companies, distinguished by the particular colour of their habits; the
principal of which were the white, the red, the blue, and the green.
Accordingly the spectators favoured one or the other colour, as humour
and caprice inclined them. In the reign of Justinian a tumult arose in
Constantinople, occasioned merely by a contention among the partisans of
these several colours, wherein no less than 30,000 men lost their lives.
M.]
135 (return) [ Now called Castello di Baia, in Terra di Lavoro. It was
the place the Romans chose for their winter retreat; and which they
frequented upon account of its warm baths. Some few ruins of the
beautiful villas that once covered this delightful coast still remain;
and nothing can give one a higher idea of the prodigious expense and
magnificence of the Romans in their private buildings than the manner in
which some of these were situated. It appears from this letter, as well
as from several other passages in the classic writers, that they
actually projected into the sea, being erected upon vast piles, sunk for
that purpose.]
136 (return) [ The buskin was a kind of high shoe worn upon the stage by
the actors of tragedy, in order to give them a more heroical elevation
of stature; as the sock was something between a shoe and stocking, it
was appropriated to the comic players. M.]
137 (return) [ Lyons.]
138 (return) [ He was accused of treason, under pretence that in a
dramatic piece which he composed he had, in the characters of Paris and
Oenone, reflected upon Domitian for divorcing his wife Domitia. Suet, in
Vit. Domit. C. 10. M.]
139 (return) [ Helvidius.]
140 (return) [ Upon the accession of Nerva to the empire, after the
death of Domitian. M.]
142 (return) [ Our authors first wife; of whom we have no particular
account. After her death, he married his favourite Calpurnia. M.]
143 (return) [ It is very remarkable that, when any senator was asked
his opinion in the house, he had the privilege of speaking as long as he
pleased upon any other affair before he came to the point in question.
Aul. Gell. IV. C. 10. M.]
144 (return) [ Aeneid, LIB. VI. V. 105.]
145 (return) [ Arria and Fannia.]
146 (return) [ The appellation by which the senate was addressed. M.]
147 (return) [ The tribunes were magistrates chosen at first out of the
body of the commons, for the defence of their liberties, and to
interpose in all grievances offered by their superiors. Their authority
extended even to the deliberations of the senate. M.]
148 (return) [ Diomed's speech to Nestor, advising him to retire from
the field of battle. Iliad, VIII. 302. Pope. M.]
149 (return) [ Nerva.]
150 (return) [ Domitian; by whom he had been appointed consul elect,
though he had not yet entered upon that office. M.]
151 (return) [ These persons were introduced at most of the tables of
the great, for the purposes of mirth and gaiety, and constituted an
essential part in all polite entertainments among the Romans. It is
surprising how soon this great people fell off from their original
severity of manners, and were tainted with the stale refinements of
foreign luxury. Livy dates the rise of this and other unmanly delicacies
from the conquest of Scipio Asiaticus over Antiochus; that is when the
Roman name had scarce subsisted above a hundred and threescore years.
"Luxuriae peregrinae origio," says he, "exercitu Asiatico in urbem
invecta est." This triumphant army caught, it seems, the contagious
softness of the people it subdued; and, on its return to Rome, spread an
infection among their countrymen, which worked by slow degrees, till it
effected their total destruction. Thus did Eastern luxury revenge itself
on Roman arms. It may be wondered that Pliny should keep his own temper,
and check the indignation of his friends at a scene which was fit only
for the dissolute revels of the infamous Trimalchio. But it will not,
perhaps, be doing justice to our author to take an estimate of his real
sentiments upon this point from the letter before us. Genitor, it seems,
was a man of strict, but rather of too austere morals for the free turn
of the age: "emendatus et gravis: paulo etiam horridior et durior ut in
hac licentia teniporuni" (Ep. III. 1. 3). But as there is a certain
seasonable accommodation to the manners of the times, not only extremely
Consistent with, but highly conducive to, the interests of virtue,
Pliny, probably, may affect a greater latitude than he in general
approved, in order to draw off his friend from that stiffness and
unyielding disposition which might prejudice those of a gayer turn
against him, and consequently lessen the beneficial influence of his
virtues upon the world. M.]
152 (return) [ See letter CIII.]
