of Pliny and other bibliographic monuments

At the age of 14, Pliny wrote his first tragedy (in ancient Greek), it is mentioned in his letters: “I don’t know what it was; called a tragedy” (Letters, VII-42). Pliny the Younger paid much attention to his poems, which, according to him, were valued by his contemporaries as highly as the poetry of Tacitus, but have not survived to our time.

Pliny was an excellent orator. In his letters, he pays much attention to the nuances of oratory, the differences between Atticism and Asianism. In his writings, imitation of Cicero is noticeable. Numerous court speeches by Pliny were published and enjoyed popularity, including an accusatory speech against the Spanish governor Bebius Massa, but only the Panegyric to the Emperor Trajan has come down to us - a eulogy that Pliny delivered after his election as consul. In it, Pliny tells about Trajan's innovations in the field of laws, trade, military discipline and justice. Despite obvious flattery (such eulogies were obligatory when entering the position bestowed by the emperor), Pliny, in general, objectively evaluates the reign of Trajan. In his letters he calls him "The Best Princeps" ( optimus princeps).

Translations

Pliny's panegyric was translated by Epiphanius Slavinetsky, the translation has not been preserved.