Commentary by jacqueline carlon oxford greek and latin college commentaries only 4 left in stock more on the way. Sherwinwhite dates the letter to 106107 and thinks that the book mentioned here sent by tacitus to pliny is different from the book mentioned in pliny epistula 8. Pliny s letters provide valuable information about his contemporaries. This is the first general introduction to pliny s letters published in any language, combining close readings with broader context and adopting a fresh and innovative approach to reading the letters as an artistically structured collection. View the new experience and read this book on fulcrum. The natural history book vii with book viii 4 pliny the elders natural history is a vast encyclopaedia, surveying natural phenomena from cosmology to biology, medicine to magic. Letters of pliny by pliny the younger full audio book. Gibson, reading the letters of sidonius by the book, in j.
Bruttius praesens this mans career, and plinys letter to him epp. A historical and social commentary oxford 1966 3637, with the summary of results at 41. Pliny the younger wrote hundreds of letters, of which 247 survive and are of great historical value. This final book was, significantly, not intended for publication. In this letter, pliny tries to firmly tie his star to tacitus. Pliny the younger wrote missives on anything from gossip about a recent dinner party to front page politics in first century ad, but perhaps the most fascinating letter included in this. This anthology offers a comprehensive introduction to pliny the youngers epistulae for intermediate and. The original source is pliny the younger, epistles 10. Book 7 of the natural history is a weird, fun read.
The letters, on which today his fame mainly rests, were largely written with a view to publication, and were arranged by pliny himself. This chapter examines plinys letter found in book 7, with particular reference to its status and some of the ways in which the letter was seen as the thing itself. Perseus provides credit for all accepted changes, storing new additions in a versioning system. He was educated at home and then in rome under quintilian. Pliny likely wrote the letters from amisus before his term ended in january 1. Tacitus has sent a book to pliny for his criticism. The present recess from business we are now enjoying affords you leisure to give, and me to receive, instruction. They thus lack the spontaneity of ciceros impulsive utterances, but to most modern readers who are not special students of roman history they are even more interesting. The text of books i to ix of the letters rests on three manuscript traditions, the 9 book, the 10 book and the 8 book, known as. Pliny, persuaded that the freedman was penitent, gave the refugee a stern lecture and then wrote to sabinianus on his behalf. The letters the thing in pliny, book 7 request pdf researchgate. The way pliny reasoned with his friend reveals the social rules of the day.
Firth 1900 a few words and phrases have been modified. This work is licensed under a creative commons attributionsharealike 3. Pliny book 1 pliny book 1, letter 1 english translation. Another fawning letter to his literary friend tacitus reporting that he will send comments on tacitus book perhaps a different book from the book of tacitus mentioned similarly in pliny epistula 7. Direct observation, informed speculation and common knowledge are combined to present a key snapshot of ancient thought and the romans perspective on the world around them.
I am obedient to your commands, my dear colleague, and i really am taking care of my eyes according to your instructions. I got pliny the youngers letter to trajan from the notes to eusebius ecclesiastical history, book iii, ch. In addition, however, it provides valuable insight into the extraordinary complex of ideas and beliefs current in pliny s era, many of which have resonances for other eras. Gaius plinius caecilius secundus, born gaius caecilius or gaius caecilius cilo 61 c. It is not known which book this refers to perhaps a book from the histories of tacitus.
Tacitus was maxime imitabilis, maxime imitandus by pliny when a youth. This anthology offers a comprehensive introduction to pliny the youngers epistulae for. He was at misenum at the time of the eruption of vesuvius in 79 described in two famous letters when the elder pliny died. An introduction this is the first general introduction to pliny s letters published in any language, combining close readings with broader context and adopting a fresh and innovative approach to reading the letters as an artistically structured collection. As a detailed study of the human animal, described by its author as the raison detre of nature, book seven of the elder pliny s natural history is crucial to the understanding of. I am extremely desirous therefore to know whether you believe in the existence of ghosts, and that they have a real form, and are a sort of divinities, or only the visionary impressions of. Pliny s uncle, pliny the elder, helped raise and educate him.