153 (return) [ Iliad, XXI. 387. Pope. M.]
154 (return) [ Iliad, V. 356, speaking of Mars. M.; Iliad, IV. 452.
Pope.]
155 (return) [ The design of Pliny in this letter is to justify the
figurative expressions he had employed, probably, in same oration, by
instances of the same warmth of colouring from those great masters of
eloquence, Demosthenes and his rival Aesehines. But the force of the
passages which he produces from those orators must necessarily be
greatly weakened to a mere modern reader, some of them being only hinted
at, as generally well known; and the metaphors in several of the others
have either lost much of their original spirit and boldness, by being
introduced and received in Common language, or cannot, perhaps, he
preserved in an English translation. M.]
156 (return) [ See 1st Philippic.]
157 (return) [ See Demosthenes' speech in defence of Cteisphon.]
158 (return) [ See end Olynthiac.]
159 (return) [ See Aesehines' speech against Ctesiphon.]
160 (return) [ It was a religious ceremony practised by the ancients to
pour precious ointments upon the statues of their gods: Avitus, it is
probable, imagined this dolphin was some sea-divinity, and therefore
expressed his veneration of him by the solemnity of a sacred unction.
M.]
161 (return) [ The overflowing humanity of Pliny's temper breaks out
upon all occasions, but he discovers it in nothing more strongly than by
the impression which this little story appears to have made upon him.
True benevolence, indeed, extends itself through the whole compass of
existence, and sympathises with the distress of every creature of
sensation. Little minds may be apt to consider a compassion of this
inferior kind as an instance of weakness; but it is undoubtedly the
evidence of a noble nature. Homer thought it not unbecoming the
character even of a hero to melt into tears at a distress of this sort,
and has given us a most amiable and affecting picture of Ulysses weeping
over his faithful dog Argus, when he expires at his feet:
"Soft pity touch'd the mighty master's soul; Adown his cheek the tear
unbidden stole, Stole unperceived; he turn'd his head and dry'd The drop
humane.". (Odyss. XVII. Pope.) M.]
162 (return) [ By the regimen which Pliny here follows, one would
imagine, if he had not told us who were his physicians, that the
celebrated Celsus was in the number. That author expressly recommends
reading aloud, and afterwards walking, as beneficial in disorders of the
stomach: "Si quis stomacho laborat, leqere clare debet; post lectionem
ambulare," &c. Celsi Medic. 1. I. C. 8. M.]
CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE EMPEROR TRAJAN
I -- TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN[1001]
THE pious affection you bore, most sacred Emperor, to your august father
induced you to wish it might be late ere you succeeded him. But the
immortal gods thought proper to hasten the advancement of those virtues
to the helm of the commonwealth which had already shared in the
steerage.[1002] May you then, and the world through your means, enjoy
every prosperity worthy of your reign: to which let me add my wishes,
most excellent Emperor, upon a private as well as public account, that
your health and spirits may be preserved firm and unbroken.
II -- To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN
You have occasioned me, Sir, an inexpressible pleasure in deeming me
worthy of enjoying the privilege which the laws confer on those who have
three children. For although it was from an indulgence to the request of
the excellent Julius Servianus, your own most devoted servant, that you
granted this favour, yet I have the satisfaction to find by the words of
your rescript that you complied the more willingly as his application
was in my behalf. I cannot but look upon myself as in possession of my
utmost wish, after having thus received, at the beginning of your most
auspicious reign, so distinguishing a mark of your peculiar favour; at
the same time that it considerably heightens my desire of leaving a
family behind me. I was not entirely without this desire even in the
late most unhappy times: as my two marriages will induce you to believe.
But the gods decreed it better, by reserving every valuable privilege to
the bounty of your generous dispensations. And indeed the pleasure of
being a father will be so much more acceptable to me now, that I can
enjoy it in full security and happiness.
III -- To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN
THE experience, most excellent Emperor, I have had of your unbounded
generosity to me, in my own person, encourages me to hope I may be yet
farther obliged to it, in that of my friends. Voconius Romanus (who was
my schoolfellow and companion from our earliest years) claims the first
rank in that number; in consequence of which I petitioned your sacred
father to promote him to the dignity of the senatorial order. But the
completion of my request is reserved to your goodness; for his mother
had not then advanced, in the manner the law directs, the liberal
gift[1003] of four hundred thousand sesterces, which she engaged to give
him, in her letter to the late emperor, your father. This, however, by
my advice she has since done, having made over certain estates to him,
as well as completed every other act necessary to make the conveyance
valid. The difficulties therefore being removed which deferred the
gratification of our wishes, it is with full confidence I venture to
assure you of the worth of my friend Romanus, heightened and adorned as
it is not only by liberal culture, but by his extraordinary tenderness
to his parents as well. It is to that virtue he owes the present
liberality of his mother; as well as his immediate succession to his
late father's estate, and his adoption by his father-in-law. To these
personal qualifications, the wealth and rank of his family give
additional lustre; and I persuade myself it will be some further
recommendation that I solicit in his behalf. Let me, then, entreat you,
Sir, to enable me to congratulate Romanus on so desirable an occasion,
and at the same time to indulge an eager and, I hope, laudable ambition,
of having it in my power to boast that your favourable regards are
extended not only to myself, but also to my friend.
IV -- To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN
WHEN by your gracious indulgence, Sir, I was appointed to preside at the
treasury of Saturn, I immediately renounced all engagements of the bar
(as indeed I never blended business of that kind with the functions of
the state), that no avocations might call off my attention from the post
to which I was appointed. For this reason, when the province of Africa
petitioned the senate that I might undertake their cause against Marius
Priscus, I excused myself from that office; and my excuse was allowed.
But when afterwards the consul elect proposed that the senate should
apply to us again, and endeavour to prevail with us to yield to its
inclinations, and suffer our names to be thrown into the urn, I thought
it most agreeable to that tranquillity and good order which so happily
distinguishes your times not to oppose (especially in so reasonable an
instance) the will of that august assembly. And, as I am desirous that
all my words and actions may receive the sanction of your exemplary
virtue, I hope you approve of my compliance.
V -- TRAJAN TO PLINY
You acted as became a good citizen and a worthy senator, by paying
obedience to the just requisition of that august assembly: and I have
full confidence you will faithfully discharge the business you have
undertaken.
VI -- To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN
HAVING been attacked last year by a very severe and dangerous illness, I
employed a physician, whose care and diligence, Sir, I cannot
sufficiently reward, but by your gracious assistance. I entreat you
therefore to make him a denizen of Rome; for as he is the freedman of a
foreign lady, he is, consequently, himself also a foreigner. His name is
Harpocras; his patroness (who has been dead a considerable time) was
Thermuthis, the daughter of Theon. I further entreat you to bestow the
full privileges of a Roman citizen upon Hedia and Antonia Harmeris, the
freedwomen of Antonia Maximilla, a lady of great merit. It is at her
desire I make this request.
VII -- To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN
I RETURN YOU thanks, Sir, for your ready compliance with my desire, in
granting the complete privileges of a Roman to the freedwomen of a lady
to whom I am allied and also for making Harpocras, my physician, a
denizen of Rome. But when, agreeably to your directions, I gave in an
account of his age, and estate, I was informed by those who are better
skilled in the affairs than I pretend to be that, as he is an Egyptian,
I ought first to have obtained for him the freedom of Alexandria before
he was made free of Rome. I confess, indeed, as I was ignorant of any
difference in this case between those of Egypt and other countries, I
contented myself with only acquainting you that he had been manumitted
by a foreign lady long since deceased. However, it is an ignorance I
cannot regret, since it affords me an opportunity of receiving from you
a double obligation in favour of the same person. That I may legally
therefore enjoy the benefit of your goodness, I beg you would be pleased
to grant him the freedom of the city of Alexandria, as well as that of
Rome. And that your gracious intentions may not meet with any further
obstacles, I have taken care, as you directed, to send an account to
your freedman of his age and possessions.
VIII -- TRAJAN TO PLINY
IT is my resolution, in pursuance of the maxim observed by the princes
my predecessors, to be extremely cautious in granting the freedom of the
city of Alexandria: however, since you have obtained of me the freedom
of Rome for your physician Harpocras, I cannot refuse you this other
request. You must let me know to what district he belongs, that I may
give you a letter to my friend Pompeius Planta, governor of Egypt.