An xml version of this text is available for download, with the additional restriction that you offer perseus any modifications you make. Buy a cheap copy of the letters of the younger pliny book by pliny the younger. Chronology of the extortion trials chronology of the private letters in book x selection and distribution of correspondents the family of pliny the official career of pliny. Pliny is in a power position, sabinianus in the middle, and. Selected letters from pliny the youngers epistulae.
The oxford greek and latin college commentaries is designed for students in intermediate or advanced greek or latin. Pliny the younger, or gaius plinius caecilius secundus, was the nephew and adopted son of pliny the elder, the author of the famous and importantly influential natural history in thirtyseven. The younger pliny was born in 61 or 62 ce, the son of lucius caecilius of comum como and the elder plinys sister. Chapter 1 traces pliny s autobiographical narrative throughout the letters. Many of his vast circle of associates are visible elsewhere among the rich literary and epigraphic sources surviving for the flavian and trajanic periods, and in. Sherwinwhite cautions in the letters of pliny 219 and r. Letters of the younger pliny, first series volume 1.
I have a freedman named marcus, who has some tincture of letters. Commentary by jacques bailly university of vermont. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. As a detailed study of the human animal, described by its author as the raison detre of nature, book seven of the elder pliny s natural history is crucial to the understanding of the work as a whole. Pliny the youngers ninebook epistles is a masterpiece of roman prose. As an orator and a writer, pliny sought to emulate cicero, and the result was a series of highly literary letters that now offer insightful discussions of imperial life and political issuesincluding the persecution of early christians, which pliny had a direct role in.
Viii, and suggested as explanation a sequence of unhealthy seasons cf. The blog posts about the vesuvius eruption are on hold while i complete my book, pliny and the destruction of vesuvius routledge, 2021. Tacitus is asked to insert an episode in which pliny showed to advantage in connexion with the prosecution of baebius cf. The first detailed commentary on book 7 annotates the usual historical. You have constantly urged me to collect and publish the more highly finished of the letters that i may have written. Often mined as a historical and pedagogical sourcebook, this collection of private letters is now finding recognition as a rich and rewarding work in its own right.
This comprehensive general commentary on the nine books of the younger pliny s private letters which cover nearly aspect of roman life except warfareoffers a selfcontained discussion of each letter or group of associated letters and their rich array of information about the authors social, political, and legal life and times. I have read it two or three times and always notice something new of interest in the letters. Ad 611 was also a prolific letter writer, who numbered among his correspondents such eminent figures as tacitus. Pliny the younger, latin in full gaius plinius caecilius secundus, born 6162 ce, comum italydied c. A total of 107 letters exchanged between them while he was abroad constitute the tenth book of his epistulae, prefaced by fourteen more addressed to trajan earlier in pliny s career. Pliny the younger was the governor of bithynia and pontus on the black sea coast of anatolia, having arrived there around september 111 as the representative of emperor trajan. Suetonius and the uiri illustres of pliny the younger, in and eds. A comprehensive introduction to pliny the youngers epistulae, complete with extensive commentary. Tacitus in plinys letters dickinson college commentaries. The letters of pliny the younger gaius plinius caecilius secundus are presented here in the english translation by j. Selected letters from pliny the youngers oxford university press. It is also currently the best served book of the natural history in english, in that mary beagon has produced a translation and a scholarly commentary on the translated text that complements travillians edition of the latin text for students.
The historians request this post belongs to a serialized translation and commentary of pliny the youngers letters 6. On the contrary, when i consider the meaning of the term iselastic. This story i believe upon the affirmation of others. The letters of the younger pliny book by pliny the younger.
In a separate introduction to book x are discussed. Chapter 2 undertakes detailed study of book 6 as an artistic entity. Short biographies of the elder and younger pliny, setting the context for the vesuvian letters. Pliny book 1, letter 10 student commentary pliny book 1, letter. The second book is a typically varied yet taut suite of. The tenth book of pliny the youngers correspondence gathers only letters exchanged between pliny and the emperor trajan. Pliny the youngers nine book epistles is a masterpiece of roman prose. Pliny the elders natural history is a vast encyclopaedia, surveying natural phenomena from cosmology to biology, medicine to magic. Thc bones were collected, and buried at the public expense. In a separate introduction to book x are discussed bithynia. The comments at the bottom of the letters have been added from various sources.