IX -- To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN
I CANNOT express, Sir, the pleasure your letter gave me, by which I am
informed that you have made my physician Harpocras a denizen of
Alexandria; notwithstanding your resolution to follow the maxim of your
predecessors in this point, by being extremely cautious in granting that
privilege. Agreeably to your directions, I acquaint you that Harpocras
belongs to the district of Memphis.[1004] I entreat you then, most
gracious Emperor, to send me, as you promised, a letter to your friend
Pompeius Planta, governor of Egypt. As I purpose (in order to have the
earliest enjoyment of your presence, so ardently wished for here) to
come to meet you, I beg, Sir, you would permit me to extend my journey
as far as possible.
X -- To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN
I WAS greatly obliged, Sir, in my late illness, to Posthumius Marinus,
my physician; and I cannot make him a suitable return, but by the
assistance of your wonted gracious indulgence. I entreat you then to
make Chrysippus Mithridates and his wife Stratonica (who are related to
Marinus) denizens of Rome. I entreat likewise the same privilege in
favour of Epigonus and Mithridates, the two sons of Chrysippus; but with
this restriction [1005] that they may remain under the dominion of their
father, and yet reserve their right of patronage over their own
freedmen. I further entreat you to grant the full privileges of a Roman
to L. Satrius Abascantius, P. Caesius Phosphorus, and Pancharia Soteris.
This request I make with the consent of their patrons.[1005]
XI -- To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN
AFTER your late sacred father, Sir, had, in a noble speech, as well as
by his own generous example, exhorted and encouraged the public to acts
of munificence, I implored his permission to remove the several statues
which I had of the former emperors to my corporation, and at the same
time requested permission to add his own to the number. For as I had
hitherto let them remain in the respective places in which they stood
when they were left to me by several different inheritances, they were
dispersed in distant parts of my estate. He was pleased to grant my
request, and at the same time to give me a very ample testimony of his
approbation. I immediately, therefore, wrote to the decurii, to desire
they would allot a piece of ground, upon which I might build a temple at
my own expense; and they, as a mark of honour to my design, offered me
the choice of any site I might think proper. However, my own ill-health
in the first place, and later that of your father, together with the
duties of that employment which you were both pleased to entrust me,
prevented my proceeding with that design. But I have now, I think, a
convenient opportunity of making an excursion for the purpose, as my
monthly attendances ends on the 1st of September, and there are several
festivals in the month following. My first request, then, is that you
would permit me to adorn the temple I am going to erect with your
statue, and next (in order to the execution of my design with all the
expedition possible) that you would indulge me with leave of absence. It
would ill become the sincerity I profess, were I to dissemble that your
goodness in complying with this desire will at the same time be
extremely serviceable to me in my own private affairs. It is absolutely
necessary I should not defer any longer the letting of my lands in that
province; for, besides that they amount to above four hundred thousand
sesterces,[1006] the time for dressing the vineyards is approaching, and
that business must fall upon my new tenants.[1007] The unfruitfulness of
the seasons besides, for several years past, obliges me to think of
making some abatements in my rents; which I cannot possibly settle
unless I am present. I shall be indebted then to your indulgence, Sir,
for the expedition of my work of piety, and the settlement of my own
private affairs, if you will be pleased to grant me leave of
absence[1008] for thirty days. I cannot give myself a shorter time, as
the town and the estate of which I am speaking lie above a hundred and
fifty miles from Rome.
XII -- TRAJAN TO PLINY
You have given me many private reasons, and every public one, why you
desire leave of absence; but I need no other than that it is your
desire: and I doubt not of your returning as soon as possible to the
duty of an office which so much requires your attendance. As I would not
seem to check any instance of your affection towards me, I shall not
oppose your erecting my statue in the place you desire; though in
general I am extremely cautious in giving any encouragement to honours
of that kind.
XIII -- To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN
[1009] As I am sensible, Sir, that the highest applause my actions can
receive is to be distinguished by so excellent a prince, I beg you would
be graciously pleased to add either the office of augur or septemvir [1009]
(both which are now vacant) to the dignity I already enjoy by your
indulgence; that I may have the satisfaction of publicly offering up
those vows for your prosperity, from the duty of my office, which I
daily prefer to the gods in private, from the affection of my heart.
XIV -- To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN
HAVING safely passed the promontory of Malea, I am arrived at Ephesus
with all my retinue, notwithstanding I was detained for some time by
contrary winds: a piece of information, Sir, in which, I trust, you will
feel yourself concerned. I propose pursuing the remainder of my journey
to the province[1010] partly in light vessels, and partly in post-
chaises: for as the excessive heats will prevent my travelling
altogether by land, so the Etesian winds,[1011] which are now set in,
will not permit me to proceed entirely by sea.
XV -- TRAJAN TO PLINY
YOUR information, my dear Pliny, was extremely agreeable to mc, as it
does concern me to know in what manner you arrive at your province. It
is a wise intention of yours to travel either by sea or land, as you
shall find most convenient.
XVI -- To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN
As I had a very favourable voyage to Ephesus, so in travelling by post-
chaise from thence I was extremely troubled by the heats, and also by
some slight feverish attacks, which kept me some time at Pergamus. From
there, Sir, I got on board a coasting vessel, but, being again detained
by contrary winds, did not arrive at Bithynia so soon as I had hoped.
However, I have no reason to complain of this delay, since (which indeed
was the most auspicious circumstance that could attend me) I reached the
province in time to celebrate your birthday. I am at present engaged in
examining the finances of the Prusenses,[1012] their expenses, revenues,
and credits; and the farther I proceed in this work, the more I am
convinced of the necessity of my enquiry. Several large sums of money
are owing to the city from private persons, which they neglect to pay
upon various pretences; as, on the other hand, I find the public funds
are, in some instances, very unwarrantably applied. This, Sir, I write
to you immediately on my arrival. I entered this province on the 17th of
September,[1013] and found in it that obedience and loyalty towards
yourself which you justly merit from all mankind. You will consider,
Sir, whether it would not be proper to send a surveyor here; for I am
inclined to think much might be deducted from what is charged by those
who have the conduct of the public works if a faithful admeasurement
were to be taken: at least I am of that opinion from what I have already
seen of the accounts of this city, which I am now going into as fully as
is possible.
XVII -- TRAJAN TO PLINY
I SHOULD have rejoiced to have heard that you arrived at Bithynia
without the smallest inconvenience to yourself or any of your retinue,
and that your journey from Ephesus had been as easy as your voyage to
that place was favourable. For the rest, your letter informs me, my
dearest Secundus, on what day you reached Bithynia. The people of that
province will be convinced, I persuade myself, that I am attentive to
their interest: as your conduct towards them will make it manifest that
I could have chosen no more proper person to supply my place. The
examination of the public accounts ought certainly to be your first
employment, as they are evidently in great disorder. I have scarcely
surveyors sufficient to inspect those works[1014] which I am carrying on
at Rome, and in the neighbourhood; but persons of integrity and skill in
this art may be found, most certainly, in every province, so that they
will not fail you if only you will make due enquiry.
XVIII -- To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN
THOUGH I am well assured, Sir, that you, who never omit any opportunity
of exerting your generosity, are not unmindful of the request I lately
made to you, yet, as you have often indulged me in this manner, give me
leave to remind and earnestly entreat you to bestow the praetorship now
vacant upon Attius Sura. Though his ambition is extremely moderate, yet
the quality of his birth, the inflexible integrity he has preserved in a
very narrow fortune, and, more than all, the felicity of your times,
which encourages conscious virtue to claim your favour, induce him to
hope he may experience it in the present instance.
XIX -- To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN
I CONGRATULATE both you and the public, most excellent Emperor, upon the
great and glorious victory you have obtained; so agreeable to the
heroism of ancient Rome. May the immortal gods grant the same happy
success to all your designs, that, under the administration of so many
princely virtues, the splendour of the empire may shine out, not only in
its former, but with additional lustre.[1015]
XX -- To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN
Mv lieutenant, Servilius Pudens, came to Nicomedia,[1016] Sir, on the
24th of November, and by his arrival freed me, at length, from the
anxiety of a very uneasy expectation.
XXI -- To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN