THELETTERSOFTHEYOUNGERPLINY

PLINYwasborninlateA.D.61orearly62,thesonofLuciusCaeciliusofComum. He probably had tutors at home before continuing hiseducationinRome;therehecameinclosercontactwithhisuncle, thepolymath Elder Pliny who, on his death in the eruption of Vesuviuswhich destroyed Pompeii, left the Younger Pliny his estate, havingadoptedhimasason.GaiusPliniusLucifiliusCaeciliusSecundus,ashewasthereafterknown,beganhiscareerattheBarwhenhewaseighteen,and specialized in cases of inheritance. He managed to emergeunscathed from Domitian’s ‘reign of terror’, even being appointed anofficial at the Treasury, and he held a similar appointment afterDomitian’sdeath.In103hewasawardedapriesthoodinrecognitionofhis distinguished public service, and was prominent in several majorprosecutions. His final senatorial appointment was to represent theEmperorTrajaninBithyniaandPontus,wherehediedprobablyin113.Hewasgiventheconsulshipattheveryearlyageofthirty-nine,andwasmarried three times. His nine books of personal letters (a socialcommentary on his times) were selected by Pliny himself and werepublished inhis lifetime,whilehisofficial correspondencewithTrajanwas published as a tenth book after his death and contains thecelebrated exchange of letters on the early Christians. Of his manyspeeches, only the Panegyricus, addressed to Trajan in thanks for hisconsulship,survives.

BETTYRADICEreadclassicsatOxford,thenmarriedand,intheintervalsofbringing up a family, tutored in classics, philosophy and English. Shebecame jointeditorof thePenguinClassics in1964.Aswellaseditingthe translation of Livy’s The War with Hannibal she translated Livy’sRomeandItaly,theLatincomediesofTerence,TheLettersofAbelardandHeloiseandErasmus’sPraiseofFolly,andalsowrotetheIntroductiontoHorace’sTheCompleteOdesandEpodesandThePoemsofPropertius,allfor the Penguin Classics. She also edited and introduced EdwardGibbon’sMemoirsofMyLifeforthePenguinEnglishLibrary.SheeditedandannotatedhertranslationoftheyoungerPliny’sworksfortheLoebLibrary of Classics, and translated from Italian, Renaissance Latin andGreekfortheOfficinaBodoniofVerona.Shecollaboratedasatranslatorin theCollectedWorks of Erasmus in preparation by theUniversity ofTorontoandwastheauthorofthePenguinreferencebookWho’sWhointhe Ancient World. Betty Radice was an honorary fellow of St Hilda’sCollege, Oxford, and a vice-president of the Classical Association. Shediedin1985.

THELETTERSOFTHEYOUNGERPLINY

TRANSLATEDWITHANINTRODUCTIONBY

BETTY RADICE

PENGUINBOOKS

PENGUINBOOKS

PublishedbythePenguinGroup

PenguinBooksLtd,80Strand,LondonWC2R0RL,England

PenguinPutnamInc.,375HudsonStreet,NewYork,NewYork10014,USA

PenguinBooksAustraliaLtd,250CamberwellRoad,Camberwell,Victoria3124,Australia

PenguinBooksCanadaLtd,10AlcornAvenue,Toronto,Ontario,CanadaM4V3B2

PenguinBooksIndia(P)Ltd,11CommunityCentre,PanchsheelPark,NewDelhi–110017,India

PenguinBooks(NZ)Ltd,CnrRosedaleandAirborneRoads,Albany,Auckland,NewZealand

PenguinBooks(SouthAfrica)(Pty)Ltd,24SturdeeAvenue,Rosebank2196,SouthAfrica

PenguinBooksLtd,RegisteredOffices:80Strand,LondonWC2R0RL,England

www.penguin.com

Thistranslationfirstpublished1963

ReprintedwithSelectBibliography1969

29

Copyright©BettyRadice,1963,1969

Allrightsreserved

Except in theUnitedStatesofAmerica, thisbook is sold subject to thecondition that it shallnot,bywayof tradeor

otherwise,belent,re-sold,hiredout,orotherwisecirculatedwithoutthepublisher’spriorconsentinanyformofbinding

orcoverotherthanthatinwhichitispublishedandwithoutasimilarconditionincludingthisconditionbeingimposed

onthesubsequentpurchaser

9780141915944

TOE.V.RIEU

magistrodiscipula

Contents

Introduction

BOOKONE

BOOKTWO

BOOKTHREE

BOOKFOUR

BOOKFIVE

BOOKSIX

BOOKSEVEN

BOOKEIGHT

BOOKNINE

BOOKTEN

AppendixA:Inscriptions

AppendixB:PlanofPliny’sHouseatLaurentum

AppendixC:TableofEvents

AppendixD:KeytoTechnicalTerms

MapofCentralandNorthernItaly

MapofBithyniaandPontus

Bibliography

IndexofProperNamesandPlaces

Familiar letters written by eye-witnesses, and that, without design, disclosecircumstances that letusmore intimately into importantevents,aregenuinehistory; and as far as they go,more satisfactory than formal premeditatednarratives.

HoraceWalpoletoSirJohnFenn,29June1784

Introduction

‘There is a bareness about an age that has neither letter-writers nor

biographers.’ VirginiaWoolf1 was writing about Dorothy Osborne andthe seventeenth centurywhen ‘the bare landscape becomes full of stirandquiverandwecan fill in thespacesbetween thegreatbookswiththevoicesofpeople talking’.TheRomansare the first letter-writersofthe Classicalworld, or, rather, theirs are the letterswhich chance haspreserved to satisfy our curiosity about people as persons, each oneunpredictable and full of contradictions anddifferent fromhis fellows.Greek literature keeps the quality of bareness: the great sweeps ofthoughtarethere,andthemagnificentpowertoanalysehumancapacityand weakness, but there is no one, with the possible exception ofSocrates,whose personal idiosyncracies are known.We pick up scrapswherewecan–fromAristophanesorXenophonorPlutarch;andtherearethepitiablyfewundisputedlettersofPlatoorthetouchingdetailsofhumblepersonswhich survive in the occasional papyrus letter, but noone reveals himself as the true letter-writer never fails to do. So theGreek statue stands aloof with his stylized enigmatic smile, while theRoman portrait bust is recognizably someone like ourselves, and itsirregularfeaturesspeakforasingleindividualatapointoftime.

Roman letters can take many forms. Cicero’s poured out freely,

without thought of subsequent publication, and the Emperor Marcus

Aureliusandhistutor,M.CorneliusPronto,wrotealmostdailytoeachother letters which are personal and wholly unselfconscious. Horace,Statius and Martial addressed verse letters to their friends; Plinypublished his personal letters himself in carefully arranged selections.But it is a fallacy to suppose that only the first type of letter is self-revealing – we come to know Chesterfield andWalpole through theirletters, if not as intimately as the Pastons or Charles Lamb. Horace’sformof letter-essay,whichreappears inMontaigneandAddison,neverloses its personal note, and Pliny’s letters have a wealth ofautobiographical detail to capture the imagination and ‘fill in thespaces…withthevoicesofpeopletalking’.

Cicero is generally thought to be most representative of the greatwritersof the lateRepublic, andhis lettersprovide themost revealinginformation about his times. It is 150 years before the Empire has itsletter-writer in Pliny. He has left a more faithful and less prejudicedpictureofRomeasheknewitthandidanyofhiscontemporaries,andinhimwecanbestseehowaRomanofhisclasslivedandthoughtattheturn of the first century. It is also possible to build up a remarkablycompleterecordofhiscareerandhispersonallife,forwhichallthefactscomefromfourinscriptions(themostimportantofwhicharetranslatedonpages303–4)andhisletters:thereare247lettersintheninebooksofthepersonalcorrespondence,and121officialletterstoandfromtheEmperorTrajanpublishedseparatelyinatenthbook.

HewasseventeenatthetimeoftheeruptionofVesuvius inA.D.79(VI:20),sowasborninlate61orearly62,thesonofLuciusCaeciliusof

Comum. Both the Caecilii and his mother’s family, the Plinii, ownedpropertyinthedistricttowhichseverallettersrefer.Fromthefactthathesaysnothingabouthisfather,andfromaninscriptionrecordingthelatter’sbequeststohistwosonsandaconcubine,Lutulla,itissupposedthathisparentswereseparatedandPlinylivedwithhismother;afterhisfather’s early death he had Verginius Rufus as guardian, the famousRufuswhohadputdowntherevoltofVindexagainstNeroin68(VI:10andIX:19),andwhosedeathattheageofeighty-threeisdescribedinanearlyletter(II:1).AstherewasnoschoolatComum(IV:13)heprobablyhad tutors at home; a systemhe recommends to his friends (II:18 andIII:3).Hementionswithatouchofamusementthe‘tragedy’hewroteinGreekat theageof fourteen (VII:4).Hecame toRome tocontinuehiseducation and attended the lectures ofNicetes Sacerdos, awell-knownteacher of rhetoric from Smyrna, and those of the great teacher andwriterQuintilian,whomVespasianhadappointedasasalariedprofessorofrhetoric(VI:6).InRomehecameinclosercontactwithhismother’sbrother, the polymath Elder Pliny, who died during the eruption ofVesuvius;PlinyandhismotherwerethenstayingatMisenumwheretheunclewasincommandofthefleet(VI:16and20).

Underthetermsofhisuncle’swillheinheritedthefullestate,andachangeofname indicateshis adoptionbywill as a son.HenceforwardhisofficialtitleisGaiusPliniusLucifiliusCaeciliusSecundus.Hebeganhiscareeratthebarattheageofeighteen(V:8)andmentionsanearlysuccessbeforetheCentumviralCourt(V:8)–theRomanChanceryCourtwhich specialized in cases of inheritance andwhichwas to be Pliny’sspecialspherethroughouthisactivelifeinthecourts(VI:12).Aboutthistimehemarriedhisfirstwife,andsoonafterhissenatorialcareerbegan

with his appointment to a minor magistracy as one of the decemviristlitibus iudicandis who presided over the panels of the CentumviralCourt,HewasthenmilitarytribuneoftheThirdGalliclegion,probablyfor the minimum six months, and served in Syria as auditor of theauxiliaryforces’accounts(VII:31).TherehemettheexiledphilosophersEuphratesandArtemidorus(I:10andIII:II).Afteranotherminoroffice(sevirequitumRomanorum)hewasoneof thequaestorsattachedtotheEmperor’sstaffwhoconveyedhismessagestotheSenate(VII:16).This

wasin88or89.1In91hewastribuneofthepeopleandfeltithisdutytosuspendhispracticeatthebar(I:23).TheEmperorDomitianallowedhimtoproceedtothepraetorshipin93withoutwaitingforthestatutoryyear’s interval (VII : 16), and in the same year he appeared for theprosecution in the firstof the fourpublic trialsofprovincialgovernorswhichwere to occupyhimat intervals formany years. BaebiusMassawasconvictedinthecasebroughtbytheprovinceofBaetica(VII:33),but then retaliated by charging Pliny’s colleague, Herennius Senecio,with high treason. Senecio was one of the leaders of the ‘Stoicopposition’totheEmperors,andhisconvictionandexecutionmarkthebeginningofthereignofterrorforwhichDomitianisremembered,andwhich is so vividly recalled in Tacitus’s Agricola. The leaders of theoppositionwereputtodeathandmanyoftheirsupporterswereexiled,but thoughPlinyafterwardsdescribedhimselfassurroundedby fallingthunderbolts (III: 11) he emerged unscathed. Indeed, he was given athree-yearTreasuryappointmentasoneoftheofficialsinchargeofthemilitaryTreasury.

Domitian was assassinated in September 96, and Pliny took theopportunity to vindicate the Stoic Helvidius Priscus by charging his

prosecutorPubliciusCertus(IX:13).ButthespiritofNerva’sreignwasagainst rakingupthemisdeedsofhispredecessor,andPlinyhadtobecontentwiththetactthat,thoughCertuswasoneoftheofficialsoftheTreasuryofSaturn,andthisusuallyledtotheconsulate,hewaspassedover;andwhenhediedsoonafter,PlinysucceededtohisTreasurypostalong with his friend Cornutus Tertullus. This too was a three-yearappointment;inPliny’scasefrom98to100.Therehadbeenchangesinhis personal life; his first wife had died and he hadmarried again atsomedateunknown;hissecondwifediedjustbeforethetrialofCertus.Heremainedonfriendlytermswithhermother,PompeiaCelerina,andappearstohavemanagedherinvestmentsforher(III:19).HisguardianVerginiusRufusandhisoldfriendandadvisorCorelliusRufushadalsodiedatthebeginningofNerva’sreign(I:12andII:1).

InaletterwrittentoTrajansoonafterhisaccessioninJanuary98(X:3a), Pliny seeks official permission to conduct the case against thegovernorofAfrica,MariusPriscus,whilestill inhisTreasurypost,andelsewheredescribesthetrialindetail(II:11and12).Priscuswasfoundguilty in January 100, and soon afterwards Pliny agreed to conduct asimilar .prosecution ofCaeciliusClassicus onbehalf of the province ofBaetica(III:4).HewasworkingonthiswhenheandCornutusTertulluswereconsuls together for twomonths (September toOctober100)andPliny moved the official vote of thanks to the Emperor which hesubsequently elaborated and published as ‘the Panegyricus (III: 13 and18).Classicuswasconvictedinthefollowingyear,butPlinyhadtowaituntil103beforereceivingapriesthood,theusualdecorationformeritinhisday.HewasdulyelectedaugurtofillthevacancyleftbythedeathofFrontinus(IV:8).Trajan’sanswertohisearlierpetitionforapriesthood

(X:13) isnotpreserved. (Ina short inscription found inavillagenearComo,Pliny’sofficialtitlesincludethatofpriestofthedeifiedEmperorTitus;thismusthavebeenanhonourbestowedbyhisnativetown.)HemarriedhisthirdwifeCalpurnia,orphanedgranddaughterofCalpurniusFabatus, a wealthy citizen of Comum who evidently supervised themanagement of Pliny’s estates in the district (VI:30). Pliny writes atouchingaccountof thisnewmarriage(IV:19),andhisdevotion tohisyoung wife and grief at her miscarriage and subsequent sterility areundisguised(VII:5andVIII:IO).Trajan’sconfermentoftheprivilegesofparentsofthreechildrencanhavebeenonlypoorconsolation.

At the end of his Treasury duties Pliny was again active in theCentumviralCourt,thoughhelookedforwardincreasinglytohonourableretirement(II:14).Healsoactedfrequentlyasassessor,eitherintheCityprefect’s court (VI:II)or toTrajanhimself (IV:22).TwomorebigcasesinvolvinggovernorsofBithyniaoccupiedhim;hedefendedJuliusBassusduringthewinterof102–3(IV:9),andVarenusRufus in thatof106–7(V:20). He accepted another three-year office in 104 when he waselectedpresidentoftheTiberConservancyBoard(CuratoralveiTiberisetriparumetcloacarumurbis;V:14)andsowasresponsibleforkeepingtheriver banks in repair to prevent flooding and for maintaining Rome’ssewers.Plinymusthaveenjoyedthis;practicalproblemsofwatersupplyand drainage had always interested him and he probably knew theworksoncivilengineeringofhisfriendFrontinus.

Finally came his appointment to a special commission as theEmperor’srepresentativeintheprovinceofBithyniaandPontus,apostsimilartothatheldinGreecebytheMaximustowhomPlinyaddressesa

famous letter of advice (VIII:24). Themere fact that the province hadbrought charges against two successive governors indicated thatsomethingwasverywrongwith itsaffairs,bothpoliticalandfinancial,andPlinywastotourthetowns,writereportsonhisfindings,andsettlelesserproblemson thespot.TrajandoubtlesschosehimbecauseofhisknowledgeofBithynianinterestsgainedthroughhisthoroughhandlingofthedefenceofBassusandVarenus;hewasalsoarecognizedexpertonfinance.He arrived in time to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday on 18Septemberin(X:17b),andhewasontourinPontuswhenheconductedthe annual ceremony forTrajan’s accessionon28 January113;but asthereisnomentionofbirthdaycelebrationsfor113,presumablyhediedbefore September 113, and evidently with his work unfinished. (Hiscolleague in the consulship, Cornotus Tertullus, was sent out later inTrajan’s reignwith the same powers, and Tiberius Julius Severus wassimilarlysenttherebyHadrian.)CalpurniatravelledoutwithPliny;theletters break off with Trajan’s authorizing her return to Italy by theImperial Post service, so that she could be with her aunt as soon aspossibleafterhergrandfather’sdeath.SheandPlinycouldnothaveseeneachotheragain.

Thiswasasuccessfulcareer.Itwasveryraretoholdtheconsulshipat the early age of thirty-nine; Pliny’s colleague Tertullus was twentyyearsolder.ItwasalsoraretoholdtwoTreasurypostsinsuccession.Itis interesting thatnoneof the lettersmentions the firstof these,whenthe only other appointments not recalled are the local priesthood atComum and the twominor offices held at the onset of his career andscarcelyworthamentionaftertwentyyears. It is infactonlyfromtheComoinscriptionthatweknowthatDomitianchosePlinytofillthepost

in themilitary Treasury, and itmay be that hewished his readers toforget that he owed anything to an Emperor whom he presents as amonster of tyranny and caprice. He was friendly with a great manypeoplewhosuffereddeathorexilefortheirpoliticalviews,andthoughhesaysmorethanoncethathetookrisksontheirbehalf(III:IIandIV:24)perhapshefeltsomeembarrassmentwhentheexilesof93returnedtofindhimprosperousandunscathed.This isnottosuggestthatPunywas a time-server; but his interests were not really political, and hisprofessionalexperiencewasfinancialandlegal,withthelawofpropertyashisspecialsphere.Inafamousoutburst intheAgricola(Chapter42)Tacitus quotes his father-in-law’s career as an example to prove that‘evenunderbadEmperorstherecanbegreatmen’;Plinytooisawitnessto the fact that competenceandhonesty can survivea corrupt régime.Someonemustkeeptheciviladministrativemachineworking,andit isthePlinysofalltimesandplaceswhoformacivilbureaucracytocarryonwhilegovernmentscomeandgo.

The nine books of the personal letters, carefully selected andarrangedbyPlinyhimself,werecertainlypublished inhis lifetimeandbeforehewentouttoBithynia.Theorderisroughlychronological,butveryfewletterscanbefirmlydatedbyindependentevidence,especiallyasthemaindatesofPliny’scareerarealsoindoubt.Thetheorythatthebooks were published year by year, starting before the death ofVerginius Rufus in January 97 (II:1) cannot be proved, and it seemsmuchmorelikelythatwhenPunysaysinhisintroductoryletter‘Ihavemadeacollection…’ thathe iswriting some timeafter thedateof theletters in Book 1 though he arranges them to give an impression of‘taking them as they came tomy hand’. Perhaps Books I-III appeared

together,withtheletteronthedeathofMartialclosingthischapter,andtheremainingbooks inpairsor threes:a singlebookwouldhavebeenratheraslendervolumeevenforaneditorascautiousandpainstakingasPliny. His last important public case (that of Varenus) ends not laterthantheearlypartof107.BetweenthatdateandthatofhisdepartureforBithyniainIIIwouldseemtobealikelytimeforPlinytobedividinghistimebetweenLaurentumandTifernumandspendingtheretirementhe had long anticipated (IV : 23) in sorting, selecting and arranging

letterswhichhadaccumulatedoveraperiodofyears.1Earlieronheisnot sufficiently advanced in his career and too busy delivering andrevising his speeches for publication (V: 8) to consider publishinganythingelse.Onthis theoryBooks I-IIIcover theyears97 to102butarecompiledandpublishedsomefiveyearslater;BooksIV-VIIdealwitheventsof103to107;andBooksVIII-IXrefertotheyears108to109andcannothavebeenwrittenlongbeforetheyweremadepublic.

The earlier letters are in fact far fuller of events and show PlinyactiveinRome,professionallyintheCentumviralCourtandtheSenate,and personally inmanyways; revising his speeches andwriting verse,carryingout social engagementsand spending longhoursat theverse-readings of his many friends, and writing tactfully phrased letters ofrecommendationforthosewhosecareershehopedtofurther.Theyalsocontainthetributestothegreatmenwhohadinfluencedhisearlyyears,CorelliusRufus,SiliusItalicus,VerginiusRufusandhisuncle.BytheendofBookVIIourpictureofPliny’syouthandearlycareerisascompleteashe isgoing tomake it, and the last letterexpressinghishope tobeincludedinTacitus’sHistoriesseemstocloseachapter.BooksVIIIandIXcontainonlyonelongletteronaprofessionalsubject(IX:13),andthis

referstohisvindicationofHelvidiusPriscusmorethantenyearsearlier.Book ix is almost wholly descriptive, literary, or reflective; Pliny isenjoying his leisure at Tifernum, with plenty of time for reading andcontemplation,andforwritingliterarycriticismorphilosophicadvicetohisfriends.TwicehewritesofhisprideandpleasureatbeingrecognizedasanauthorandcoupledwithTacitus,withthequietassuranceofonewhofeelshehasreachedhisgoal(IX:13and24).Thereisnoindicationthattheseriesoflettersisended,thoughoneletter(IX:2)mayhintthatretirement from professional life in Romemay result in a shortage ofletters worthy of publication. But whatever Pliny’s intentions, hisappointmenttothespecialcommissioninBithyniaandPontusmarkstheendofthelifeofcultivatedleisurehehadplannedinoneoftheearliestletters (II:14). It is greatly to his credit that the new stimulus andresponsibilitybringoutthebestinhim.

BithynialayalongthesouthcoastoftheBlackSeaandhadbeenlefttoRomeby thewillof its lastking in74B.C.Nineyears laterPompeyextendedtheprovinceeastwardsbytheadditionofthewesternpartofthekingdomofPontus,andlaiddownitsconstitutionbythelexPompeiato which Pliny refers in his letters to Trajan (X: 80, 112, and 114).NicomediaandAmastriswerethecapitalcitiesofthetwohalvesoftheprovince, but only Chalcedon and Amisus were ‘free and confederate’cities(X:92),andtherewereonlytwocoloniaeorRomansettlements,inTrajan’s rime: Apamea (X: 47) and Sinope. Though it was on theEuropeansideoftheBosporos,ByzantiumbelongedadministrativelytoBithynia(X:77).AfterAugustus’sreorganizationoftheEmpire,Bithyniawasgovernedasa senatorialprovincebyaproconsul.Severalof thesegovernors are mentioned by Pliny: Lappius Maximus under Domitian

(X:58), Servilius Calvus under Nerva (X:56), and Julius Bassus andVarenus Rufus whom Pliny had defended in their trials formaladministrationin103and106.

TheproblemsconfrontingPlinyweremainlythree:politicaldisorder,municipal bankruptcy arising out of unregulated public spending, andirregularitiesinadministrationbothcentralandlocal.Thattherewasarisk of political disturbance in the province is evident from Trajan’sreluctancetopermitpeopletoformsocietiesevenforsuchpurposesasafire brigade or mutual benefit, and no less from Pliny’s doubtsconcerning the Christians. Though they appeared to do nomore thansupporta‘degeneratesortofcultcarriedtoextravagantlengths’andhadceased to holdmeetings sinceTrajan’s ban on political societies, Plinyfelttherewasariskoftheirfanaticismspreadingfromthetownstoruraldistricts.Trajan’sattitudeiscalmandimpartial(seex:96–7andnote).

Pliny’s reports as he tours the cities have a recurrent theme. Prusahaslargedebtsasaresultofbadcontractsandstillneedspublicbaths;Nicomedia has squandered vast sums on two abandoned attempts atbuildinganaqueduct;Nicaeahasthrownawaymoneyonatheatreandgymnasiumwithouthaving the site surveyed; andClaudiopolis is busywithanimpracticableplanforagymnasium.Plinyisindefatigableinhisefforts to remedyabadproject, to improve theamenitiesof thecities,andtoensurethattherewillbemoneytocoverexpenditure.Heasksforauthority toprovideSinopewithawater supplyand to coveranopensewer in Amastris in the interests of public health, and he convincesTrajanthatcommunicationsatNicomediacanbeimprovedbycuttingacanalfromanearbylaketothesea.

There are also irregularities of all kinds to report, some perhapstrivial inthemselves,butall indicativeofadministrative inefficiencyordishonesty.InonetownPlinyfindsthatslaveshavefoundawayintothelegions,inanotherthatpersonscondemnedtoexilearestillatlarge.Hehas to seekofficial rulings todefine the legalpositionof foundlingsortheageofentrytoalocalsenateandthelegalityofadmittedsenators’payinganentrancefee.Plinywritesfluentlyandprecisely,andTrajan’sbriefer replies are always to the point and explicit on principles forPliny’s guidance: good administration must be in the interests of thepeople, tradition must be respected, and nothing is to be gained byretrospective penalties for the deficiencies of the past. Pliny has oftenbeen unfairly criticized for consulting Trajan unnecessarily. But onlysixty-oneletterswereaddressedtoTrajanoveraperiodofnotquitetwoyears, and, if the testimonials and formal congratulations on publicanniversariesareexcepted,Plinywrotenotmorethanfortytimesaskingfor guidance on specific points; and a large proportion of these lettersfallintothefirstyearofhisappointment.Today,whencablesandlong-distancetelephonecallscanpassasfreelyasofficialdispatches,itdoesnotseemthatPlinywasundulycommunicative foramanonaspecialcommissioninadisturbedarea.Thereisnodirectevidenceforallhedidonhisowninitiative,whichmusthavebeenconsiderable,especiallyinhissecondyear.WhenheobtainsinstructionstodealwiththebuildingproblemsatNicomediaandNicaea,presumablyhedealswiththem,forhe does not raise the subject again; and when the state of a city’sfinancescallsfornocomment,evidentlyhefoundnothinghecouldnotsettle himself. Nor can the letters provide evidence for Trajan’s unduepreoccupation with routine detail; his secretariat would acknowledge

formalmessagesanddraftsomeofthebrieferreplieswhilepassinguptohim the more important issues.’ Trajan to Pliny’ is often a Whitehallformula,ofthepattern‘IamdirectedbytheLordsCommissionersoftheBoardoftheAdmiralty’inaclerk’sletter.Sometimesthereisnodoubtthat Trajan is writing himself, and he may be revealed in a trace ofimpatienceoramusement,buttherelationshipbetweenthetwowasoneof mutual trust and appreciation, with some real warmth of feeling.Here, too, is not the decline and fall of the Empire, but a livingindicationofwhyitstoodsolong.

Bookxaswehaveitwaspublishedposthumously;bywhomthereisnoindication–Suetonius,perhaps,oranotherofPliny’sliteraryfriends.ThecorrespondencedealingwithBithyniaisprefacedbyfourteenshortletters addressed to Trajan in which Pliny offers congratulations orthanksforhonoursconferred,ormakesrequestsonbehalfoffriendsanddependants.MostoftheseseemtodatefromtheearlyyearsofTrajan’sreign,and it is surprising thatnomore letterswere tobe found in theimperial filesoramongPliny’spersonalpaperstoaddtothisrecordofthe relations between one of the best of Rome’s Emperors and hisdevotedservant.

MorethanahundredpersonshavelettersaddressedtotheminBooksI to IX, andmanymore are referred to by name. Some are deservingyoungmen,often fromprovincial Italy,aboutwhomthe letters tellnomorethanthatPlinywishedtofurthertheircareers,thoughfromothersourceswemayknowthattheywondistinction.Forexample,theFuscusSalinator and Ummidius Quadratus whose early success at the bargladdened Pliny’s heart (VI: II) both reached the consulship after his

deathandmarriedintotheimperialfamily;onemarriedHadrian’snieceandtheotherthesisterofMarcusAurelius.Theyreceiveseverallettersof advice and appreciation. Other correspondents are better known.There are professional colleagues such as Titius Aristo, the jurist, andCalestrius Tiro and Voconius Romanus, two of Pliny’s closest friends.ThereareliterarymenlikeTacitusandSuetoniusandliteraryaspirantssuchasPompeiusSaturninusandSentiusAugurinus(I:16andIV:27)ofwhomPlinywritesinglowingterms.HeisalwaysappreciativeofoldermenlikeSpurinna,whoselifecouldbeenviableinhislateseventies(III:1),andArriusAntoninus,whoretainedallhisliterarygifts(IV:3);andthere are family letters to Calpurnia’s grandfather and the aunt whobroughtherup,aswellastoPompeiaCelerina,themotherofhissecondwifeinwhoserelativesPlinycontinuedtotakeaninterest(X:51).

SeveralnamesshowthatPlinynever lost touchwithhisbirthplace,

LakeComo,thetownanditspeople.1Hisvisitsnorthwererare,butheremains sentimentally attached to the familyproperty (II: 15) and canwritewistfully to Caninius Rufus about ‘our darling Comum’when hesees no chance of escaping there (I: 3 and II: 8). Calvisius Rufus is atown-councillor of Comum and is empowered to act for Pliny (V: 7);Annius Severus (III: 6) is commissioned tohave apedestalmade for astatuePlinywishestopresent;AtiliusCrescensisaboyhoodfriendandneeds help with his money affairs; and Metilius Crispus owes hispromotiontocenturion’sranktoPlinyandreceivesasubstantialsumtopay for his outfit and equipment (VI: 8 and 25). There is aMaximusfromVerona(VI:34),andMiniciusAcilianus(I:14)comesfromBresciawith amother from Padua. Verginius Rufus is a native ofMilan, andSpurinna isprobablyanorth Italian:hiswifeCottiahasaCelticname

from the region of Turin. These Italians have the virtues which Plinymostadmires:hard-working,loyalandresponsible,theyhaveagenuinesimplicityuncontaminatedbythelifeofagreatcity,asimplicitywhichPlinyneverlosthimself.

ItwasperhapsthroughtheircommonbackgroundthatPlinycametoknowseveralmembersofwhatisoftencalledthe‘Stoicopposition’; itsleader, Thrasea Paetus, was a native of Padua. This opposition to theimperialrègimewasnottrulyStoicindoctrine,foritopposedrulebyakinginanyform,whereastheStoicsacceptedtheprincipleofmonarchyprovideditwasputintopracticebyaphilosopher-king.ThraseaPaetus’slongcampaignagainstNeroandexecutionin66aredescribedfullybyTacitusinAnnals,XVI;morethantwentyyearspreviouslyhisfather-in-law, Caecina Paetus, had joined in a conspiracy against Claudius and

had been compelled to commit suicide.1 Pliny quotes Thrasea withadmirationmorethanonce(VI:29andVIII:22)andpaysaneloquenttributetothedevotedlifeandheroicdeathofCaecina’swifeArria(III:16). Thrasea’s daughter Fannia married Helvidius Priscus: he too wasexecutedforseditiousoppositionbyVespasian,butleftasonbyhisfirstwife, another Helvidius, to carry on the tradition. This Helvidius wasexecutedbyDomitianin93alongwithhissupportersArulenusRusticusandHerenniusSenecio;othermembersofhispartywerebanishedanddid not return until after Domitian’s death (III: II). Pliny was thenhonoured to be asked by Rusticus’s brother to find a tutor for hisorphaned nephews (II:18) and a husband for his niece (I:14). Pliny’snaturalrecommendationforthelatterpositionwastheyoungmanfromBresciaandPadua.Fanniaandhermotherheknewwell (VII:19)andfromthemhelearnedabouttheelderArria’sheroismofmorethanfifty

years back. Plinywaswell aware that he himselfwas not cast for theroleofheroandmartyr, and thismaybewhyhewasattracted to thepersonalitieswho championed a cause he did not actively support. Assuggested above, his admiration for their courage was perhaps tingedwithembarrassmentwhentheexilesreturned.Buthecouldrecallwithpride some years after how he spoke in the Senate in vindication ofHelvidius (IX: 13), and the published version of his speech wasconsideredoneofhisbest(VII:30).WhenHelvidius’sdaughtersbothdiein childbirth and their brother is left alone to continue the line, Plinyrepeats that’ my love for their father has remained constant since hisdeath, asmydefence of himandmypublished speeches bearwitness’(IV: 21). This record of four generations of independence and couragecertainlyinfluencedhimdeeply.

TherewerefewpeopleleftattheendofthefirstcenturywhocouldtracetheirdescentfromtheoldfamiliesoftheRepublicanandAugustannobility,andnoneofthesereceivesaletterfromPliny.IftherewasatopsetinRome,evidentlyhisprovincialoriginsandtasteskepthimoutofit.Theabsenceofcertainliterarynamesismoresurprising.ThelastdaysofSiliusItalicusaredescribed(III:7),buthereceivesnoletter.Statiusisnevermentioned,thoughheandPlinyhadatleastonemutualfriendinVibius Maximus to whom Statius dedicated the seventh poem in thefourth book of his Silvae. Juvenal does not appear at all, and the twomencannothavehadanythingincommonexcepttheiruncompromisinghatredofDomitian;butJuvenal’sSatire v recallsPliny’s two lettersonsnobberyandvulgarityatdinner-parties(II:6andIX:17)andtheendofSatirexdeplorestimewastedattheRacesasPlinydoesinanotherletter(IX: 6). Plinywas a patron ofMartial, andMartial knew Juvenalwell

enoughtoaddressaverse-lettertohimfromSpain(Martial,XII:18),butinRome the twopoetsmayhavemoved indifferent literary circles. Ithas even been suggested that in his choice of pseudonyms Juvenal

satirizes some of Pliny’s correspondents.1 At any rate it is hard toimagineJuvenalbeingpolitelyappreciativeatPliny’sliteraryparties.

Plinywasaconscientiousfriend,indefatigableinhiseffortstofurtherthecareersofthepeopleinwhomhewasinterested.Onemaytireoftheworthy youngmenwho feature in the letters of recommendation andwonderhowmanyofPliny’sswansprovedtobenomorethangeese,butthe Roman concept of friendship retained something of the relationsbetweenpatronandclient,andPliny’ssenseofdutytowardshisjuniorsis thecounterpartofhisgratitudetohiselderswhohadhelpedhimintheirturn.Hewasgenerousandwithoutulteriormotive.Severalhumblepeoplehadreasontobegratefultohim:hisoldnurseforasmall farm(VI:3);aschool-friendofComumforasubstantialsumtoraisehissocialstatus (I:19); a friend’s daughter for a dowry (VI: 32); and a valuedfreedman for holidays abroad in search of better health (V: 19). Tocriticize Pliny formentioning such gifts at all is tomisunderstand theRomanattitude to theseofficia andbeneficia; for services renderedandkindnessbestowed,thegiverhadeveryrighttoexpectinreturnsociety’s

approbation and a suitable gratitude in the recipient.2 He was also agenerouspublicbenefactor.Comumhadalibrarybuiltandendowed(I:8),one thirdofa resident teacher’s salarypaid (IV:13),andprovisionforchildreninneedfromarentchargeonPliny’sproperty(VII:18).Inall,ComumreceivedmorethantwomillionsestercesbyPliny’swillandnearlyasmuchinhislifetime.AtTifernumonTiberanewtemplewasbuilttohousePliny’scollectionofstatuesoftheEmperors(X:8)andthe

templeofCeresonhisownlandwasrestoredandenlargedfortheuseofthepublic(IX:39).

He could of course afford to be generous; his tastes were notextravagant and his capital was solidly invested in land. He mightcomplainaboutthehazardsofweatherandfailureofcrops,buthewasabletoreducehistenants’rentswhentimeswerebad(IX:37)andmakeconcessionstothecontractorswhostoodtolosewhenthegrapeharvestwasapoorone(VIII:2).Thoughofnecessityanabsenteelandlordforagreatdealof theyear,Pliny’spractical interest in farmmanagement isapparentinmanyoftheletters:asfaraspossibleheselectedtenantsandinspectedaccountspersonally,andonceseriouslyconsideredintroducingthe experiment of rent payment by share of produce (IX:37). This canstill be found as themezzadria system of Tuscany and north Italy. Hecertainlywasmuchmorethanthe ‘scholarturnedlandowner’atwhomhegivesagentlediginthepersonofSuetonius(I:24),althoughhecanlaughathimselfplayingthepartofproprietor‘butonlytotheextentofriding roundpart of the estate for exercise’ (IX: 15). In realityhewasverypractical,missingnoopportunityof seeing things forhimself andworking out his own building plans for his homes in Tifernum orComum(IX :7),or forCalpurniusFabatus’sproperty inCampania(VI:30).OnewingofthevillaatLaurentumnearOstiahedesignedhimself,and at Tifernum he could indulge ‘the love I have for all the places Ihave largely built myself or where I have perfected an earlier design’(V:6). The gardens there, where the formal terraces were planned incontrast with the landscape garden outside, were watered by acomplicated systemof pipes and fountains.Anything todowithwaterseems to fascinatePliny, andhisonly criticismofLaurentum is that it

hastodependonwellsforlackofrunningwater.IfweaddthescientificproblemoftheintermittentspringatComum(IV:30),thedescriptionoftheundergroundstreamsandfloatingislandsofLakeVadimon(VIII:20),and the account of the construction of the harbour at Centum Cellae(VI:31),aswellasallthelettersfromBithyniaondrains,aqueducts,andcanals,wecanseethatindifferentcircumstancesPlinymighthavebeenacivilengineer.Hecombinedafairshareofhisuncle’s tirelessenergywith a much more scientific approach to natural phenomena andantiquarian anecdote; for example, the ghost stories (VII :27) and thedolphin of Hippo (IX:33) are recounted respectively as a psychicproblemandaninstanceofanimalbehaviour.Healsohadanobservanteye and a retentive memory, and rightly remarked that we need nottravel to ‘Greece,Egypt,orAsiaoranyothercountrywhichadvertisesits wealth of marvels’ if we use our eyes and shake off the besettinghabit of postponing a visit at home to what we know can be seenwheneverwefeelinclined.

Agreatmanyofthelettersdealwithliterarytopics,advicetoyoungfriends,requestsforopinionsonPliny’sownwork,orhisviewsonstyleand choice of subject. Two at least (I:20 and IX:26) analyse theweaknessesofthepure‘Attic’schooloforatorywithitsrathernegativeideals of brevity and avoidance of faults. The language of all thesecriticallettersrecallsthatofQuintilianandshowshowtheemphasisonrhetoricandstylecoloursthewholesystemofRomaneducation.ButifPliny’spreferenceisforsomethinglessaridthanthepuristsallowed,heis none the less aware that speech which is ‘fluent, vigorous, andexpansive’ candegenerate into the rhetorical extravagances ofRegulusorthevolubilitywhichpoursout‘atorrentoflongmonotonousperiods

withouttakingbreath’(V:20).Whathevaluesmostisthesenseoffitnesscombinedwithversatilitywhichenablesanyonetomatchhisstylewiththe subject and the occasion; a gift which Pliny exhibits to amarkeddegreehimself.He iswidely read inGreekandRomanauthors andatfirst sight seemswholly typicalofhisgeneration,butacloser studyoftheauthorsheknowsandquotes revealshispersonal tastes.He isnotinterestedinphilosophyorpoliticaltheory;hereferstwicetoPlatoandnevermentionsAristotle.(Hixconnexionwiththetheoristsofthe‘Stoicopposition’waspurelypersonal.)HequotesEuripides twice,butneverSophoclesorAeschylus;andthereisnoreferencetoOvidandonlyonetoHoracewhoseverselettersonewouldexpecthimtoenjoy.Heshowsa knowledge of more than ten Greek and fifteen Roman authors, butapartfromhisdetailedstudyoftheAthenianorators(IX:26),mostofhisverbalquotationsarefromthe IliadandtheAeneid.Hisremarksonartarenomorethanconventional–realisminrepresentationishisideal–butthereallydisturbingthingisthepovertyofhisliteraryjudgement,inpoetry at least; he quotes four sets of verses, two by himself, one byMartial,andonebySentiusAugurinus,withapprobationfortheirpoeticmerit (VII :4 and 9, III :2i, and IV :27). These verses are soembarrassinglybanalthatitisimpossiblenottosuspectthequalitiesofunquotedworkswearecalledontoadmire.CalpurniusPiso’sLegendsoftheStarsand theplaysandpoetryofVergiliusRomanus (V:17andVI:21)may well have been nomore inspired than Statius’s Thebaid andSiliusItalicus’sPunicaaboutwhichPlinyhimselfhashisdoubts(III:7).It is remarkable that Pliny can recognize the weakness inherent in amajorityvote‘solongasmenhavethesamerighttojudge,butnotthesame ability to judgewisely’ (II:12)without seeing that the collective

criticismofthesortofdiscussion-groupassembledinletterVIII:21wasboundtostifleoriginality.Anindependentspirit likethatofTacitusorJuvenalcouldneverhavesubmitteditselftotheopinionoflessermen.

The letters are the best source of information we have about thesocialandpoliticalhistoryofRomeattheturnofthefirstcentury,whentheuneasyyearsofDomitianwerefollowedbywhatGibboncalled‘theperiod in the history of the world during which the condition of the

human race was most happy and prosperous’.1 It has often beenremarked that Pliny acts as a foil for his contemporaries; Juvenal’sremorseless castigation of the faults of society, Martial’s maliciousthrustsatindividualsandtheirvices,andTacitus’ssearchinganalysisofcorruptioninmoralsandpoliticsarecounteredbyapictureofthetimesdrawnby someonewho lives andworks in aworld’ far removed fromthatoftheidlerichandtheirresponsiblearistocrat.Thelettersarenotselected toproveapointor teacha lesson: to thatextent theevidencethey provide is disinterested. Pliny moves among active professionalmenwho take their responsibilities seriously;many of themowe theirposition in the Senate to theEmperor’s recognitionof theirmerit, andnonecanaffordtosquanderhiscapitalorneglecthisobligations.WhenPlinywrites sometimesofabuseofprivilege in theSenateor improperconduct in a court of justice, it is because he and his correspondentsreally care about things like right procedure, law and equity, andeffective administration. Through him we see both the day-to-dayroutine of the Chancery Court and something of the work going onbehindthescenes,andwelearnmuchabouttheactivitiesoftheSenateat this time: a Senate which may be very different from that of theRepublic, but as a deliberative assembly neither sycophantic nor

redundant.

But the letters are more than a source-book; they also paint thefullestself-portraitwhichhassurvivedofanyRoman,withthepossibleexceptionsofCiceroandHorace.IthasinfactbeensuggestedthatPlinysought‘toacquireliteraryfameinanoriginalfashion–nothistorybutautobiography,subtlyblendedwiththedepictureofcontemporarysocial

life’.1 Like Horace Walpole, Pliny is consciously and unconsciouslyrevealed inhis lettersuntilheemerges intheround.Hehashis faults.HeisnomoreabletocriticizehisownworkthanwasWordsworth,andhe can be priggish in the sameway. The caution and pedantry of thelawyeraresometimesevident,andsoisthecomplacencyofdiemiddle-aged;thoughhereheisnoworsethanCicerooranyotherRomaneagerto win recognition. It is useless to look to him for any outspokencriticismoftheconventionsofhisday:heacceptswithoutquestiontheemployment of slaves and gladiators, the deification on death of theEmperors,andthepoliticalnecessityofsuppressingafanaticalChristianminority. But his qualities are positive and often original. Hisprofessional honesty, industry and efficiency are beyond question, andheistotallyfreefromprofessionaljealousy.Hemayseemself-satisfied,butheisnotvain,andheiswellawarethathistalentsareofsecondarymeritandthatTacitusishissuperior(IX:14).Toleranceinallitsformshealwayspreachesandpractises (VIII :22),whetherhe isdefendingaspendthrift son or an erring servant, or writing with true imaginativeinsight into the feelings of a subject peoplewith a glorious past (VIII:24).Asceptichimself,heispatientwithSuetoniusandhisdreams,andthe simple piety of the votive inscriptions in the shrine of Clitumnuscallsforacommentwhichisamusedwithoutbeingunkind.Heisgladto

escape from the noise of the Saturnalia, andhappy to leavehis slavesand freedmen to enjoy their celebrationswithout the restriction of hispresence, and, though a temple is to him no more than a gallery fordisplaying works of art; when one on his property needs restoring hetakesdieopportunitytoprovideforthecomfortofworshippers.Heisakindandthoughtfulmaster,notonlytowardstheindividualmembersofhishousehold, inwhomhe feelsa special interest,but inhispolicyofallowingprivilegestohisslavesinthehomeandreadinesstograntthemfreedom(VIII:16).Heisalsoadevotedhusbandandaconsiderateson-in-law,anda loyal friendwhocanappreciate the idiosyncraciesofhiscompanions,whileremainingwhollygenuineandfreefromaffectations.Thisexplainswhyhistolerancegivesplacetocontemptinthecaseofhiscontemporary Regulus, who is everything which Pliny is not:unscrupulous,avaricious,vacillatingandsuperstitious,aswellascrudelyflamboyant.PlinydislikesthisexhibitionisminRegulusalmostasmuchas his dishonesty; he has sharp words too for the affectations of arhetorician (IV :II) and for people who court publicity by a show ofsuperiority (VI: 17), while snobbery in all its forms he detests (II:6).Neither has he any use for the childish passion of ‘adultmen’ for theRaces, because theyhaveno genuine interest in the horses’ speed andthedrivers’skill.

ButtocallPlinygenuineandunaffectedisnottosaythatheisnaive.Hecanlaughathimselfasanadvocatewhowelcomesanadjournment‘forIamneversowellpreparedasnottobegladofadelay’(v:9),orasapracticallandownerwhogathersinthegrape-harvest‘ifyoucancallit“gathering” to pick an occasional grape, look at the press, taste thefermenting wine in the vat, and pay a surprise visit to the servants I

broughtfromthecity-whoarenowstandingoverthepeasantsatworkand have abandoned me to my secretaries and readers’ (ix: 20); andwhiledeprecatingafriend’slavishhospitalityheadds,‘ImustownIwasshameless enough to accept everything.’ These are endearing toucheswhichbringhim to life: admirablehemaybe,buthe isnotdull. It isrefreshing,too,tofindinhimachampionoftherisinggeneration,whenitwasa convention to look to thepast for aGoldenAge.HerePliny’ssturdyrealismshowsitself:‘Itisnottruethattheworldistootiredandexhausted to produce anything worth praising’; nor is it true that thesimplevirtuesofaGoldenAgearefoundinthecountrylifeidealizedbythe poets (Pliny’s farmers are real peasants who grumble andmuddletheir affairs and are always a worry to landlords). Perhaps Plinyremembershowhecameinhisownyouthfromanorthernprovincetofindopportunitiesforacareerinthemetropolis;atanyrateheisalwaysgenerousinhelpingotherstodothesameanddelightedwhenhefindsindividuals less casual andmannerless than young people in themassinevitably appear to their elders. Some of his generalizations also gobeyondtheconventional.Amongsomanyaspirantstofame,ofwhomhewasone,itwasPlinywhowrotethat‘Iamalsowellawarethatanoblerspirit will seek the reward of virtue in the consciousness of it, ratherthan in popular opinion’ (I:8); it was Pliny too who saw that theproverbial ‘reflection leads to hesitation’ is true in the sense that‘diffidenceistheweaknessofright-thinkingminds’(IV:7).

TherehasbeennoseriousattemptatatranslationofPliny’slettersasawholesincetheonepublishedbyWilliamMelmothin1746.ThiswasreprintedintheLoebseries in1915,afterrevisionandcompressionbyW.M.L.Hutchinsonbecause‘judgedevenbytheeasycanonsofhistime

in regard to translation, his [Melmoth’s] work is extraordinarily looseand inaccurate; a good deal of it is simply paraphrase and in manyplacesthesenseisflagrantlywrong’.ButenoughofMelmothwaslefttopresentPlinythroughacloudofverbiagewhichwasneverhis,sothatthe misty figure which emerged was more like an eighteenth-centurydilettantethantherealman,andthesubtlevarietyofstyletomatchthemoodofeach letterwas lost inthepolishedphrasesofMelmoth’sday.Of course, the personal letters are literary in the sense that they arewrittenwith care on selected subjects, and are quite different in styleand content from the remarkable series preserved inBook x. They aremore to be compared with Horace’s Epistles or Walpole’s letters thanwiththeintenselypersonallettersofCiceroorofKeats.Plinydrawsthecontrast himself: ‘You want me to follow Cicero’s example, but mypositionisverydifferentfromhis.Hewasnotonlyrichlygiftedbutwassupplied with a wealth of varied and important topics to suit hisabilities, but you know without my telling you the narrow limitsconfiningme.’(IX:2).TherewasnothinginPliny’slifetomatchCicero’sexperienceofrevolutionandcivilwar.If,ashetellsus,Plinypublishedthis revised selection from a larger number of letters, it is not alwayseasy to seewhy someof themore trivialnoteswere chosen; topleasethe recipient, perhaps, to lower the tone between twomore importantletters, or possibly to give the reader the pleasure of seeing how thevirtuosity of the stylist can find expression in a couple of sentences.These brief notes with their puns and allusions recall the conceits ofCatullus and Martial as well as the characteristic Roman delight inepigram. Pliny can be elegantly formal, colloquial and conversational,analyticallycriticalorterselydescriptive.Hedrawsonlegallanguagefor

hisjokeswithprofessionalfriends,quotesthepoetsinGreekaswellasinLatin,andsetshimself todescribeasceneorascientificprobleminprecise terms. No translation can hope to convey such versatilitysuccessfully, but a fresh approach may perhaps give a better idea ofPliny’sgiftsofaccurateobservationandcleardescriptionwhichputhimhighamongtheprosewritersofanyperiod.

His detached eye-witness account of the eruption of Vesuvius,recordedlongaftertheeventbutwithnotraceoffalsesentimenttoblurthose terrifying sober facts, is a masterpiece of writing; scarcely lessremarkableare thedescriptionsofnatural sceneryat the sourceof theClitumnus and Lake Vadimon, or his loving account of his countryhomesatLaurentumandTifernum.Hecanbringananimatedscenetolife,whensenatorsrevealtheirnervoustensionafterDomitian’sdeathorcrowdspackthecourttohearacausecélèbre;thehiredclaqueswatchfortheir cue to applaud a speaker; a brutal master’s slaves conspire tomurder him in his bath. Personalities can also stand out clearly – theravageddignityofJuliusBassusfacingtrialoraVestalVirginacceptingaterribledeathwithcomposure,asoldierwitharamblingstoryofhisadventures as a prisoner ofwar and a fathermourning the death of athirteen-year-olddaughter.Reguluscringesorblustershiswaythroughthe courts, the elder Pliny lights his lamp to work in the long hoursbeforedawn,Spurinnaplaysballtokeephimselffit,andanoldladyofseventy-nine tries to keep boredom at bay by playing draughts andmaintainingaprivateballetcompany.MeanwhilePlinyfinisheshisday’sworkbeforedrivingouttoLaurentumalongtheOstiaroadandthentheside-roadwhich is ‘sandyforsomedistanceandratherheavyandslowgoingifyoudrive,butsoftandeasilycoveredonhorseback’.

Therearestillsandyside-roadsinItaly,andsomeoftheunchangingfeaturesofthecountrybearwitnesstoPliny’spleasureinthemandhisgift forexpressing it.The foothillsof theApenninesbehindhisTuscanhome are still much as he saw them, where ‘the vineyards spreadingdownevery slopeweave theiruniformpattern’ as far as the cornfields‘wherethelandcanbebrokenuponlybyheavyoxenandthestrongestploughs’,andthewatermeadows,brightwithflowers.Northandsouthof Rome stretches the sandy, harbourless coast, and along it are theumbrella-pineswhichgavehimanunforgettablesimilefortheominouscloud rising fromVesuvius.Plinycanbridge thegulfbetween thepastandpresent;someoftheexcavatedhousesatPompeii,anestateliketheoneuncoveredatBoscoreale,orthefrescoesdepictingmagnificentvillas

tobeseenintheNaplesmuseum1maybringusnearesttohisworld,forherewecanactuallyseeacourtyardwherefountainsplayandadining-roomwith‘afrescoofbirdsperchedonthebranchesoftrees’,andcanpicture the life of cultivated leisurewhere friendsmeet to discuss thedetails of a new poem or the fine points of a Corinthian bronze. Thegreat Italian palazzi still have the gardens he would recognize – thecolonnadesand terraces,marble seatsand fountains, thecypressesandvine pergolas, and the beds of acanthus, and. ‘the box shrubs clippedinto innumerable shapes’. The shores of thenorthern lakes are fringedtodaywithvillassituatedlikePliny’s,eitherhighupwithwideviewsor‘ontheveryedgeofthewater’wherethewavesbreakandyoucanfish,’castingyourlinefromyourbedroomwindowandpracticallyfromyourbed,asifyouwereinaboat’.Floodedriversafterheavyrain,thedried-up beds of streams in summer, and the hot, dusty roads, the stormywindsofthewestcoast,andthewinterfrostsandsummerbreezesofthe

Apennines, where the view from a hill-top is like ‘a painted scene ofunusualbeautyratherthanareallandscape’:theseareallinthelettersandfamiliarinItalytoday.

SomesitesarecloselyassociatedwithPliny.TheintermittentspringatComum,whichfascinatedhimasascientificproblem,istobeseeninthe grounds of the sixteenth-century Villa Pliniana; Leonardo da VincirecordeditinhisNotebooksandStendhalhasleftanaccountofhisvisitin1816.LakeVadimon, round ‘likeawheel lyingon its side’,with itsfloatingislandsandsulphurouswaterwhichwas‘palebluewithatingeofgreen’interestedhimforthoseveryfeatures,andnotbecauseithadbeenthesceneoftwoearlyRomanvictoriesovertheEtruscans;itissadthatthetextiscorruptattheverypointwherePlinyattemptsaprecisedescriptionof colour, so rare in a classicalwriter.AtLagodiBassano,nearOrte,thesmalllakehasshrunktoamarshypoolwithreedsinsteadof islands,but it stillhas itsoutletwhichdisappearsunderground,andthemodemGuida d’Italia describes its waters as ‘biancastre e sulfuree’.

The source of the Clitumnus, known to Virgil and Propertius,1 is thesubjectofoneofPliny’sbestletters.Thelittletempleisinruins,butthewater continues to rise miraculously from level ground very much as

Plinysawit;Corotwastopaintit,andByrontopayhistribute,2anditinspired Carducci’s patriotic odeAlle fonti del Clitunno, where the line‘Ridesepoltaall’imounaforesta’isanechoofPliny’swords:“Thebanksare clothedwithash treesandpoplars,whosegreen reflections canbecountedintheclearstreamasiftheywereplantedthere.’Itisdescribed

and illustrated in a recent study of the Latin poets,3 and more thananything,perhaps,itbringsPlinynearus.Thegiftoffeelingvisualandimmediatedelightinanaturalsceneforitsownsakeissomethingwhich

is outside time and place, but tends to be taken for granted since theRomanticandImpressionistmovements.Yet it issorare in theancientworld,whereeverythingseenwasboundupwithreligious,mythologicaland historical associations, that Pliny’s unconscious possession of it isone of the strongest reasonswhy he should be remembered. ‘Whetherposteritywill give us a thought I don’t know,’wrote Pliny to Tacitus,‘but surelywedeserveone….’Theverseshewroteareprobablybetterforgotten and only one of themuch-revised speeches survives: but thelettersaretheretobereadandjustifyhisclaim.

*

This translation was originally made from the 1958 edition ofSchuster’s text in the Teubner series, but has been revised as far aspossible to follow the newOxford Classical Text of Professor R. A. B.Mynors.MostalterationshavebeenmadeinBookxwherethereisveryfragmentaryMS.authority.ProfessorMynorshasgivenmegeneroushelpin advance of publication of his text, for which I ammost grateful. Imust also thank Mr A. N. Sherwin-White for his help in interpretingPliny and for givingme access to his Commentary before publication,my husband for constructive criticism, and many friends for theirinterest; notably Miss Marion Pick and Mr T. L. Zinn for advice onspecial points, and not least Dr E. V. Rieu for his help andencouragement. The members of my family have lived perforce withPlinyintheirmidstforlongerthantheymayhavebargainedfor,andIamgratefulfortheirsupportandforbearance.

In translating the personal letters I have consistently omitted the

formalbeginningandending,toavoidrepetitionandartificiality.Ihavetranslated geographical features (names of rivers and mountains) intoEnglish,butleftmosttownsintheLatinformwiththemodernnameinfootnote. Official terms have been left in Latin or given an acceptedEnglishform,whicheverseemedmorenatural,andaKeyinanAppendixexplains the less familiarof these.After long consideration, Ihave leftsums of money in sesterces, but have included a note on purchasingpower. Pliny’s many Greek quotations appear in English, but allquotationshaveafootnotegivingthesourcewherethisisknown.Pliny’sestatenearTifernum, towhichhegenerally refers asmeiTusci, I havespokenofasifitwasinTuscany;infactitisjustovertheboundaryinUmbria. The ruins of a large villa have been discovered a few milesnorth of the town (Città di Castello), and tiles stamped with Pliny’sinitials.Fivebooksofthelettershavemanuscriptauthorityforasinglename only for each recipient; where-ever possible I have supplied asecondname from informationgivenbyMr Sherwin-White, butwherethesubjectistoocomplex(thereareseveralindividualsaddressedonlyas Maximus) I have left a single name and must refer readers to hisresearches.

Highgate, 1962B.R.

BOOKONE

1.ToSepticiusClarus

You have often urged me to collect and publish any letters of minewhichwerecomposedwithsomecare.Ihavenowmadeacollection,notkeeping to the original order as I was not writing history, but takingthemastheycametomyhand.Itremainsforyounottoregrethavingmadediesuggestionandformenottoregretfollowingit;forthenIshallsetaboutrecoveringanyletterswhichhavehithertobeenputawayandforgotten,andIshallnotsuppressanywhichImaywriteinfuture.

2.ToMaturusArrianus

I see that your arrival is going to be later than I expected, so I amsendingyou the speechwhich I promisedyou inmy last letter.Pleasereadandcorrect it asyoualwaysdo, and themore sobecause Idon’tthink I have written before with quite somuch spirit. I have tried tomodel myself on Demosthenes, as you always do, and this time on

Calvus1 too, thoughonly in figuresofspeech; for thefireofgreatmen

likethesecanonlybecaughtby‘thefavouredfew’.2IfImayventuretosayso,thesubject-matteractuallyencouragedmyambitiouseffort;forIhadtofightmywaymostofthetime,andthisshookmeoutofmyusual

lazyhabits,asfarasanythingcanshakeupamanlikeme.However,I

didn’t altogether abandon die ‘lavish colouring’3 of our master CicerowheneverIfeltlikemakingapleasantdeviationfrommymainpath,forIdidn’twanttheforceofmyargumenttolackalllightrelief.

You must not think that I am asking you to be indulgent to myexperiment. To sharpen your critical powers I must confess that myfriendsandIarethinkingofpublishingit,ifonlyyoucastyourvotefortheproposal,mistakenthoughitmaybe.Imustpublishsomething,andIonlyhopeandpraythatthemostsuitablethingiswhatisreadynow-there’s laziness for you!But Iwant topublish for several reasons, andaboveallbecausethebookswhichIhavealreadysentoutintotheworldare still said to find readers although they have lost the charm ofnovelty.Ofcourse,thebooksellersmaybeflatteringme;well,letthem,aslongastheirdeceptionmakesmethinkwellofmyownwork.

3.ToCaniniusRufus

I wonder how our darling Comum is looking, and your lovely houseoutsidethetown,withitscolonnadewhereitisalwaysspringtime,andthe shady plane trees, the stream with its sparkling greenish waterflowing into the lake below, and the drive over the smooth firm turf.Yourbathswhicharefullofsunshineallday,thedining-roomslargeandsmall, the bedrooms for night or the day’s siesta – are you there andenjoyingthemallinturn,orareyouasusualforeverbeingcalledawaytolookafteryouraffairs?Ifyouarethere,youarealuckymantobesohappy;ifnot,youdonobetterthantherestofus.

Butisn’titreallytimeyouhandedoverthosetiresomepettydutiesto

someone else and shut yourself up with your books in the peace andcomfort of your retreat? This is what should be both business andpleasure,workandrecreation,andshouldoccupyyourthoughtsawakeand asleep! Create something, perfect it to be yours for all time; foreverythingelseyoupossesswillfalltooneoranothermasterafteryouare dead, but this will never cease to be yours once it has come intobeing. I know the spirit and ability I amaddressing, but youmust trynowtohavethehighopinionofyourselfwhichtheworldwillcometoshareifyoudo.

4.ToPompeiaCelerina,hismother-in-law

WhatluxuriesyouhaveinyourhousesatOcriculum,Narnia,Carsulae,1

andPerusia2–evenbathsatNarnia!Ineedonlysendaletter,andthereisnoneedforyoutowriteaftertheshortnoteyousenttheresometimeago.Infactyourpropertyseemsmoreminethanmyown,butwiththisdifference:IhavebetterserviceandattentionfromyourservantsthanIdo frommine. Perhaps youwill have the same experience if you everstaywith us, as I hope youwill for two reasons; you could enjoy ourpossessions as if they were yours, and my household would have tobestiritselfatlonglast–itisunconcernedtothepointofindifferenceintheway it treatsme. Slaves lose all fear of a consideratemaster oncetheyareusedtohim,buttheywakeupatthesightofnewfacesandtrytowinhisfavourbygivinghisgueststheserviceduetohim.

5.ToVoconiusRomanus1

Have you seen anyone so abject and nervous as Regulus2 sinceDomitian’sdeath?Ithasputanendtohismisdeeds(whichwereasbadasinNero’sday,thoughlatterlybetterconcealed),andmadehimafraidIwasannoyedwithhim,andrightlyso;Iwasannoyed.Hehadhelped

withtheprosecutionofArulenusRusticus3andproclaimedhisdelightinRusticus’s death by giving a public reading of his speech against him(which he afterwards published)where he used thewords ‘ Stoic ape’‘brandedwithVitellius’smark’.(Youwillrecognizehisstyleofrhetoric.)Then he took to abusing Herennius Senecio with such violence thatMettiusCarussaidtohim,“Whataremydeadmentoyou?HaveIeverattacked Crassus or Camerinus?’ (two of Regulus’s victims in Nero’stime).GuessinghowstronglyIfeltaboutallthis,Regulusdidnotinvitemetohisreading.HemusthaverememberedtoothedeadlytraphelaidformeintheCentumviralCourt,whenArulenusRusticushadaskedmetosupportArrionilla,Timon’swife,withRegulusagainstme.PartofourcasedependedontheopinionofMettiusModestus,theeminentsenatorwho had been banished by Domitian and was still in exile. Up getsRegulus: ‘Tellme, Pliny,what is your opinion ofModestus?’NowyoucanseethedangerifIgaveagoodone,andthedisgraceifIdidnot.Icanonlysaythegodsmusthaveputwordsintomymouth. ‘Iwillgivemyopinion,’ said I, ‘if thecourt is topass judgementon thisman.’Hethen repeatedhis request formyopinion. “Witnessesused tobe cross-examined about persons on trial,’ I replied, ‘not on those alreadyconvicted.’ ‘Nevermind then,what you think ofModestus,’ he said:’ Iwantyouropinionofhisloyalty.’‘Iknowyoudo,’saidI,‘butIthinkitisquite improper even to put questions about aman onwhom sentencehas been passed.’ That silenced him. Afterwards I received praise and

congratulations fornotdamagingmy reputationby savingmyselfwith

anexpedientbutdishonourablereply,andfornotfallingintothetrapofsuchatreacherousquestion.

So then he was terrified by the realization of what he had done,seized Caecilius Celer and Fabius Justus, and begged them to bringaboutareconciliation.Notcontentwiththis,hecalledonSpurinnaandimploredhishelp–hecanbeveryhumblewhenheisafraid.‘PleaseseePlinyathishomeinthemorning–earlyinthemorning,please,Ican’tbearthesuspenseanylonger–andsomehowstophimbeingangrywithme.’IwasawakewhenthemessagecamefromSpurinnathathewasontheway, and sent back to say Iwould call on him; sowemet in thecolonnade of Livia, each making for the other. Spurinna repeatedRegulus’srequestandputinapleaofhisown,butbeinganhonestmanacting on behalf of a dishonest, said little. ‘You must decide yourselfwhatanswertotakebacktoRegulus,’Isaid.‘Icanonlytellyoufrankly

that Iamwaiting forMauricus1 to return fromexile,andsocan’tgiveyouananswereitherway,sinceImustdowhathedecides.Thedecisionmustbehis,andIshallabidebyit.’

A few days after this Regulus and Imet on an official visit to thepraetor;hecameup tomeandasked toseemealone.HesaidhewasafraidthatsomethinghehadoncesaidincourtinreplytoSatriusRufusandmyselfwasstillranklinginmymind:’SatriusRufus,whomakesnoattempt to copy Cicero, and is satisfied with the standard of oratorytoday.’Irepliedthatnowthatheadmittedit,Irealizedthattheremarkwas offensive, but that it could have been taken as a compliment.‘Personally I do try to copy Cicero,’ I said, ‘and am not satisfiedwith

today’sstandards.Itseemstomefoolishnottoaimatthehighest.Butifyou remember this case, why have you forgotten the one where youasked me for my opinion of Mettius Modestus’s loyalty?’ He grewnoticeablyevenpalerthanusual,andthenstammeredout,‘Thequestionwasmeant todamageModestus, not you.’ (See the cruellyof themanwhoadmitsheintendedtodamagesomeoneinexile.)Thenheproffereda fine reason: ‘He said ina letterwhichwas readoutbeforeDomitianthatReguluswas “the vilest of two-legged creatures”.’Modestus neverwroteatruerword!

Thispracticallyendedourconversation,forIdidnotwishtoprolongitandhavetocommitmyselfbeforeMauricusarrived.IamwellawarethatRegulusishardtocometogripswith;heisrich,influential,backedby many people and feared by more, and fear usually brings moresupport than popularity.However, it is quite possible that these propsmaycollapseandlethimdown,forabadman’spopularityisasfickleashimself. But, as I said, I amwaiting for Mauricus. His opinions carryweightandhiswisdomisgainedfromexperience,sothathecanjudgethe future by the past. My own plans for attack or withdrawal willdepend on his decision, but I amwriting all this to you because, as agoodfriend,yououghttohearaboutmyintentionsaswellasanythingIhavesaidanddone.

6.ToCorneliusTacitus

Iknowyouwillthinkitagoodjoke,asindeeditis,whenItellyouthatyouroldfriendhascaughtthreeboars,veryfineonestoo.Yes,Ireallydid, andwithout even changing any ofmy lazy holiday habits. I was

sittingbythehuntingnetswithwritingmaterialsbymysideinsteadofhuntingspears,thinkingsomethingoutandmakingnotes,sothatevenifI camehomeemptyhanded I shouldat leasthavemynotebooks filled.Don’tlookdownonmentalactivityofthiskind,foritisremarkablehowone’s wits are sharpened by physical exercise; the mere fact of beingaloneinthedepthsofthewoodsinthesilencenecessaryforhuntingisapositivestimulustothought.Sonexttimeyouhuntyourself,followmyexample and take your notebooks along with your lunch-basket andflask;youwillfindthatMinervawalksthehillsnolessthanDiana.

7.ToOctaviusRufus

Seewhatapinnacleyouhavesetmeon,givingmethesamepowerandmajestyasHomergivestoJupiterHighestandBest:‘AndparttheFather

grantedhim,butpartdenied.’1You see I canuse the samemixtureofassentanddenial inanswer toyourplea. Icanveryproperlyagree,asyouaskme,nottoactfortheBaeticiagainstasingleindividual;butitwouldhardlybeconsistentwiththeunfailingsenseofdutyyouadmireinme toactagainst them,when Ihave formedacloseconnexionwiththeir province through somanydifferent services renderedandall therisksIhaverunontheirbehalfatvarioustimes.Ishallthereforehavetosteer a middle course, and choose from the alternatives you offersomething which will satisfy your good judgement as well as yourinclinations. It is not your presentwisheswhich I have to consider somuch as your high standards for what will have your permanentapproval.

IhopetobeinRomeroundthemiddleofOctoberwhenIcanexplain

mypositiontoGallusinperson,withyoutosupportme;butmeanwhile

youmayassurehimofmyintentions,‘andhebowedhisdarkbrows’.1Ifeel like addressing you inHomeric verseswhenever I can, as long asyouwillnotletmequoteyourown–aprivilegeIcovetsomuchthatIbelieveitwouldbetheonlybribewhichwouldinducemetoactagainsttheBaetici.

Ihavenearly leftout themost important thing: thankyou foryourexcellentdates,whicharenowhavingtocompetewithmyownfigsandmushrooms.

8.ToPompeiusSaturninus

Your letter asking me to send you one of my recent compositionsreachedmeatagoodmoment,whenIhadjustdecidedtodothatverything.Soyouhavespurredonawillinghorseandremovedanyexcuseyou had for refusing the trouble of reading my work as well as myscruplesaboutaskingyoutodoso;Icanhardlybeexpectedtohesitateaboutavailingmyselfofyouroffer,norcanyou feel itaburdenwhenyoumade ityourself.All the same,youmustnotexpectanythingnewfromalazymanlikeme.Iintendtoaskyoutotakeanotherlookatthespeech I delivered to my fellow-citizens at the official opening of thelibraryatComum.Ihavenotforgottenthatyouhavealreadymadesomegeneral comments on it, so this timewill you please apply your usualcriticaleyetothedetailsaswellastotheworkasawhole. Icanthenreviseitbeforecommittingmyselfwhethertopublishorsuppressit,andpossiblytheveryprocessofrevisionwillforcemetomakeupmymindat last, and either show the speech is not yet fit for publication or

actuallymakeitso.

And yet it is the actual subject-matter rather thanmy treatment of itwhichisholdingmebackinthisway.Itmakesmeseemrathercarriedawaybymyownpraises,andthisincreasesmydiffidenceevenifIlimitmyselftoafewsimplewords,especiallyasIamobligedtodwellonmyowngenerosityaswell as thatofmy relatives.Thisputsme inaverydifficult and delicate position, though somewhat justified by beinginevitable.Evendisinterestedpraiseisveryrarelywellreceived,anditisallthehardertoavoidabadreceptionwhenaspeakerreferstohimselfand his family.We feel resentment againstmerit unadorned, and stillmorewhenpridepublishesitabroad;infactitisonlywhengooddeedsare consigned to obscurity and silence that they escape criticism andmisconstruction. For this reason I have often asked myself whether Ioughttohavewrittenthisspeech,suchasitis,foranaudienceoronlyfor my own benefit, seeing that there are many features which areessential when a matter is still in the process of preparation but losetheirvalueandpowertopleaseonceitiscompleted.Totakethepresentcaseasanexampleofthis:nothingcouldhavebeenmorevaluabletomethantosetoutthereasonsformygenerosity.Iwastherebyenabledfirsttodwellonnoblesentiments,thentodiscerntheirvirtuebyprolongedreflection, and so finally to avoid the reaction which follows on animpulsivehanding-outofgifts.ThustooItrainedmyselftosomeextentto think lessofmyriches, for thoughweall seemtobebornslaves tomoney-saving,myloveof liberalgiving, longanddeeplyreasoned,hasfreedmefromthesebesettingbondsofavarice,andmygenerosityseemslikelytowinmorepraisebecauseIwasledtoitfromprincipleandnotoutofmereimpulse.

IhadalsotoconsiderthefactthatIwasnotpayingforpublicgamesorashowofgladiatorsbutmakinganannualcontributiontowardsthemaintenanceoffree-bornchildren.Pleasuresfortheearandeyeneednorecommendation(infacttheyarebetterrestrainedthanencouragedinapublic speech) but carefully chosen and persuasive words as well asmaterialrewardsareneededtoprevailonanyonetosubmitwillinglytothetediumandhardworkinvolvedinbringingupchildren.Doctorsusepersuasion to recommend a dietwhichwill bring their patients betterhealththoughtheymayfinditdull;stillmoremustanyoneactinginthepublic interest find attractive phrases to introduce a beneficial servicewhich is not immediately popular. My own special difficulty was tomakethechildlessappreciatethebenefitsgainedbyparents,sothatthemajority would be willing to wait and prove worthy of the privilegesgranted to a few. At the time, I was considering the general interestrather than my own self-glorification when I wished the purpose andeffectofmybenefactiontobeknown,butmypresentideaofpublishingthe speech may perhaps make me seem to be furthering my ownreputation instead of benefiting others. I am also well aware that anobler spirit will seek the reward of virtue in the consciousness of it,rather than in popular opinion. Fame should be the result, not thepurposeofourconduct,andifforsomereasonitfailstofollow,thereisno less merit in cases where it was deserved. But, when peopleaccompanytheirgenerousdeedswithwords,theyarethoughtnottobeproudofhavingperformedthembuttobeperformingtheminordertohave something to be proud of. Sowhatwouldwin a glowing tributefromanindependentopinionsoonlosesitifaccompaniedbyself-praise,forwhenmenfindanactionunassailabletheywillcriticizethedoerfor

his pride in it; hence either your conduct is blamed for anything in itwhichisbestpassedoverinsilence,oryoucanbeblamedjustasmuchyourselffornotkeepingsilentaboutyourmerits.

Ihavebesidesmyindividualdifficulties.Thiswasdeliverednotasapublic speech in the open, but before the town council in their senatehouse, so that I am afraid that it is hardly consistent at this point tocourt bypublication thepopular favour and applausewhich I avoidedwhen I was speaking. I put the doors and walls of the senate housebetweenmyselfandthepopulacewhomIwastryingtobenefit,soasnottoappeartocourttheirfavour;butnowIfeelthatIamgoingoutofmywaytodisplaymypowersandthuswinoverthosewhosesoleconcernwithmybenefactionrestsintheexampleitsets.

Thesethenaremyreasonsforhesitatinginthisway;butIknowIcanalwaysdependonyourgoodadviceandshouldliketotakeitnow.

9.ToMiniciusFundanus

Itisextraordinaryhow,ifonetakesasingledayspentinRome,onecangiveamoreorlessaccurateaccountofit,butscarcelyanyaccountatallofseveraldaysputtogether.Ifyouaskanyonewhathedidthatday,theanswer would be: ‘I was present at a coming-of-age ceremony, abetrothal, or a wedding. I was called on towitness awill, to supportsomeoneincourtortoactasassessor.’Allthisseemsimportantontheactual day, but quite pointless if you consider that youhave done thesamesortofthingeveryday,andstillmorepointlessifyouthinkaboutitwhenyouareoutoftown.Itisthenthatyourealizehowmanydaysyouhavewastedintrivialities.

Ialwaysrealize thiswhenIamatLaurentum,1 readingandwritingandfindingtimetotaketheexercisewhichkeepsmymindfitforwork.There is nothing there for me to say or hear said which I wouldafterwardsregret,noonedisturbsmewithmaliciousgossip,andIhavenoonetoblame–butmyself–whenwritingdoesn’tcomeeasily.Hopesand fears do notworryme, andmy time is notwasted in idle talk; Isharemy thoughtswith no one butmy books. It is a good life and agenuine one, a seclusion which is happy and honourable, morerewarding than any ‘business’ can be. The sea and shore are trulymyprivate Helicon, an endless source of inspiration. You should take thefirstopportunityyourself to leave thedin, the futilebustleanduselessoccupationsofthecityanddevoteyourselftoliteratureortoleisure.ForitwaswiseaswellaswittyofourfriendAtiliustosaythatitisbettertohavenoworktodothantoworkatnothing.

10.ToAttiusClemens

IfRomehas evergivenahome to the liberal arts, theycanbe said toflourishtheretoday;fromamongstthemanydistinguishedpersonswhoare proof of this I need only name the philosopher Euphrates.When IwasayoungmandoingmymilitaryserviceinSyriaIcametoknowhimwell;Ivisitedhishomeandtookpainstowinhisaffection,thoughthatwas hardly necessary as he has always been accessible and ready tomakeovertures,andisfullofthecourteoussympathyheteaches.IonlywishIcouldhavefulfilledthehopesheformedofmeatthattimeinthesameway that I feel he has increased his virtues: or perhaps it ismyadmiration which has increased now that I appreciate them better. I

cannotclaimtoappreciatethemfullyevennow,forifittakesanartistto judge painting, sculpture and modelling, only one philosopher canreallyunderstandanother.But it isplaintomylimited judgementthatEuphrateshasmanyremarkablegiftswhichmaketheirappealfeltevenbypeopleofnomorethanaverageeducation.Hisargumentsaresubtle,his reasoning profound, and his words wellchosen, so that he oftenseemstohavesomethingofthesublimityandrichnessofPlato.Hetalksreadilyonmanysubjectswithaspecialcharmwhichcancaptivateandso convince the most reluctant listener. He is moreover tall anddistinguishedtolookat,withlonghairandaflowingwhitebeard,andthoughthesemaysoundlikenaturaladvantagesofnorealimportance,theyhelp tomakehimwidely respected.Hisdress isalwaysneat,andhis serious manner makes no show of austerity, so that your firstreactiononmeetinghimwouldbeadmirationratherthanrepulsion.Heleadsawhollyblamelesslifewhileremainingentirelyhuman;heattacksvices, not individuals, and aims at reforming wrongdoers instead ofpunishing them. You would follow his teaching with rapt attention,eagerforhimtocontinuelongafteryouareconvinced.

He has moreover three children, two of them sons whom he hasbrought up with the greatest care; and his father-in-law, PompeiusJulianus,whohashadacareerofgreatdistinctionasaleadingcitizenofhis province, has nothing more to his credit than the fact that fromamongst many excellent offers he chose a son-in-law who wasoutstandingratherforhislearningthanforanyofficialposition.

Idon’tknowwhyIsaysomuchaboutamanwhosecompanyIamnever free to enjoy, unless it is to chafe the more against my loss of

freedom.Mytime is takenupwithofficialduties,1 importantbutnonethe less tiresome. I siton thebench, signpetitions,makeupaccounts,andwrite innumerable–butunliterary– letters.“WheneverIhavethechanceIcomplainaboutthesedutiestoEuphrates,whoconsolesmebysayingthatanyonewhoholdspublicoffice,presidesattrialsandpassesjudgement, expounds and administers justice, and thereby puts intopracticewhatthephilosopheronlyteaches,hasapartinthephilosophiclife and indeed the noblest part of all. But of one thing he can neverconvinceme–thatallthisisbetterthanspendingwholedayslisteningtohisteachingandlearningfromhim.

All themore then do I urge you to let him take you in hand andpolishyouupnexttimeyouareintown;youdohavetimeforthis,andthe prospect should speed up your coming. For unlikemany people, Idon’tgrudgeotherstheadvantageswhichIcannothavemyself:onthecontrary,I feelarealsenseofpleasureif Iseemyfriendsenjoyingtheplentywhichisdeniedtome.

11.ToFabiusJustus

Ihavenotheardfromyouforalongtime,andyoucan’tsayyouhavenothingtowriteaboutbecauseyoucanatleastwritethat–orelsethephraseoureldersused to starta letterwith: ‘Ifyouarewell,well andgood;Iamwell.’Thatwilldoforme–itisallthatmatters.Don’tthinkIamjoking;Imeanit.Letmeknowhowyouare;ifIdon’tknowIcan’thelpworrying.

12.ToCalestriusTiro

I have lost a very great man, if ‘loss’ is the right word for such abereavement.CorelliusRufushasdied,anddiedbyhisownwish,whichmakesmeevensadder;fordeathismosttragicwhenitisnotduetofateornaturalcauses.Whenweseemendieofdisease,atleastwecanfindconsolationintheknowledgethatitisinevitable,but,whentheirendisself-sought, our grief is inconsolable because we feel that their livescouldhavebeenlong.Corellius,itistrue,wasledtomakehisdecisionbythesupremacyofreason,whichtakestheplaceofinevitabilityforthephilosophers;buthehadmanyreasonsforliving,agoodconscienceandreputation, andwide influence, besides awife and sisters living and adaughterandgrandchild:and,aswellassomanycloserelatives,hehadmanytruefriends.Buthesufferedsolongfromsuchapainfulafflictionthat his reasons for dying outweighed everything that life could givehim.

Attheageofthirty-two,Ihaveheardhimsay,hedevelopedtroubleinthefeet,justashisfatherhaddone;forlikeothercharacteristics,mostdiseases are hereditary. As long as hewas young and active he couldkeep it under control by temperate living and strict continence, andlatterlywhen he grewworsewith advancing age, he bore up throughsheer strength of mind, even when cruelly tortured by unbelievableagony;forthediseasewasnownolongerconfinedtohisfeetasbefore,butwasspreadingthroughallhislimbs.IwenttoseehiminDomitian’stimeashelayillinhishouseoutsideRome.Hisservantslefttheroom,astheyalwaysdidwhenoneofhismoreintimatefriendscamein,andevenhiswifewentout,thoughshewaswellabletokeepanysecret.Helooked all round the room before speaking, and then: ‘Why do yousuppose Iendurepain like this so long?’hesaid. ‘So that Icanoutlive

thatrobberifonlybyasingleday.’Hadhisbodybeenequaltohisspirithewouldhavemadesurethathehadhisdesire.

However,thegodsheardhisprayer;andknowingitwasgrantedherelaxed and felt free to die. He broke off all his links with life, nowunabletoholdhim,forhisdiseasehadprogressedalthoughhetriedtocheckitbyhisstrictregimen;and,asitgrewsteadilyworse,hemadeuphis mind to escape. Two days passed, then three, then four, but herefusedallfood.Hiswife,Hispulla,sentourfriendGaiusGeminiustomewiththesadnewsthatCorelliuswasdeterminedtodie,andnothingsheorherdaughtercouldsaywoulddissuadehim;Iwastheonlypersonleftwhomightbeabletorecallhimtolife.Ihurriedtohim,andwasnearlythere when Julius Atticus brought me another message from Hispullathat even I could do nothing now as he had becomemore and morefixed in his resolve. Indeed,when the doctor offeredhim foodhe hadonlysaid’Ihavemadeupmymind’;andthesewordsbringhometomehowmuchIadmiredhimandhowIshallmisshimnow.IkeepthinkingthatIhavelostagreatfriendandagreatman.Iknowhehadlivedtothe end of his sixty-seventh year, a good age even for a really soundconstitution: Iknowthatheescapedfromperpetual illness: Iknowtoothat he left a family to outlive him, and his country (which was stilldearertohim)inaprosperousstate:andyetImournhisdeathasifhewere a young man in full health. I mourn, too, on my own account,though you may think this a sign of weakness, for I have lost theguardianandmentorwhowatchedovermylife.Inshort,asIsaidtomyfriendCalvisius inmy firstoutburstofgrief, Iamafraid I shallbe lesscarefulhowIlivenow.

Sendmesomewordsofcomfort,butdonotsaythathewasanoldman and ill; I know this.What I need is something new and effectivewhichIhaveneverheardnorreadaboutbefore,foreverythingIknowcomesnaturallytomyaid,butispowerlessagainstgrieflikethis.

13.ToSosiusSenecio

This year has raised a fine crop of poets; there was scarcely a daythroughout themonthofAprilwhen someonewasnot giving apublicreading.Iamgladtoseethatliteratureflourishesandthereisashowofbudding talent, in spite of the fact that people are slow to form anaudience.Mostofthemsitaboutinpublicplaces,gossipingandwastingtheir time when they could be giving their attention, and give ordersthattheyaretobetoldatintervalswhetherthereaderhascomeinandhas read thepreface,or iscoming to theendof thebook. It isnot tillthatmoment–andeventhenveryreluctantly–thattheycomedawdlingin.Nordo theystayvery long,but leavebefore theendsomeof themtryingtoslipoutunobservedandothersmarching,boldlyout.Andyetpeopletellhowinourfathers’ timetheEmperorClaudiuswaswalkingonthePalatinewhenheheardvoicesandaskedwhatwashappening;onlearning thatNonianuswasgivinga readinghe surprised theaudiencebyjoiningitunannounced.Todaythemanwithanyamountof leisure,invitedwellinadvanceandgivenmanyareminder,eithernevercomesatall,or,ifhedoes,complainsthathehaswastedaday–justbecausehehasnotwastedit.Themorepraiseandhonourthenisduetothosewhose interest in writing and reading aloud is not damped by theidlenessandconceitoftheirlisteners.

PersonallyIhavefailedscarcelyanyone,thoughIadmitthatmostoftheinvitationscamefrommyfriends;forthereareveryfewpeoplewhocare for literature without caring forme too. That is why I stayed intownlongerthanIintended,butnowIcanreturntomycountryretreatandwritesomethingmyself.Ishallnotreadittomyfriends,forIdon’twant it toseemthat Iwent tohear themwith the intentionofputtingthem in my debt. Here as elsewhere a duty performed deserves nogratitudeifareturnisexpected.

14.ToJuniusMauricus

You ask me to look out for a husband for your brother’s daughter, aresponsibilitywhichIfeelisveryrightlymine;foryouknowhowIhavealways loved and admired him as the finest of men, and how heinfluencedmyearlyyearsbyhisadviceandencouragedmetobecomeworthy of his praise. You could not entrustmewith anythingwhich Ivalueorwelcomesomuch,norcouldtherebeanymorebefittingdutyformethantoselectayoungmanworthytobethefatherofArulenusRusticus’sgrandchildren.

I should have had a long search if Minicius Acilianus were not athand,as ifheweremadeforus.He lovesmeaswarmlyasoneyoungmandoesanother(heisalittleyoungerthanIam),butrespectsmeashiselder,forheaspirestobeinfluencedandguidedbyme,asIwasby

youandyourbrother.HisnativeplaceisBrixia,1oneofthetownsinourpartofItalywhichstillretainsintactmuchofitshonestsimplicityalongwiththerusticvirtuesofthepast.HisfatherisMiniciusMacrinus,whochose to remain a leadingmember of the order of knights because he

desired nothing higher; the deified Emperor Vespasian would haveraisedhimtopraetorianrank,buthehasalwayssteadfastlypreferredalife of honest obscurity to our status – or our struggles to gain it.Hismaternal grandmother, Serrana Procula, comes from the town of

Patavium,2 whose reputation you know; but Serrana is a model ofproprietyevento thePatavians.Hisuncle,PubliusAcilius, isamanofexceptional character, wisdom and integrity. You will in fact findnothingtocriticizeinthewholehousehold,anymorethaninyourown.

Acilianushimselfhasabundantenergyandapplication,butno lackofmodesty.Hehasheldtheofficesofquaestor,tribuneandpraetorwithgreat distinction, thus sparing you the necessity of canvassing on hisbehalf.Hehasafrankexpression,andhiscomplexionisfreshandhigh-coloured; his general good looks have a natural nobility and thedignifiedbearingofasenator.(Ithinkthesepointsshouldbementioned,asasortofjustreturnforabride’svirginity.)Iamwonderingwhetherto add that his father has amplemeans; for if I picture you and yourbrother forwhomweare seekinga son-in-law, I feelnomoreneedbesaid;butinviewoftheprevailinghabitsofthedayandthelawsofthecountry which judge a man’s income to be of primary importance,perhapsafterallitissomethingwhichshouldnotbeomitted.Certainlyif one thinks of the children of the marriage, and subsequentgenerations, the question of money must be taken into account as afactorinfluencingourchoice.

It may seem to you that I have been indulging my affection, andgoingfurther thanthefactsallow,but Iassureyouonmyhonourthatyouwillfindtherealityfarbetterthanmydescription.Idoindeedlove

the youngman dearly, as he deserves, but, just because I love him, Iwouldnotoverloadhimwithpraise.

15.ToSepticiusClarus

Whoareyou,toacceptmyinvitationtodinnerandnevercome?Here’syoursentenceandyoushallpaymycostsinfull,nosmallsumeither.Itwas all laid out, one lettuce each, three snails, two eggs, barley-cake,andwinewithhoneychilledwithsnow(youwillreckonthistooplease,andasanexpensiveitem,seeingthatitdisappearsinthedish),besidesolives,beetroots,gherkins,onions,andanynumberofsimilardelicacies.Youwouldhaveheardacomicplay,areaderorsinger,orallthreeifIfelt generous. Instead you chose to go where you could have oysters,sow’sinnards,sea-urchins,andSpanishdancing-girls.Youwillsufferforthis – Iwon’t say how. Itwas a cruel trick done to spite one of us –yourselformostlikelyme,andpossiblybothofus,ifyouthinkwhatafeastoffun, laughterandlearningweweregoingtohave.Youcaneatricher food at many houses, but nowhere with such free and easyenjoyment. All I can say is, try me; and then, if you don’t prefer todeclineinvitationselsewhere,youcanalwaysmakeexcusestome.

16.ToEruciusClarus

I was always much attached to our friend Pompeius Saturninus, andadmired his talents long before I knew how versatile, sensitive andcomprehensivetheywere.NowIamtrulyhis,tohaveandtohold.

Ihaveheardhimplead in courtwith subtlety and fervour, andhis

speecheshavethesamefinishanddistinctionwhenimpromptuaswhen

theyareprepared.Hisaphorismsareaptandready,hisperiodsroundedwithaformaldignity,hisvocabularyimpressiveandclassical.AllofthisIfindpeculiarlysatisfyingwhenitiscarriedalongonthefullstreamofhis oratory, andno less sowhen examined in detail. Youwill feel thesamewhenyouhaveachancetohandlehisspeechesandcomparethemwith any one of the older orators to whose standards he aspires. Hishistorieswillpleaseyouevenmorebytheirconcisenessandclarity,thecharmandbrillianceoftheirstyleandtheirpowerofexposition,forthewordsheputsintothemouthsofhischaractersareasvividashisownpublicspeeches,thoughcondensedintoasimplerandterserstyle.

HealsowritesversesinthestyleofCatullusandCalvuswhichmightindeed be theirs, for these are full of wit and charm, bitterness andpassion; and, though he sometimes strikes a harsher note in the evenflow of his measures, it is done deliberately and in imitation of hismodels.Hehasrecentlyreadmesomeletterswhichhesaidwerewrittenby his wife, but sounded tome like Plautus or Terence being read inprose.Whethertheyarereallyhiswife’sashesays,orhisown(whichhedenies),onecanonlyadmirehimeither forwhathehaswrittenorforthewayhehascultivatedandrefinedthetasteofthegirlhemarried.

Soallmytimeisspentwithhim.IfIhavesomethingofmyowntowrite I read him first, and again afterwards; I read him for recreationandhenever seems thesame. Idourgeyou to readhimtoo.The factthatheisstillaliveshouldnotdetractfromhiswork.Ifhehadbeenoneofthewritersbeforeourowntimeweshouldbecollectinghisportraitsaswellashisbooks:arewethentolethimlanguishwithouthonouror

popularity, as if we saw too much of him, just because he is livingtoday?Itissurelyperverseandungeneroustorefuserecognitiontooneso deserving becausewe have the good fortune to enjoy his companyandconversation,andcandemonstrateouraffectionforthemanaswellasourappreciationofhiswork.

17.ToCorneliusTitianus

There is still a sense of loyalty and duty alive in theworld, andmenwhose affection does not die with their friends. Titinius Capito hasobtainedpermissionfromtheEmperortosetupastatueintheforumto

Lucius Silanus.1 To make use of one’s friendly relations with theEmperorforsuchapurpose,andtotesttheextentofone’sinfluencebypayingtributetoothersisagracefulgesturewhichdeservesnothingbutpraise.ItisindeedCapito’spracticetoshowrespecttofamousmen,andonemustadmirethereverencewithwhichhecaresforthefamilybustsofBrutus,Cassius,andCatowhichhehassetupinhisownhome,notbeingabletodosoelsewhere.Healsocelebratesthelivesofhisgreatestheroes in excellent verse, and you may be sure that his love of thevirtues of others means he has no lack of them himself. In hisrecognitionofwhatisduetoLuciusSilanus,Capitohaswonimmortalityforhimselfaswell,fortoerectastatueintheforumofRomeisasgreatanhonourashavingone’sownstatuethere.

18.ToSuetoniusTranquillus2

Soyouhavehadanalarmingdreamwhichmakesyoufearthatthecase

whichiscomingonmaygoagainstyou;andyouwantmetoapplyfor

anadjournmenttogetyouoffforafewdays,oronedayatleast.Itisn’teasy but I will try, ‘for a dream comes from Zeus’.1 But it makes a

differencewhetheryourdreamsusuallycometrueornot,fortojudgebya dream of my own, the one which has frightened you might wellforetellthatyouwillbesuccessful.IhadundertakentoactonbehalfofJuniusPastorwhenIdreamedthatmymother-in-lawcameandbeggedmeonherkneestogiveupthecase.IwasveryyoungatthetimeandIwas about to plead in die Centumviral Court against men of greatpoliticalinfluence,someofthemalsofriendsoftheEmperor;anyoneofthese considerations could have shaken my resolve after such adepressing dream, but I carried on, believing that “The best and onlyomen is to fight for your country’2 – or inmy case formy pledge to

Pastor,ifanythingcancomebeforeone’scountry.Iwonmycase,anditwasthatspeechwhichdrewattentiontomeandsetmeonthethresholdofasuccessfulcareer.

See then if you can follow my example, and give a happyinterpretationtoyourdream;butifyoustillthinkthereismoresafetyinthewarninggivenbyallcautiousfolk,‘whenindoubtdonothing’,youcanwriteandtellme.Iwillfindsomewayoutanddealwiththecasesothat you can take it upwhen youwish. I admit that your position isdifferentfrommine;adjournmentsarenevergrantedintheCentumviralCourt,butinyourcaseitispossiblethoughnoteasy.

19.ToRomatiusFirmus

YouandIbothcomefromthesametown,wenttothesameschool,and

havebeenfriendssincewewerechildren.Yourfatherwasaclosefriendof my mother’s and uncle’s, and a friend to me too, as far as ourdifferenceinageallowed;sotherearesoundandseriousreasonswhyIought to try to improve your position. You are a town-councillor ofComum,whichshowsthatyourpresentcapitalis100,000sesterces,soIwanttogiveyouanother300,000tomakeupyourqualificationfortheorder of knights. I can then have the pleasure of seeing you in thatpositionaswellas inyourpresentone.The lengthofour friendship issufficientguaranteethatyouwillnotforgetthisgift,andIshallnotevenremindyoutoenjoyyournewstatuswithbecomingdiscretion,becauseitwasreceivedthroughme;asIoughtto,didInotknowthatyouwilldo so unprompted. An honourable position has to bemaintainedwithspecialcareifitistokeepalivethememoryofafriend’sgenerousgift.

20.ToCorneliusTacitus

Iamalwayshavingargumentswithamanofconsiderablelearningandexperience,whoadmiresnothinginforensicoratorysomuchasbrevity.I admit that this is desirable if the case permits, but if it means thatpointswhich should bemade are omitted, or hurried overwhen theyshouldbeimpressedanddrivenhomebyrepetition,onecanonlyendbybetrayingone’sclient.Mostpointsgainweightandemphasisbyafullertreatment, and make their mark on the mind by alternate thrust andpause,asafenceruseshisfoil.

At this point he produces his authorities, and quotesme theGreekLysiasandourownRomans, thebrothersGracchusandCato. It is truethatmost of their speeches are short and concise, but I counter Lysias

with Demosthenes, Aeschines, Hyperides, and many others, and theGracchi and Cato with Pollio, Caesar, Caelius, and above all Cicero,

whose longest speech is generally considered his best.1 Like all goodthings,agoodbookisallthebetterifitisalongone;andstatues,busts,picturesanddrawingsofhumanbeings,manyanimalsandalsotreescanbe seen to gain by being on a large scale as long as they are well-proportioned. The same applies to speeches; andwhen published theylookbetterandmoreimpressiveinagood-sizedvolume.

Heparries thisand theotherexamples Iusuallycite to supportmyopinion,forheistoonimbleinargumentformetocometogripswithhim. Then he insists that the speeches I instance were shorter whendelivered than they are in their published form. This I deny. Severalspeechesbyvariousauthorsconfirmmyopinion,notablytwoofCicero’sin defence ofMurena and Varenus, where some sections are nomorethanabaresummaryofcertainchargeswhichare indicatedmerelybyheadings.It isobviousfromthisthatthepublishedspeechleavesoutagreat deal ofwhatCicero said in court.He alsomakes it clear that inaccordancewiththecustomofhisdayheconductedtheentiredefenceofCluentiusbyhimself,andactuallytookfourdaysoverhisdefenceofGaiusCornelius.Therecanbenodoubtthenthatifhetookseveraldaysto deliver his speeches in full hemust have subsequently pruned andrevised them in order to compress them into a single volume, thoughadmittedlyalargeone.

Thenitisarguedthatthereisagreatdifferencebetweenaspeechasdeliveredandthewrittenversion.This isapopularviewIknow,but Ifeel convinced (if I amnotmistaken) that, though some speechesmay

soundbetterthantheyread,ifthewrittenspeechisgooditmustalsobegoodwhendelivered, for it is themodel andprototype for the spokenversion. That is why we find so many rhetorical figures, apparentlyspontaneous,inanygoodwrittenspeech,eveninthosewhichweknowwerepublishedwithoutbeingdelivered’;forexample,inCicero’sspeechagainstVerres: ‘Anartist–nowwhowashe?thankyoufortellingme;

people said it was Polyclitus.’1 It follows then that the perfect speechwhendeliveredisthatwhichkeepsmostcloselytothewrittenversion,so longas the speaker isallowed the full timedue tohim; ifhe is cutshortitisnofaultofhis,butaseriouserroronthepartofthejudge.Thelaw supportsmy view, for it allows speakers any amount of time andrecommends not brevity but the full exposition and precision whichbrevitycannotpermit,exceptinveryrestrictedcases.LetmeaddwhatIhave learned from the best of all teachers, experience. On the manyoccasionswhenIhavebeencounsel,judge,orassessor,Ihavefoundthatpeopleareinfluencedindifferentways,andthatsmallpointsoftenhaveimportant consequences. Men’s powers of judgement vary with theirtemperaments;thustheycanlistentothesamecasebutreachdifferentconclusions,orperhapsthesameonebyadifferentemotionalreaction.Moreover, everyone is prejudiced in favour of his own powers ofdiscernment, and will always find an argument most convincing if itleadstotheconclusionhehasreachedforhimself;everyonemustthenbegivensomethinghecangraspandrecognizeashisownidea.

Regulusoncesaidtomewhenwewereappearinginthesamecase:‘Youthinkyoushouldfollowupeverypoint,butImakestraightforthethroat and hang on to that.’ (He certainly hangs on to whatever heseizes,butheoftenmissestherightplace.)Ipointedoutthatitmightbe

the knee or the heel he seizedwhen he thought he had the throat.’ Ican’t see the throat,’ I said,’ somymethod is to feelmyway and tryeverything–infactI“leavenostoneunturned”.’OnmyfarmsIcultivatemyfruittreesandfieldsascarefullyasmyvineyards,andinthefieldsIsowbarley,beansandotherlegumesaswellascornandwheat;sowhenIammakinga speech I scattervariousargumentsaround like seeds inorder to reapwhatever crop comes up. There are asmany unforeseenhazards and uncertainties to surmount in working on the minds ofjudgesasindealingwith,theproblemsofweatherandsoil.NorhaveIforgotten the words of the comic poet Eupolis in praise of the greatorator Pericles:’ Speedmarked hiswords, and persuasion sat upon hislips.Thushecouldcharm,yetaloneamongoratorslefthisstingbehindin his hearers.’ But ‘speed’ alone (whether by that ismeant brevity orrapidity or both, for they are different things) could not have givenPericleshispower topersuadeand charmhadhenot alsopossessedasupreme gift of eloquence. Charm and persuasion require fulness oftreatmentand time fordelivery,anda speakerwho leaveshis sting inthemindsofhishearersdoesnot stopatpricking them,butdriveshis

pointin.Andagain,anothercomicpoet1saidofPericlesthat‘heflashedlightning, thundered and confounded Greece’. It is no curtailed andrestricted style but a grand oratory, spacious and sublime, which canthunder,lighten,andthrowaworldintotumultandconfusion.

‘All the same, themean is best.’Noonedenies it, but to fall shortthrough over-compression is to miss the mean just as much as to bediffuseandgobeyondit.Thecriticism‘spiritlessandfeeble’isheardasoftenas‘excessiveandredundant’,whenonespeakerdoesnotcoverhisground and another goes outside it. Both fail, through weakness or

vitality,butthelatterisatleastthefaultofamorepowerfultalent,ifacrude one. In saying this I do not mean to praise Homer’s Thersites,

‘unbridled of, tongue’,2 but Odysseus with his ‘words like flakes ofwintersnow’;andIcanalsoverymuchadmireMenelauswhospoke‘at

nogreatlengthbutverydearly’.3But,ifIweregivenmychoice,Ipreferthespeechlikethewintersnows,onewhichisfluentandvigorous,butalsoexpansive,whichisinfactdivinelyinspired.

‘Butalotofpeoplelikeashortspeech.’Sotheydo,iftheyarelazy,but it is absurd to take their idle whim as a serious opinion; if youfollowedtheiradviceyouwoulddobestnotinashortspeechbutsayingnothingatall.

ThisistheviewIhavehelduptonow,thoughIcanmodifyitifyoudisagree; only please giveme your reasons if youdo. I know I shouldbow to your authority, but on an important question like this Iwouldratheryield toa reasonedargument than toauthorityalone.So if youthinkIamright,youneedonlytellmesoinasshortaletterasyoulike,as long as youwill write to corroboratemy opinion. If you thinkmewrong, make it a long one, and I only hope this does not look likebribery–todemandashortletterifyouagreewithme,andaverylongoneifyoudon’t.

21.ToPliniusPaternus

Ihave thehighestpossibleopinionofyour judgementandcriticaleye,notbecauseyourtasteissoverygood(don’tflatteryourself)butbecauseitisasgoodasmine.Jokingapart,Ithinktheslavesyouadvisedmetobuylookallright,butitremainstobeseeniftheyarehonest;andhere

onecan’tgobyaslave’slooks,butratherbywhatonehearsofhim.

22.ToCatiliusSeverus

Ihavebeenkeptintownforalongtimeinanappallingstateofmind.Iam exceedingly worried about Titius Aristo, aman I particularly loveandadmire,whohasbeenseriouslyillforsometime.Hehasnoequalinmoralinfluenceandwisdom,sothatIfeelthatitisnomereindividualindanger,butthatliteratureitselfandalltheliberalartsareendangeredin his person. His experience of civil and constitutional law, hisknowledge of human affairs and the lessons of history are such thatthere is nothing youmightwish to learnwhich he could not teach. Icertainly find him amine of informationwhenever I have an obscurepoint toconsider.He isgenuineandauthoritative inconversation,andhisdeliberatemanner is firmanddignified; therecanbefewquestionstowhichhecannotprovideareadyanswer,andyetheoftenpausestoweighupthemanyalternativeargumentswhichhiskeenandpowerfulintellectderivesfromtheirfundamentalsourceandthenselectswithfinediscrimination.

Moreover, his habits are simple and his dress is plain, and hisbedroomanditsfurniturealwaysseemtometogiveapictureofbygonesimplicity. It has its adornment in his greatness of mind, which caresnothingforshowbutreferseverythingtoconscience,seekingrewardforagooddeedinitsperformanceandnotinpopularopinion.InfactnoneofthosepeoplewhoparadetheirpursuitofknowledgebytheirpersonalappearancecanbecomparedwithamanlikeAristo.Hedoesnothauntthe gymnasia andpublic places, nor does he entertain himself andhis

friends in their leisure hours with long dissertations, but he plays anactive part in the business of civil life, helping many peopleprofessionally and stillmorebyhis personal advice.Yetnoneof thosewho rank high as philosophers can attain his high standard of virtue,duty,justiceandcourage.

Hispatience throughout this illness, ifyoucouldonly see it,wouldfill you with admiration; he fights against pain, resists thirst, andendurestheunbelievableheatofhis feverwithoutmovingorthrowingoff his coverings. A few days ago, he sent for me and some of hisintimatefriends,andtoldustoaskthedoctorswhattheoutcomeofhisillnesswouldbe,sothatifitwastobefatalhecoulddeliberatelyputanendtohislife,thoughhewouldcarryonwiththestruggleifitwasonlyto be long and painful; he owed it to his wife’s prayers and hisdaughter’stears,andtous,hisfriends,nottobetrayourhopesbyaself-inflicteddeathsolongasthesehopeswerenotvain.ThisIthinkwasaparticularlydifficultdecision tomake,whichmerits thehighestpraise.Manypeoplehavehisimpulseandurgetoforestalldeath,buttheabilitytoexaminecriticallytheargumentsfordying,andtoacceptorrejecttheideaoflivingornot,isthemarkofatrulygreatmind.Thedoctorsareinfactreassuringintheirpromises;itonlyremainsforthegodstoconfirmtheseand freemeat long last frommyanxiety. If theydo, I can thenreturn toLaurentum, tomybooksandnotesand freedomforwork.AtpresentIamalwayssittingbyAristo’sbedsideorworryingabouthim,sothatIhaveneithertimenorinclinationforreadingorwritinganything.

Thereyouhavemyfears,hopes,andplansforthefuture;inreturn,giveme your news, past, present and to come, but pleasemake your

lettermorecheerfulthanmine.Itwillbeagreatcomfortinmytroubleifyouhavenocomplaints.

23.ToPompeiusFalco

YouwanttoknowwhatIthinkaboutyourcontinuingtopractiseinthelawcourtswhileyouhold theofficeof tribune. It depends entirelyontheviewyoutakeofthetribunate–an‘emptyform’anda‘meretitle’,or an inviolable authority which should not be called in question byanyone,noteventheholder.WhenIwastribunemyself,Iactedontheassumption (whichmay have been awrong one) thatmy office reallymeantsomething.Ithereforegaveupallmycourtwork,forIthoughtitunsuitableforatribunetostandwhileotherswereseated,whenitwasreallyeveryman’sdutytoriseandgiveplacetohim;tobecutshortbythewater-clockthough,hehadthepowertocommandanyone’ssilence;and,althoughitwassacrilegetointerrupthim,tobeexposedtoinsultswhichhe couldnotpassoverwithoutanappearanceofweakness,norcounter without seeming to abuse his power. I had also to face thedifficultyofhowtoreactifmyclientormyopponentweretoappealtome as tribune, whether to lendmy aid by interposingmy veto, or tokeep silent as if I had laid downmy office and resumedmy status ofprivatecitizen.ForthesereasonsIchosetobetribunetoallratherthangivemyprofessionalservicestoafew;butyourowndecision,asIsaidbefore,canonlydependonyourideaofthetribunateandthepartyouintendtoplay:awisemanwillchooseonewithinhiscapacitytoplaytotheend.

24.ToBaebiusHispanus

MyfriendSuetoniusTranquilluswishestobuyasmallpropertywhichIhearafriendofyoursistryingtosell.Pleaseseethathehasitatafairprice, so that he will be pleased with his purchase. A bad bargain isalwaysannoying,andespeciallybecauseitseemstoreproachtheownerfor his folly. There is indeed much about this property to whetTranquillus’s appetite if only theprice suitshim: easyaccess toRome,good communications, amodest house, and sufficient land for him toenjoy without taking up too much of his time. Scholars turnedlandowners, like himself, need nomore land thanwill suffice to cleartheir heads and refresh their eyes, as they stroll around their groundsand tread their singlepath,getting toknoweachoneof theirpreciousvinesandcountingeveryfruittree.

IamwritingthistoshowyouhowmuchhewillbeinmydebtandIinyoursifheisabletobuythissmallestatewithallitsadvantagesatareasonablepricewhichwillleavehimnoroomforregrets.

BOOKTWO

1.ToVoconiusRomanus

ItissomeyearssinceRomehashadsuchasplendidsighttorememberas thepublic funeral ofVerginiusRufus, oneof our greatest andmostdistinguished citizens whom we can also count a fortunate one. For

thirtyyearsafterhishourofglory1helivedontoreadabouthimselfinhistoryandverse,so thathewasa livingwitnessofhis fametocome.He was three times consul, and thus attained the highest distinctionshortoftheimperialpoweritself;forthishehadrefused.Hisvirtueshadbeen suspected and resented by certain of the Emperors, but he hadescaped arrest and lived to see a truly good and friendly ruler safelyestablished; so that hemight have been spared for the honour of thispublicfuneralwehavejustseen.Hehadreachedtheageofeighty-three,livingincloseretirementanddeeplyrespectedbyusall,andhishealthwas good, apart froma tremblingof thehands, not enough to troublehim.Onlydeathwhenitcamewasslowandpainful,thoughwecanonlyadmirethewayhefacedit.HewasrehearsingthedeliveryofhisaddressofthankstotheEmperorforhiselectiontohisthirdconsulship,whenhehadoccasiontotakeupaheavybook,theweightofwhichmadeitfalloutofhishands,ashewasanoldmanandstandingatthetime.Hebent

downtopickitup,andlosthisfootingontheslipperypolishedfloor,sothathe fellandfracturedhis thigh.Thiswasbadlyset,andbecauseofhisageitnevermendedproperly.

SuchwasthemanwhosefuneraldoescredittotheEmperorandourtimes, to the forumand its speakers.His funeralorationwasdeliveredbytheconsul,CorneliusTacitus,amosteloquentorator,andhistributeput thecrowning touch toVerginius’sgood fortune.Hedied toowhenfullofyearsandrichinhonours,eventhosewhichherefused;anditislefttoustoseekhimandfeelhislossasafigurefromapastage.Ishallfeel itmore than anyone, sincemy admiration for his public qualitieswasmatchedbypersonalaffection.Ihadmanyreasonstolovehim;wecamefromthesamedistrictandneighbouringtowns,andourlandsandproperty adjoined each other; and then he was left by will as myguardian,andgavemea father’saffection.Sowhen Iwasacandidateforoffice,hegavemethesupportofhisvote,andwhenIentereduponmyduties,he lefthis retirement tohasten tomysidealthoughhehadlongsincegivenupsocial functionsof thatkind;andonthedaywhenthe priests nominate those they judge suitable for a priesthood, healwaysnominatedme.Evenduringhislastillness,whenhewasanxiousnot tobe selected for theBoardof Five set upby senatorial decree toreducepublicexpenditure,inspiteofmyyouthhechosemetomakehisofficial excuses (although many of his friends and contemporaries ofconsular rank were still living), and told me that he would haveentrustedthistomeevenifhehadhadasonofhisown.

HenceImustaskyoutobearwithmygriefathisdeathasifhehaddiedbeforehis time; if indeed it is right to grieveor even togive the

nameofdeath towhathasended themortal existence rather than thelifeofsogreataman.Forhelivesandwillliveforever,andinawidersenseinourmemoriesandonourlips,nowthathehasleftoursight.

I intended towrite to you aboutmany other things, but Verginiustakes up all my thoughts. I see him in my mind’s eye, and in thesedreams,sovividandsovain,Ispeaktohim,heanswers,andIfeelhispresencenear.Theremaybesomecitizenswithusnowwhocanequalhismerits,andtherewillbeothers,butnonewillwinhisfame.

2.ToValeriusPaulinus

I am furious with you, rightly or not I don’t know, but it makes nodifference. You know very well that love is sometimes unfair, oftenviolent, and always quick to take offence, but I have good reason,whetherornot it isa justone, tobeas furiousas Iwouldbe ina justcause.ItissolongsinceIhavehadaletterfromyou.Theonlywaytoplacatemeistowritemealotoflettersnow,atlonglast–lengthyones,too.Thatishowyoucanhonestlywinmyforgiveness;Ishallnothearofanythingelse.Don’tsayyouwerenotinRomeorweretoobusybecauseIshan’tlisten,onlyforheaven’ssakedon’ttellmeyouwereill.Iaminthecountry,dividingmytimebetweenthetwopleasuresofaholiday–readingandrelaxation.

3.ToMaeciliusNepos

Isaeus’sgreatreputationhadreachedRomeaheadofhim,butwefoundhim to be even greater than we had heard. He has a remarkably

eloquentstyle,richinvariety,andthoughhealwaysspeaksextempore

hisspeechessoundasthoughhehadspenttimeonpreparingthem.HeexpresseshimselfinGreek,Attictobeprecise;hisintroductoryremarkshave a neatness and polish which is very attractive, and can also beimpressive in the grand style.Hismethod is to ask his audience for asubject, leaving the choiceandoften the sidehe is to takewith them;thenherises,wrapshiscloakroundhim,andbeginstospeak.Whateverthe subject he is ready at once,with every latent implication clear tohimandexpressedinwordswhichareaccurateandwellchosen;sothattheextentofhisreadingandhispracticeincompositionareimmediatelyapparent. He comes straight to the point in his opening words, he isclear in exposition and penetrating in argument, he draws hisconclusions boldly and expresses himself with dignity; it is in factdifficulttochoosebetweenhispowerstoinstruct,tocharm,ortomovehishearers.He is readywith rhetorical figuresand syllogisms, suchascouldnoteasilybeworkedoutsoconciselyeveninwriting,andhasanamazingmemory,sothathecanrepeathisextemporespeecheswordforword without a single mistake, a technique he has developed byapplication and constant practice; for night and day every action andwordofhisaredirectedtothisendalone.

Hehasreachedtheageofsixty,buthaspreferredtoremainateacherof rhetoric, keeping to a profession followed by some of the mostgenuinely sincere and honest of men. Those of us whose energies arewastedontheactivelitigationinthecourtscannothelplearningagooddeal of sharp practice, but the imaginary cases in the schoolroom andlecture-hall do no harmwith their blunted foils and are none the lessenjoyable;especiallytotheold,wholikenothingsomuchastowitness

thejoysoftheiryouth.ConsequentlyitseemstomethatIsaeus’sgiftofeloquencehasalsobroughthimverygreathappiness,andifyouaren’teager tomeet him, you can’t have any human feeling at all. Nothingbrings you to Rome,myself included, but do come to hear him.Have

you never heard the story of the Spaniard from Gades?1 He was sostirredbythefamousnameofLivythathecamefromhisfarcornerofthe earth to have one look at him and thenwent back again. Only aboorish ignorance and a shocking degree of apathy could prevent youfromthinkingitworthanefforttogainanexperiencewhichwillproveso enjoyable, civilized and rewarding. You may say that you haveauthors as eloquentwhoseworks canbe read at home; but the fact isthat you can read them any time, and rarely have the opportunity tohear the real thing.Besides,we are always being told that the spokenwordismuchmoreeffective;howeverwellapieceofwritingmakesitspoint, anything which is driven into the mind by the delivery andexpression, tie appearance and gestures of a speaker remains deeplyimplanted there, unless there is no truth in the tale of Aeschines atRhodes,whocounteredthegeneralapplausehewonforhisreadingofoneofDemosthenes’ speecheswith thewords: ‘Supposeyouhadheardthebeasthimself?’Andyet,ifwearetobelieveDemosthenes,Aeschineshad a very good voice; all the same, he admitted that the speech hadbeenmuchbetterwhenitsauthordeliveredithimself.

AllthisgoestoshowthatyououghttohearIsaeus–indeed,thesolepurposeofthisletteristomakesureyoudo.

4.ToCalvina

Ifyour fatherhaddied indebt tomore thanoneperson,or toanyoneother than myself, you might perhaps have hesitated to accept aninheritancewhichevenamanwouldhavefoundaburden.ButIthoughtitmydutyasyourrelativetopayoffanyonewhowasratherpressing,thoughnotactuallyoffensive, soas tobe left solecreditor;andduringyour father’s lifetimeIhadcontributed100,000sesterces towardsyourdowryonmarriageinadditiontowhathehadassignedyou(whichalsocameindirectlyfromme,asitcouldonlybepaidfromhisaccountwithme). All this should be a firm guarantee ofmy generous feelings, andought to give you confidence to defend your late father’s honour andreputation;toprovideyoualsowithpracticalencouragementIshallgiveinstructionsforhisdebttometobeenteredaspaid.Youneednotfearthat such a giftwill taxmy finances. It is true thatmy resources as awholearenotverygreatandmypositionisexpensivetokeepup;beingdependent on the waymy property is farmed,my income is small orprecarious,butitsdeficienciescanbemadeupbysimpleliving.Thisisthe spring from which my well of kindness is supplied, and though Imustnotdrawuponitwithoutrestraint,lestitdryupaftertoolavishaflow,Icankeepmyrestraintforothers;Icaneasilymakemyaccountsbalanceinyourcaseeveniftheyhavepassedtheirusualfigure.

5.ToLupercus

Iamsendingyouthespeech1whichyouhaveoftenaskedforandIhavepromisedmore than once, but not the whole of it yet, as part is stillunder revision. Meanwhile I thought that the more finished portionsmightsuitablybehandedovertoyouforyouropinion.Pleasegivethem

your close attention andwrite down your comments, for I have neverhandledanysubjectwhichdemandedgreatercare.InmyotherspeechesIhavesubmittedtopublicopinionnomorethanmyindustryandgoodfaith,butheremypatrioticfeelingswereinvolvedaswell.Consequentlythetexthasgrown,forIwasgladoftheopportunitytopayatributeofadmirationtomynativeplace,andatthesametimenotonlytodefendits interests but to bring it further fame. But these are the passages Iwant you to prune down as you think fit, forwhenever I think of thewhims and fancies of the reading public I realize that I can onlywinapprovalbykeepingthetextwithinbounds.

AswellasthisseverityIamdemandingfromyouIamcompelledtoaskfortheexactopposite,thatis,yourindulgenceforseveralpassages.Someconcessionsmustbemadetoayouthfulaudience,especiallyifthesubject-matter permits; for example, descriptions of places (which arefairly frequent in this speech)may surely introduce a touch of poetryintoplainprose.But, if anyone thinks that Ihavehandled this subjecttoolightlyforseriousoratory,thenhisausterity,ifImaycallitso,willhavetofindappeasementintherestofthespeech.Ihavecertainlytriedtoappeal toall thedifferent typesof readerbyvaryingmystyle,and,though I amafraid that somepeoplewill disapproveof certaindetailsbecause of their individual tastes, I still think I can be sure that thespeechas awholewill begenerally likedbecauseof this variety.At adinnerpartywemayindividuallyrefuseseveraldishes,butweallpraisethewholemealandthefoodwhichisnottoourtastedoesnotspoilourpleasureinwhatwedolike.

IhopethatyouwillunderstandbythisnotthatIbelievethatIhave

achievedmyaim,butthatIhavetriedtosodo;andperhapsmyeffortswillnothavebeeninvainifyouwillonlygiveyourcriticalattentiontowhatyouhavenow,andafterwardstowhatfollows.Youmaysaythatyouneedtohaveseenthewholespeechifyouaretodothisaccurately,andIrealizethis;butforthemomentyoucanfamiliarizeyourselfwithwhat I send, and therewill be some passageswhich can be correctedapartfromthewhole.Youcouldnotjudgewhethertheheadoralimbofastatueisinproportionandharmonizeswiththewholeifyouexamineit detached from the trunk, but you could still decide if it was wellformedinitself;andtheonlyreasonwhybooksofselectedextractsarecirculated is because some passages are thought to be complete apartfromtheircontext.

Itisapleasuretotalktoyou,butIhaverunontoolong;Imuststop,orthisletterwillgobeyondtheboundsIthinkproperevenforaspeech.

6.ToJuniusAvitus

It would take too long to go into the details (which anyway don’tmatter) of how I happened to be dining with a man - though noparticularfriendofhis–whoseeleganteconomy,ashecalledit,seemedtomeasortofstingyextravagance.Thebestdishesweresetinfrontofhimselfandaselectfew,andcheapscrapsoffoodbeforetherestofthecompany.Hehadevenput thewine into tiny little flasks,divided intothreecategories,notwiththeideaofgivinghisgueststheopportunityofchoosing,but tomake it impossible for themtorefusewhat theyweregiven.Onelotwasintendedforhimselfandforus,anotherforhislesserfriends (all his friends are graded) and the third for his and our

freedmen. My neighbour at table noticed this and asked me if Iapproved. I said Ididnot.’ Sowhatdoyoudo?’heasked. ‘I serve thesametoeveryone,forwhenIinviteguestsitisforameal,nottomakeclassdistinctions;Ihavebroughtthemasequalstothesametable,soIgive them the same treatment in everything.’ ‘Even the freedmen?’ ‘Ofcourse, for then they are my fellow-diners, not freedmen.’ ‘That mustcostyoua lot.’ ‘Onthecontrary.’ ‘Howis that?’ ‘BecausemyfreedmendonotdrinkthesortofwineIdo,butIdrinktheirs.’Believeme,ifyourestrain your greedy instincts it is no strain on your finances to sharewith several others the fare you have yourself. It is this greed whichshouldbeputdownand’ reduced to the ranks’ ifyouwouldcutdownyour expenses, andyou cando this far better by self-restraint thanbyinsultstoothers.Thepointofthisstoryistopreventapromisingyoungmanlikeyourselffrombeingtakeninby(hisextravaganceunderguiseof economy which is to be found at the table in certain homes.WheneverImeetwithsuchasituation,myaffectionforyoupromptsmetoquoteitasawarningexampleofwhattoavoid.Rememberthenthatnothing is more to be shunned than this novel association ofextravagance andmeanness; vices which are bad enough when singleandseparate,butworsewhenfoundtogether.

7.ToCaeciliusMacrinus

Yesterday on the Emperor’s proposal the Senate decreed a triumphal

statue to Vestricius Spurinna,1 an honour granted to many who haveneverfacedabattle,neverseenacampnorevenheardthesoundofatrumpet except at the theatre; but Spurinna was one of those heroes

whose honours were won by the blood and sweat of action. It wasSpurinna who established the chief of the Bructeri in his kingdom byforce of arms, and bymere threat of war against a savage people heterrorizeditintosubmission,sowinningthefinesttypeofvictory.Nowhe has his reward ofmerit; and to bring him consolation in grief thehonour of a statuewas also granted to Cottius, the sonwho had diedduringhisabsenceabroad.Thisisrarelygrantedtoayoungman,butinthis case it was also due to the father whose grievous sorrow neededsomespecial remedy toassuage it.Cottiushimselfhadalsogivensuchmarked indication of his promise that some sort of immortality wasrequiredtoextendalifethuscutshort.Hishighprinciples,hissenseofdutyand influenceweresuchas tomakehimrivalhiselders inmerit,andheisnowraisedtobetheirequalinhonour.Andindeed,ingrantingthishonourtheSenatewouldseemtometohavehadinmindnotonlyCottius’smemoryandhisfather’sgrief,butalsotheeffectonthepublic.Thegrantingofsuchhighrewardstotheyoung,providedthattheyareworthyofthem,willwinouryoungmentovirtue;andwiththeprospectofhappinessiftheirsonssurvive,andsuchsplendidconsolationiftheydie, our leading citizens will be encouraged to undertake theresponsibilityofchildren.

For thesepublicconsiderations, then, Iamgladabout the statue toCottius,as Iam forpersonal reasons. I loved thisexcellentyoungmandearly,sothatImisshimnowunbearably;itwillthereforebeapleasureformetocontemplatehisstatue,turnbacktolookatit,standatitsfoot,andwalkpastit.Weseekconsolationinsorrowinthebustsofourdeadwesetupinourhomes;stillmorethenshouldwefinditinthestatuesstandinginpublicplaces,forthesecanrecallmen’sfameanddistinction

aswellastheirformsandfaces.

8.ToCaniniusRufus

Areyoureading, fishing,orhuntingordoingall three?Youcandoalltogetheron the shoresofComo, for there isplentyof fish in the lake,game tohunt in thewoods around, and every opportunity to study inthedepthsofyourretreat.Whetherit iseverythingoronlyonethingIcan’tsayIbegrudgeyouyourpleasures;Iamonlyvexedatbeingdeniedthemmyself,forIhankerafterthemasasickmandoesforwine,baths,and cool springs. I wonder if I shall ever be able to shake off theseconstricting fetters if I amnot allowed to undo them, and I doubt if Iever shall.Newbusinesspilesupon theoldbefore theold is finished,and, as more and more links are added to the chain, I see my workstretchingoutfartherandfarthereveryday.

9.ToDomitiusApollinaris

MyfriendSextusEruciusisstandingforoffice,andthisisworryingmevery much; in fact I feel far more anxious and apprehensive for my‘second self than I ever did on my own account. Besides, my ownhonour,myreputation,andmypositionareallatstake,foritwasIwhopersuaded the Emperor to raise Sextus to senatorial rank by grantinghimaquaestorship,anditisonmynominationthatheisnowstandingfortheofficeoftribune.IfheisnotelectedbytheSenate,Iamafraiditwill lookas though Ihavedeceived theEmperor;andso it isessentialfor me to see that everyone shares the high opinion which I led the

Emperortoform.

EvenifIhadnotthisincentiveIshouldstillbeanxioustosupportayoungmanof suchoutstandingmerit,whose senseofduty ismatchedby his accomplishments and who is like all the rest of his family indeservingeveryformofpraise.HisfatherisEruciusClarus,amodelofancientvirtueandaskilledandpractisedadvocate,whoconductsallhiscases with the utmost honesty and determination, equalled by hisdiscretion. His uncle, Gaius Septicius, is the most genuinely reliable,frankandtrustworthymanIknow.Thefamilyisunitedinitsaffectionfor me, though each member tries to show it most, and now is mychance to show my gratitude to them all by helping one of them.ConsequentlyIamapproachingallmyfriendstobegtheirsupport,andgoing the round of private houses and public places, testing whatinfluenceandpopularity Ihavebymyentreaties; and Idobegyou tothinkitworthwhiletorelievemeofapartofmyburden.Iwilldothesame for you, asked or unasked. You are popular, admired, andmuchsoughtafter;youhaveonlytomakeyourwishesplain,andtherewillbenolackofpeoplepositivelyanxioustothinkasyoudo.

10.ToOctaviusRufus

Is it indifference, obstinacy, or a sort of cruelty which makes youwithholdworksofsuchdistinctionsolong?Howmuchlongerwillyoudenyusourpleasureandyourselfyourcrowningglory?Theyshouldbeon all our lips, to travel aswidely as the speech of Rome. Our hopeshave longbeenhigh, andyououghtnot still to cheat anddefer them.Someofyourverseshavebrokenfreeinspiteofyouandhavebecome

morewidely known; unless you recall them to be incorporated in thewhole, like runaway slaves theywill find someoneelse to claim them.Bear inmindthatyouareboundbyman’smortality,but that thisonememorial of yourself can set you free: everything else is fragile andfleetinglikemanhimself,whodiesandisnomore.Youwillgiveyourusualanswer;thatyourfriendscanseetothis.Ionlyhopethatyouhavefriendswhocombinelearningwithloyaltyandindustrysothattheyareableaswellaswillingtoundertakesuchadifficultandlaborioustask;but ask yourself whether it is not ill-advised to expect from others aservicewhichyouwillnotperformforyourself.

Asforpublication–doasyoulikeforthepresent,aslongasyougivesomereadings.Youmaythenfeelmoreinclinedtopublish,andwillatleasthavethepleasurewhichIhavelongbeenconfidentlyanticipatingfor you. I picture to myself the crowds, the admiration and applausewhichawaityou,andthehushedstillness–forIpersonallylikethisasmuchasapplausewhenIamspeakingorreading,aslongasitindicatesakeenattentivenessandeagernesstohearwhatfollows.Agreatrewardawaits you, and you must stop denying your work its due by yourinterminablehesitation; for if thisgoestoofarthere isadangerthat itwillbegivenanothername–idleness,indolence,orpossiblytimidity.

11.ToMaturusArrianus

YouarealwaysgladtohearofanythingtakingplaceintheSenatewhichis in keeping with its dignity, for though you have chosen to live inretirement in search of a quiet life you have kept your interest in thehonour of the State. Sohere is thenewsof the last fewdays – a case

whichhasattractedattentionbecauseofthecelebrityofthedefendant,hassetanexampleofseveritywhichwilldoagreatdealofgood,andisunlikelytobeforgottenbecauseoftheimportanceoftheissueinvolved.

A charge was brought by the province of Africa against their ex-

governor, Marius Priscus.1 He pleaded guilty and applied for acommission toassess compensation tobepaid.CorneliusTacitusand Iwereinstructedtoactfortheprovincials,andaccordinglythoughtitourduty to inform the Senate that criminal offences of such monstrosityexceeded the powers of a commission, seeing that Priscus had takenbribes to sentence innocent persons to punishment and even to death.Catius Fronto replied in his defence with a plea for the charge to belimited to the question of restitution ofmoney extorted, and, as he ispractisedintheartofdrawingtears,hewasabletofillallthesailsofhisspeechwith a breeze of pathos. Therewas a violent argument and anoutcryallround,onesidearguingthattheSenate’sjudicialpowerswerelimitedbylaw,theotherthattheywerefreeandunlimitedandthatthedefendant should be punished to the full extent of his guilt. FinallyJuliusFerox,theconsul-elect,whoseintegrityalwayscommandsrespect,proposedthatPriscusshouldbeprovisionallygrantedacommission,butthatthepersonsnamedashavinggivenbribestoprocuretheconvictionof the innocent should be summoned as witnesses. Not only was thisproposal carried but itwas in fact the only one to gainmuch supportafter all the previous argument; experience shows that appeals forsupportandsympathymakeanimmediatestrongimpact,butgraduallylose their fire and die down under the influence of a reasonedjudgement.Hencethefactthatinageneraluproarmanywillsupportanopinionwhichnooneispreparedtodefendwhensilenceisrestored,for

onlywhenseparatedfromthecrowdisitpossibletoformaclearviewofasituationwhichthecrowdhithertoobscured.

Thetwowitnesses,VitelliusHonoratusandFlaviusMarcianus,weresummonedtoappearanddulyarrivedinRome.HonoratuswaschargedwithhavingprocuredtheexileofaRomanknightandthedeathofsevenof the latter’s friends for a bribe of 300,000 sesterces, andMarcianuswithhavingpaid700,000forvariouspunishmentsinflictedonaRomanknight, who had been flogged, condemned to the mines, and finallystrangledinprison.However,HonoratusescapedjusticeatthehandsoftheSenatebyhistimelydeath,andMarcianusappearedincourtintheabsenceofPriscus.Accordinglytheex-consulTucciusCerialisexercisedthe senatorial right to speak by demanding that Priscus be informed,thinking that either hewould excitemore sympathy or possiblymoreindignationbyhispresence,or,moreprobablytomymind,becauseitiscommon justice that a charge made against two persons should bedefended by both of them, and both should be convicted if unable toclearthemselves.

ThehearingwasadjourneduntilthenextmeetingoftheSenate,andthiswasamostimpressivesight.TheEmperorpresided(beingconsul),andthiswasthemonthofJanuarywhentherearealwayslargenumbersof people and particularly senators in Rome. Then the gravity of thecase, the rumours andexpectations increasedby theadjournment, andthenatural curiosityofhumannature foranythingnewand importanthad attracted members from all parts. You can imagine our nervousanxietyathavingtospeakonsuchasubjectbeforetheEmperor,andinan assembly of this kind. It is true that I have often addressed the

Senate,andnowheredoIreceiveamoresympathetichearing,but thistime all the unusual features of the casemademe unusually nervous.For,aswellastheproblemsIhavedescribed,Iwasconfrontedwiththespecialdifficultiesof thecase.Beforeme stoodamanwhohadup tillrecently been of consular rant and a member of one of the priestly

colleges,1 and was now degraded; as he was thus condemned, it wasextremelydifficulttomakehimthesubjectofaprosecutingspeech,forinspiteoftheweightof,thehorriblechargesagainsthimhehadinhisfavouracertainamountofsympathyarousedbyhispreviousconviction.

However, Imanaged to pullmyself andmy thoughts together, andbegantospeak,meetingwithawarmreceptiontomakeupformyfears.My speech lasted for nearly five hours, for I was allowed four water-clocks aswell asmy original twelve of the largest size; thus all thosedifficultiesIhadanticipatedinmypathweredispelledwhenIcametospeak. The Emperor did indeed show such an attentive and kindlyinterest inme (I should not like to call it anxiety onmy behalf) thatmorethanonce,whenhefanciedIwasputtingtoomuchstrainonmyrather delicate constitution, he suggested to my freedman standingbehind me that I should spare my voice and my lungs. ClaudiusMarcellinus replied on behalf of Marcianus, after which the courtadjourneduntilthefollowingday;anyfurtherspeechwouldhavehadtobecutshortatnightfall.

NextdaySalviusLiberalisspokeindefenceofPriscus.Heisapreciseandmethodicalspeakerwithaforcefulcommandofwords,andthiscasebroughtallhispowersintofullplay.CorneliusTacitusmadeaneloquentspeech in reply, with all the majesty which characterizes his style of

oratory. Catius Fronto resumed the defence and made an excellentspeech,whichatthisstagehethoughtbesttoapplytopleasformercyratherthandefensivearguments.Hefinishedspeakingattheendoftheday, but did not have to cut short his words. The summing-up wasaccordinglypostponeduntilthethirdday,therebyfollowingagoodandlong-establishedprecedent in the Senateof interruptingproceedings atnightfallandresumingthemnextdayinacontinuousthree-daysession.

Cornutus Tertullus, the consul-elect, who always stands out for hisstrict adherence to the truth, then proposed that the bribe of 700,000sesterces which Priscus had taken should be paid by him into theTreasury, that Priscus should be exiled from Rome and Italy, andMarcianusfromRome,Italy,andAfrica.Heendedhisspeechbystatingon behalf of the Senate that, by our conscientious and courageoushandling of the prosecution entrusted to us, Tacitus and I wereconsidered to have correctly carried out the duty assigned us. Theconsuls-elect supported him and so did all the consulars down toPompeiusCollega,whothenproposedthatthe700,000sestercesshouldbepaidintotheTreasuryandMarcianusbanishedforfiveyears,butthatPriscus should receive no sentence beyond the one already passed onhim for extorting money. Both proposals found many supporters,especially the second one, being less severe, or if you prefer, morelenient; and there were some who seemed to be in agreement withCornutusbutwentovertoCollegaaftertheyheardhimspeak.But,whenthedivisionwastaken,firstthemembersstandingbytheconsuls’chairsbegan to go over to Cornutus’s side, then those who were lettingthemselves be counted with Collega crossed the floor, so that Collegawasleftwithscarcelyanyone.Hecomplainedbitterlyafterwardsabout

those who had led him on, especially Regulus, who had actually toldhimwhattosayandthendesertedhim.(Regulus’sinstabilitygenerallyleadshimintorashventureswhichheafterwardsregrets.)

So ended this important trial. There is still aminormatter, thoughnot unimportant, concerning Priscus’s deputy, Hostilius Firminus, whowasimplicatedinthechargeand,indeed,veryheavilyinvolved.Itwasproved from the accounts of Marcianus and from a speech made byFirminus in the town-councilofLepcis thathehadhelpedPriscus inaparticularly shocking piece of work, and had also bargained withMarcianus to receive 200,000 sesterces; and he had in fact been paid10,000 under the disgraceful head of ‘cosmetics’ – an entry quite inkeeping with his dandified elegance. The Senate adopted Cornutus’sproposal to refer his case to the next session; for, either by chance orthroughknowledgeofhisguilt,Firminuswasnotpresent.

Somuch for the city.Nowgivemenewsof the country –howareyourfruittreesandyourvines,theharvestandyourprizesheep?Unlessyou answer me in as long a letter as this, you can expect nothing infuturebuttheshortestnote.

12.ToMaturusArrianus

That‘minormatter’whichIsaidinmylastletterwasleftoverfromthecase ofMarius Priscus, is settled and donewith, though it could havebeen better handled. Firminus was summoned before the Senate toanswerthechargealreadyknown.Thentheconsuls-electfailedtoagreeona sentence;CornutusTertullusproposed thathe shouldbe expelledfromtheSenate,butAcutiusNervathoughtitsufficientifhisclaimwere

not considered when lots were drawn for provinces. This was theopinionwhich prevailed as being themore lenient, though in anothersense it is more cruelly severe. Nothing could be worse than to bestrippedof all theprivileges of senatorial rankbutnot tobe ridof itstoilsandtroubles,andnothingmorehumiliatingforanyonesodisgracedthantoremaininhisconspicuouspositionexposedasamarkedmantothe public gaze instead of hiding himself in retirement. And besides,nothingcouldbemoreunsuitableorlessconducivetothepublicinterestthan fora senator to retainhis seatafterhehasbeencensuredby theSenate,toremainequalinstatustothosewhocensuredhim,andthoughdebarred fromagovernorship forhisdisgracefulconductasgovernor’sdeputytoretainhispowerofpassingjudgementonothergovernors,tocondemnoracquitthemonchargesonwhichhehashimselfbeenfoundguilty. But themajority gave their assent; for votes are counted, theirvalue is not weighed, and no other method is possible in a publicassembly.Yetthisstrictequalityresultsinsomethingverydifferentfromequity, so longasmenhave the same right to judgebutnot the sameabilitytojudgewisely.

I have keptmyword and the promise Imade you inmy previousletter,whichIthinkmusthavereachedyou,judgingbythedate.Igaveittoafastandreliablecourier–unlesshehasbeendelayedontheroad.Nowitisyourturntopaymeforboththeseletters;therecanbenolackofnewsfromyourpartoftheworld.

13.ToJavolenus(?)Priscus

Youwould gladly seize any opportunity to obligeme, and there is no

onetowhomIwouldratherbeindebtthantoyou.SofortworeasonsIhave singled you out to approach with a request which I am mostanxious to be granted. Your command of a large army gives you aplentifulsourceofbenefitstoconfer,andsecondly,yourtenurehasbeenlong enough for you to have provided for your own friends’. Turn tomine – they are not many. You might wish them more, but modestyrestrictsmetooneortwoandtheoneIhavemostinmindisVoconiusRomanus.

His fatherwas distinguished in the order of knights; evenmore sowas his stepfather, whom I should rather call his other father for hiskindness to his stepson; his mother comes from a leading family. Hehimself recently held a priesthood in Hither Spain, a province wellknown to you for its high principles and good judgement.Hewasmyclose and intimate friend when we were students together, mycompanioninthecityandoutofit;withhimIsharedeverything,workand play. No one could be a more faithful friend or more delightfulcompanion.Hisconversation,voice,andwholeexpressionhaveaspecialcharm,andheisgiftedbesideswithapowerfulandpenetratingintellect,trainedbyhisprofessionatthebartoexpressitselfwitheaseandgrace.Inaddition,thelettershewriteswouldmakeonebelievethattheMusesspeak Latin. I love him dearly, as he does me. Ever since our youthtogetherIhavebeenanxioustodoasmuchforhimasmyagepermitted,and I recentlyobtained forhim fromournobleEmperor theprivileges

granted to parents of three children;1 the Emperor used to grant thissparinglyandaftercarefulselection,buthegrantedmyrequestasifthechoicewerehisown.Thebestwayformetoconfirmmyservicesisbyadding to them, especially as Romanus’s grateful appreciation in

acceptancerevealshimasworthyofmore.

NowyouknowthemanheisandhowmuchIloveandadmirehim,please provide for him as your generous nature and position permit.Whatismostimportantisthatyoushouldlikehim;forthoughyougranthimthehighestofficeinyourpower,youcouldgivehimnothingbetterthanyourfriendship.Itwastoshowyouthatheisworthyofitandevenofyour closest intimacy that Ihave thusbrieflydescribedhis interestsandcharacter,inshorthiswholelife.Iwouldprolongmyentreatiesdidyounotdislikelongbeggingletters,ofwhichIamafraidthisisone;fortobeeffectivearequestmustgiveitsreasons.

14.ToNovius(?)Maximus

Youarequiteright:casesattheCentumviralCourtaretakingupallmytime, and give me more work than pleasure. Most of them are pettyaffairsandthereisrarelyonewhichstandsoutfortheimportanceoftheissueorthecelebrityofthepersonsinvolved.Therearebesidesveryfewpeople with whom it is any pleasure to appear if you consider theimpudenceoftherest–mostlyunknownyoungsterswhohavearrivedinourmidst topractise rhetoric:which theydowith sucheffronteryandwant of consideration that I think our friendAtilius summed themupwell when he said that boys begin their career at the bar withCentumviralcasesjustastheystartonHomeratschool.Inbothplacestheyputthehardestfirst.Butbeforemytime(asoureldersalwayssay),believeme, there was no place here for a youngman, however well-born, unless a consular senator introducedhim; sohighlywas a nobleprofession respected. Today the bars of propriety and deference are

down, everything is open to all and sundry, and no introductions areneededforanyonetoburstin.

Audiences followwho are no better than the speakers, being hiredandbought for theoccasion.Theyparleywith thecontractor, take thegifts offered on the floor of the court as openly as they would at adinner-party, andmoveon fromcase to case for the same sortofpay.TheGreek name for themmeans ‘bravo-callers’ and the Latin ‘dinner-clappers’; witty enough, but both names expose a scandal whichincreases daily. Yesterday two ofmy attendants (whowould only justhave come of age if they were citizens) were induced to add their

applause for three denarii1 each. That is all it costs you to have youreloquence acclaimed. For this sum seats can be filled, any number ofthem, a huge crowd assembled, and endless cheering raisedwheneverthe chorus-master gives the signal. (A signal theremust be for peoplewhoneitherunderstandnorevenhear;mostof themdonot listenbutcheerasloudasanyone.)Ifyouhappentobepassingthecourtandwanttoknowaboutthespeakers,thereisnoneedtocomeontothebenchorpayattentiontotheproceedings;itiseasytoguess–themanwhoraisesmostcheersistheworstspeaker.

LarciusLicinuswasthefirsttointroducethiswayofgettingtogetheran audience, but hewent no further than sending invitations.At leastthat iswhat I rememberhearing frommy tutorQuintilian.Heused totellthisstory:‘IwasworkingunderDomitiusAfer,whowasaddressingthe Centumviri in his usual impressive and measured tones when heheard an extraordinary noise of loud shouting near by. He stoppedspeaking inamazement.Thensilencewas restoredandhe resumedhis

speechwhere he had broken off. Again the uproar, again he stopped,andwhen therewas silence began again. The same thing happened athird time, and at last he askedwhowas speaking. “Licinus,”was theanswer. At that he abandoned his case: “Gentlemen,” he said, “thismeans death to our profession.’” In fact it was only dying when Aferbelieveditdead;nowitsruinanddestructionarealmostcomplete.Iamashamedtodescribethespeechesoftoday,themincingaccentsinwhichthey are delivered, and the puerile applause they receive. That sort ofsing-song needs only the clapping and cymbals and tambourines ofCybele to complete it, for of howling (no otherword can express thisapplause which would be indecent even in the theatre) there is morethanenough.However,Istillstayon;butonlythroughmywishtobeofservicetomyfriendsandthethoughtthatifIleaveatmyageitmightlook like an escape from work rather than a withdrawal from thesedisgracefulscenes.Butmyappearancesarelessfrequentthantheyusedtobe,andthisisthefirststeptowardsagradualretirement.

15.ToJuliusValerianus

HowisyouroldMarsian1place?andthenewpurchase?Areyoupleasedwiththenewpropertynowthatitisyours?Itrarelyhappens-nothingisquitesoattractiveinourpossessionasitwaswhencoveted.Mymother’spropertyistreatingmebadly;stillIloveitforbeingmymother’s,and,besides, long sufferinghas toughenedme.Everlastingcomplaints cometoanendthroughtheshameofcomplainingfurther.

16.ToAnniusSeverus(?)

It is likeyoutobepunctiliousaboutremindingmethatthecodicil leftbyAcilianusmakingmeheirtopartofhispropertymustbeheldinvalidbecauseitsexistenceisnotconfirmedinhiswill;butevenIamawareofthis point of law,which people generally know even if they know noother.IhaveinfactlaiddownaprivatelawformyselfwherebyItreatthewishesofthedeceasedasformallyexpressedthoughtheymaynotbelegallybinding.ItisbeyonddoubtthatthiscodicilofAcilianusiswritteninhisownhand; therefore I intend tocarryout its instructionsas if itwasconfirmedinthewill,thoughinfactitisnot,especiallyasthereisnolongeranyriskofprosecution.For,ifIhadanyreasontofearthatagift I made from this bequest might be officially confiscated, I oughtperhaps topauseandactwithcaution;butanheir is freenowtogiveawaywhathascometohimbyinheritance.Thereisnothingtheninthelawsof the landinconflictwithmyprivate law,sonothingtopreventmyactingonit.

17.ToGallus

YoumaywonderwhymyLaurentineplace(ormyLaurentian,ifyoulikethatbetter) issucha joytome,butonceyourealizetheattractionsofthehouseitself,theamenitiesofitssituation,anditsextensivesea-front,youwillhaveyouranswer.ItisseventeenmilesfromRome,sothatitispossible to spend the night there after necessary business is done,without having cut short or hurried the day’s work, and it can beapproachedbymorethanoneroute; theroadstoLaurentumandOstiabothleadinthatdirection,butyoumustleavetheoneatthefourteenthmilestoneandtheotherattheeleventh.Whicheverwayyougo,theside

road you take is sandy for some distance and rather heavy and slow-going ifyoudrive,but softandeasilycoveredonhorseback.Theviewon either side is full of variety, for sometimes the road narrows as itpassesthroughthewoods,andthenitbroadensandopensoutthroughwidemeadowswheretherearemanyflocksofsheepandherdsofhorsesandcattledrivendownfromthemountains inwinter togrowsleekonthepasturesinthespringlikeclimate.

Thehouse1 is largeenoughformyneedsbutnotexpensive tokeepup. Itopens intoahall[A],unpretentiousbutnotwithoutdignity,andthentherearetwocolonnades,roundedliketheletterD,whichencloseasmallbutpleasantcourtyard[B].Thismakesasplendidretreatinbadweather,beingprotectedbywindowsandstillmorebytheoverhangingroof.Opposite themiddleof it is a cheerful innerhall [c], and thenadining-room [D] which really is rather fine: it runs out towards theshore,andwhenevertheseaisdriveninlandbythesouth-westwinditislightlywashedbythesprayofthespentbreakers.Ithasfoldingdoorsorwindowsaslargeasthedoorsallround,sothatatthefrontandsidesitseemstolookoutontothreeseas,andatthebackhasaviewthroughtheinnerhall,thecourtyardwiththetwocolonnades,andtheentrance-halltothewoodsandmountainsinthedistance.

To the left of this and a little farther back from the sea is a largebedroom[E],andthenanothersmallerone[F]whichletsinthemorningsunshinewith onewindow and holds the last rays of the evening sunwiththeother;fromthiswindowtooisaviewoftheseabeneath,thistimeatasafedistance.Intheangleofthisroomandthedining-roomisa cornerwhich retains and intensifies the concentratedwarmth of the

sun,andthisisthewinter-quartersandgymnasiumofmyhousehold[G]for no winds can be heard there except those which bring the rainclouds, and the place can still be used after the weather has broken.Roundthecornerisaroombuiltroundinanapsetoletinthesunasitmoves round and shines in each window in turn, and with one wallfittedwithshelveslikealibrarytoholdthebookswhichIreadandreadagain [H]. Next comes a bedroom [I] on the other side of a passagewhichhasafloorraisedandfittedwithpipestoreceivehotsteamandcirculateitataregulatedtemperature.Theremainingroomsonthissideofthehousearekeptfortheuseofmyslavesandfreedmen,butmostofthemarequitepresentableenoughtoreceiveguests[J].

On the other side of the dining-room is an elegantly decoratedbedroom [K], and then one which can either be a bedroom or amoderate-sized dining-room [L] and enjoys the bright light of the sunreflected from the sea; behind is another room with an antechamber,high enough to be cool in summer and a refuge in winter, for it isshelteredfromeverywind.Asimilarroomandantechamberaredividedoffbyasinglewall[M].Thencomesthecooling-roomofthebath,whichis large and spacious and has two curved baths built out of oppositewalls; these are quite large enough if you consider that the sea is sonear. Next come die oiling-room, the furnace-room, and theantechambertothebath,andthentworest-rooms,beautifullydecoratedinasimplestyle[N],leadingtotheheatedswimming-bath[O]whichismuchadmiredandfromwhichswimmerscanseethesea.Closebyistheball-court [P] which receives the full warmth of the setting sun. Herethereisasecondstorey,withtwoliving-roomsbelowandtwoabove,aswell as a dining-roomwhich commands thewhole expanse of sea and

stretchofshorewithall its lovelyhouses[Q].Elsewhereanotherupperstorey contains a roomwhich receivesboth the rising and setting sun,and a good-sized wine-store and granary behind, while below is adining-room[H]wherenothingisknownofahighseabutthesoundofthebreakers,andeventhatasadyingmurmur;itlooksontothegardenandtheencirclingdrive.

Allroundthedriverunsahedgeofbox,orrosemarytofillanygaps,forboxwill flourishextensivelywhere it is shelteredby thebuildings,butdriesupifexposedintheopentothewindandsaltsprayevenatadistance. Inside the inner ring of the drive is a young and shady vinepergola[S],wherethesoilissoftandyieldingeventothebarefootThegardenitselfisthicklyplantedwithmulberriesandfigs,treeswhichthesoil bears very well though it is less kind to others. On this side thedining-roomaway fromthe seahasaviewas lovelyas thatof the seaitself,whilefromthewindowsofthetworoomsbehind[T]canbeseentheentrancetothehouseandanotherwell-stockedkitchengarden[U].

Herebeginsacoveredarcade[V]nearlyaslargeasapublicbuilding.Ithaswindowsonbothsides,butmorefacingthesea,asthereisoneineachalternatebayonthegardenside.Theseallstandopenonafineandwindlessday, and in stormyweather can safelybeopenedon the sideawayfromthewind.Infrontisaterrace[W]scentedwithviolets.Asthesunbeatsdown,thearcadeincreasesitsheatbyreflectionandnotonlyretains thesunbutkeepsoff thenorth-eastwindso that it isashot infrontasitiscoolbehind.Inthesamewayitchecksthesouth-westwind,thusbreakingdieforceofwindsfromwhollyoppositequartersbyoneortheotherofitssides;itispleasantinwinterbutstillmoresoinsummer

when the terrace iskeptcool in themorningand thedriveandnearerpartofthegardenintheafternoon,asitsshadowfallsshorterorlongerononesideortheotherwhilethedayadvancesordeclines.Insidethearcade,ofcourse,thereis leastsunshinewhenthesunisblazingdownonitsroof,andasitsopenwindowsallowthewesternbreezestoenterandcirculate,theatmosphereisneverheavywithstaleair.

Atthefarendoftheterrace,thearcadeandthegardenisasuiteofrooms[X]whicharereallyandtrulymyfavourites,forIhadthembuiltmyself.Hereisasun-parlourfacingtheterraceononeside,theseaontheother,andthesunonboth.Thereisalsoaroomwhichhasfoldingdoorsopeningon to thearcadeandawindow lookingouton the sea.Oppositetheinterveningwallisabeautifullydesignedalcovewhichcanbethrownintotheroombyfoldingbackitsglassdoorsandcurtains,orcutofffromitiftheyareclosed:itislargeenoughtoholdacouchandtwo arm-chairs, and has the sea at its foot, the neighbouring villasbehind,andthewoodsbeyond,viewswhichcanbeseenseparatelyfromitsmanywindowsorblendedintoone.Nexttoitisabedroomforuseatnightwhichneitherthevoicesofmyhousehold,diesea’smurmur,northenoiseofa stormcanpenetrate,anymore than the lightning’s flashand lightofdayunless theshuttersareopen.Thisprofoundpeaceandseclusionareduetothedividingpassagewhichrunsbetweentheroomandthegardensothatanynoiseislostintheinterveningspace.Atinyfurnace-room is built on here, and by a narrow outlet retains orcirculates theheatunderneathas required.Then there isanante-roomandasecondbedroom,builtout to face thesunandcatch its rays themomentitrises,andretainthemuntilaftermidday,thoughbythenatan angle.When I retire to this suite I feel as if I have left my house

altogether and much enjoy the sensation: especially during the

Saturnalia1when the restof the roof resoundswith festivecries in theholiday freedom, for I amnotdisturbingmyhousehold’smerrymakingnortheymywork.

Onlyonethingisneededtocompletetheamenitiesandbeautyofthehouse–runningwater;buttherearewells,orrathersprings,fortheyarevery near the surface. It is in fact a remarkable characteristic of thisshorethatwhereveryoudigyoucomeuponwateratoncewhichispureand not in the least brackish, although the sea is so near. Thewoodsclosebyprovideplentyof firewood,and the townofOstia suppliesuswitheverythingelse.Thereisalsoavillage,justbeyondthenexthouse,whichcansatisfyanyone’smodestneeds,andheretherearethreebathsfor hire, a great convenience if a sudden arrival or too short a staymakes us reluctant to heat up the bath at home. The sea-front gainsmuchfromthepleasingvarietyofthehousesbuilteitheringroupsorfarapart;fromtheseaorshoretheselooklikeanumberofcities.Thesandontheshoreissometimestoosoftforwalkingafteralongspelloffineweather,butmoreoften it ishardenedby theconstantwashingof thewaves. The sea has admittedly few fish of any value, but it gives usexcellent soles and prawns, and all inland produce is provided by thehouse, especially milk: for the herds collect there from the pastureswhenevertheyseekwaterandshade.

AndnowdoyouthinkIhaveagoodcaseformakingthisretreatmyhauntandhomewhere I love tobe?Youare toopolitea townsman ifyoudon’tcovetit!ButIhopeyouwill,forthenthemanyattractionsofmy treasured housewill have another strong recommendation in your

company.

18.ToJuniusMauricus

ThereisnothingyoucouldaskmetodowhichIshouldlikebetterthantolookforatutorforyourbrother’schildren.ThankstoyouIhavegoneback toschoolandamreliving thehappiestdaysofmy life. I takemyseatamongtheyoungmenasIdidinmyyouth;Iamevenfindinghowmuch consideration my own work has brought me from the youngergeneration.Onlytheotherday,inafulllecture-room,theywerejokingamongstthemselvesinthepresenceofseveralsenators.ThenIcameinand therewas silence. I onlymention this because it reflectsmore ontheircreditthanonmine,andIwantyoutofeelconfidentthatthereisnoreasonwhyyournephewsshouldnotbewell-behavedstudents.

It remains forme towriteandgiveyoumyopiniononeachof thelecturerswhenIhaveheardthemall,and,asfarasalettercan,tomakeyoufeelyouhaveheardthemyourself.Allmyloyaltyanddevotionareyourstocommandintheserviceofyourbrother’smemory,especiallyinadecisionofsuchimportance;fornothingcouldbeofgraverconcerntoyouboththanthatthesechildren(Ishouldcallthemyourchildren,didyounotalreadylovethemmorethanyourown)shouldbefoundworthyof the fatherhewasandtheuncleyouare to themnow. It isaduty Ishouldhaveclaimedmyself,hadyounotentrustedittome.Iknowverywelltheriskofgivingoffenceinchoosingatutor,butthatImustaccept–andalsothepossibilityofmakingenemiesformyself-onbehalfofyourbrother’schildrenascheerfullyasparentsdofortheirown.

19.ToTuccius(?)Cerialis

Youurgemetogiveareadingofmyspeechtoagroupoffriends.Iwillsince you ask it, but with many misgivings. I know very well thatspeecheswhenreadlosealltheirwarmthandspirit,almosttheirentirecharacter,sincetheirfireisalwaysfedfromtheatmosphereofcourt:thebench of magistrates and throng of advocates, the suspense of theawaited verdict, reputation of the different speakers, and the dividedenthusiasm of the public; and they gain too from the gestures of thespeaker as he strides to and fro, the movements of his bodycorrespondingtohischangingpassions.(Hencethelosstoanyonewhodelivers his speech sitting down – he is at a real disadvantage by themere factofbeingseated, thoughhemaybeasgiftedgenerallyas thespeakerswhostand.)Moreover,amanwhoisgivingareadinghasthetwochiefaidstohisdelivery(eyesandhands)takenupwithhistext,soitisnotsurprisingiftheattentionofhisaudiencewaverswhenthereisnoadventitiousattractiontoholditnorstimulustokeepitaroused.

Furthermore,thisisafightingspeech,disputatiousifyoulike,anditisbesidesnatural forustothinkthatwhatwefoundanefforttowritewillalsodemandaneffortonthepartofourhearers.Therearecertainlyvery fewmembers of an audience sufficiently trained to prefer a stiff,close-knitargumenttofine-soundingwords.Suchadisparityshocks,butitexists:foringeneralabenchofmagistratesandanaudiencehaveverydifferentdemands,thoughalistenershouldreallybeinfluencedmostbywhatwouldconvincehimifhewerecalledontopronouncejudgement.However,itmaybethatinspiteofthesedifficultiesthespeechyouhaveinmindwillgainfromitsnovelty–atanyrateinourowncountry,for

theGreekshaveasomewhatsimilarpractice,thoughwiththeopposite

intent. To demonstrate that a lawwas contrary to previous legislationtheirmethodof proofwasby comparisonwithother laws; so to showthatmyaccusationwascoveredbythelawdealingwiththeextortionofmoneyIhadtobasemyargumentontheanalogyofotherlawsaswell.Thiscannothaveanyappealfortheordinaryman,butitsinterestfortheprofessional shouldbeproportionatelygreater for the lackof it for thelayman.It iscertainlymyintention, if Iagreetothisreading,to inviteallthelegalexperts.

ButnowthinkcarefullywhetherIoughttogiveoneatall.SetoutonbothsidesalltheargumentsIhaveputforward,andmakeyourdecisionwithgoodreason.Youaretheonewhowillhavetoproducethereason:Ihaveanexcusebycomplyingwithyourwishes.

20.ToCalvisiusRufus

Haveyourcopperreadyandhearafirst-ratestory,orratherstories,forthenewonehasremindedmeofothersanditdoesn’tmatterwhichItellfirst.Piso’swidowVeraniawaslyingseriouslyill–ImeanthePisoGalbaadopted. Along comes Regulus. What impudence – to intrude on hersicknesswhenhehadbeenherhusband’sdeadlyenemyandshehatedthesightofhim!Thevisitaloneisbadenough,buthesitsdownbyherbedandasksherthedayandhourofherbirth;afterwhichheputsonagravelookandafixedstare,moveshislips,workshisfingers,anddoessums.Thensilence.Afterkeepingthepoorwomaninsuspenseforalongtime,he speaks: ‘Youaregoing throughadangerperiod,outofwhichyou will pass. However, to rid you of any doubts, I will consult a

soothsayerwithwhomIhaveoftenhaddealings.’Withoutdelayhethenperforms a sacrifice and declares that the entrails accord with theplanetary signs. Feeling her life in danger, Verania is ready to believehim;sheasksforacodiciltobeaddedtoherwillandputsRegulusdownfor a legacy. Subsequently she growsworse and dies, calling aloud onthewickedness and treachery, theworse thanperjuryof themanwhoswore her a false oath on the life of his son. This is the kind ofscandalousthingRegulusisalwaysdoing,callingdownthewrathofthegods(whichhealwaysmanagestoescapehimself)ontotheheadofhisunfortunateboy.

VelleiusBlaesus iswell knownas an ex-consul and a richman.Hewished to alter hiswill on his death-bed, andReguluswas hoping forsomethingfromthenewoneashehadjustbeguncourtingBlaesus.Hethereforebegsandimploresthedoctorstoprolongtheman’slifeinsomeway.Once thewill is signed there is a change of front, and the samedoctorsareattackedtoknowhowlongthey intendto torture thepoormanandwhytheygrudgehimaneasydeathwhentheycannotgivehimlife. Blaesus dies; hemight have heard thewhole story, for he leavesRegulusnothing.

Aretwostoriesenough,ordoyouwantanotheraccordingtotheruleofthree?Therearemoretocome.ThenobleladyAureliahaddressedinherbestfortheceremonyofsigningherwill.WhenRegulusarrivedtowitnesshersignature,heaskedhertoleavetheseclothestohim.Aureliathoughthewasjoking,buthepressedthepointinallseriousness,andtocutalongstoryshort,heforcedhertoopenthewillandleavehimwhatshewaswearing;hewatchedherwritingand looked to see if shehad

doneso.Aureliaisinfeetalivetoday,butheforcedthisonherasifshewereonthepointofdeath.Andthisisthemanwhoacceptsestatesandlegaciesasiftheywerehisdue.

‘ButwhydoIrousemyself’1overthis,whenIliveinacountrywhichhas longoffered the same (or evengreater) rewards todishonestyandwickedness as it does to honour andmerit? Look atRegulus,whohasrisenbyhisevilways frompovertyandobscurity tosuchgreatwealththathetoldmehimselfwhenhewastryingtodivinehowsoonhewouldbeworth sixtymillion sesterces he had found a double set of entrailswhichwereasignthathewouldhavetwicethatsum.Sohewill,too,ifhegoesoninthewayhehasbegun,dictatingwillswhicharenottheirown to the very people who are wanting to make them: the mostimmoralkindoffraudthereis.

BOOKTHREE

1.ToCalvisiusRufus

I can’t remember ever passing the time so pleasantly as I did on myrecent visit to Spurinna; and, indeed, there is no one whom I wouldrathertakeforanexampleinmyoldage,ifIamsparedtolivesolong,for no way of living is better planned than his. A well-ordered life,especiallywhere theoldareconcerned,givesme the samepleasureasthe fixed course of the planets. A certain amount of irregularity andexcitementisnotunsuitablefortheyoung,buttheireldersshouldleadaquiet and orderly existence; their time of public activity is over, andambitiononlybringsthemintodisrepute.

ThisistherulestrictlyobservedbySpurinna,andheevenmaintainsadueorderandsuccessioninmatterswhichwouldbetrivialweretheynotpartofadaily routine.Everymorninghe stays inbed foranhourafter dawn, then calls for his shoes and takes a three-mile walk toexercise mind and body. If he has friends with him he carries on aserious conversation, if he is alone a book is read aloud, and this issometimesdonewhentherearefriendspresent,so longastheydonotobject. Then he sits down, the book is continued, or preferably theconversation;afterwhichhegoesoutinhiscarriageaccompaniedbyhis

wife(amodeltohersex)oroneofhisfriends,apleasurerecentlymine.Thereisaspecialsortofpleasureinbeingthussingledoutandgiventheentryintoabygoneageashetalksofgreatmenandtheirdeedstogiveyou inspiration, thoughmodesty restrainshim fromanyappearanceoflayingdownthelaw.Afteradriveofsevenmileshewillwalkanothermile, then sit again or retire to his room and his writing, for hecomposeslyricversesinbothGreekandLatinwithconsiderablesuccess;theyareremarkablefortheirwit,grace,anddelicacy,andtheircharmisenhancedbytheproprietyoftheirauthor.Whensummonedtohisbath(in mid-afternoon in winter and an hour earlier in summer) he firstremoveshisclothesandtakesawalkinthesunshineifthereisnowind,andthenthrowsaballbrisklyforsometime,thisbeinganotherformofexercisewherebyhekeepsoldageatbay.Afterhisbathheliesdownforashortrestbeforedinner,andlistenswhilesomethinglightandsoothingisreadaloud.Meanwhilehisfriendsarequitefreetodothesameashedoes or not, as they prefer. Dinner is brought on in dishes of antiquesolidsilver,asimplemealbutwellserved;healsohasCorinthianbronzeforgeneraluse,whichheadmiresthoughnotwithacollector’spassion.Betweenthecoursesthereisoftenaperformanceofcomedy,sothatthepleasures of the table have a seasoning of letters, and the meal isprolongedintothenight,eveninsummer,withoutanyonefindingittoolongamidsuchpleasantcompany.

Theresult is thatSpurinnahaspassedhisseventy-seventhyear,buthis sight and hearing are unimpaired, and he is physically agile andenergetic;oldagehasbroughthimnothingbutwisdom.Thisisthesortof life Ihopeandpraywillbemine,and I shall eagerlyenteron itassoon as the thought of my years permits me to sound a retreat.

Meanwhileinnumerabletasksfillmytime,thoughhereagainSpurinnasetsmea reassuring example, forhe also acceptedpublic offices, heldmagistracies,andgovernedprovincesaslongasitwashisduty,andthushispresent retirementwasearnedbyhardwork. Ihave setmyself thesameraceandgoal,andIbindmyselftoitnowwithyouasmywitness:so,ifyouseemefailtostop,youcancallmetoaccountwiththisletterofmine andbidme retirewhen I cando sowithout being accusedoflaziness.

2.ToVibiusMaximus

IhopeIamjustifiedinaskingyoutodothesortoffavourtooneofmyfriends which I should certainly have done for yours had I the same

opportunity. Maturus Arrianus is the leading citizen of Altinum,1 andwhenIsaythisIamnotreferringtohiswealth,whichisconsiderable,buttohisvirtueandjustice,hissenseofresponsibilityandwisdom.HisistheadviceIfollowinbusiness,andhistheopinionIseekonliterarytopics, for he is a man of exceptional sincerity, integrity andunderstanding.Helovesmeasdearlyasyoudo–Icansaynomore.

He is incapableofpushinghimself forward,and for this reasonhasremainedamemberoftheorderofknights,thoughhecouldeasilyhaverisen to the highest rank.However, I feel it ismy duty to obtain himpromotion and advancement, and so I am anxious to improve hispositioninsomeway,thoughheneitherexpectsnorknowsofthis,andmayperhapsnotwishit;butitmustbeadistinctionwhichhewillnotfindaburden.Pleasegranthimsomethingof thiskindatyourearliestopportunity. I shallbeexceedinglygrateful toyou,andsowillhe, for,

thoughhewouldnotapproachyouforthishimself,hewillreceiveitasgratefullyasifhehadsethisheartonit.

3.ToCorelliaHispulla

Myloveandadmiration(Ican’tsaywhichcomesfirst)foryourfather’snoble sense of duty and high principles are matched by my specialaffectionforyourselfonyourownaccountaswellasforhissake;andso

I must desire your son to take after his grandfather,1 and will makeevery effort I can to ensure this. I shouldpreferhim to resembleyourownfather,althoughonhisfather’sside,too,fortunehasgrantedhimagrandfatherwhoisadmiredandrespected,andafatherandunclewhosedistinguished reputations arewell known. Hewill grow up to be hirethemonlyifhehasbeeneducatedfromthestartontheproperlines,andthus it ismost important for him to have the right teacher.Up to thepresenthehasbeentooyoungtoleaveyourside,andhashadteachersathomewherethereislittleornoopportunityforgoingastray.Nowhisstudiesmustbe carried farther afield, andwemust look for a tutor inLatin rhetoricwhose school shall combine a strict training alongwithgoodmannersand,aboveall,moralstandards;for,asourboyhappenstobeendowedwithstrikingphysicalbeautyamongsthisnaturalgifts,atthisdangeroustimeoflifeheneedsmorethanateacher.Aguardianandmentormustbefound.

I think then that I cannotdobetter than todrawyour attention toJulius Genitor. The affection I have for him has not blinded myjudgement,asitisinfactbasedonit.Heisamanofseriouscharacter,quitefreefromfaults:indeedalittletoobluntandaustereforthelicence

ofourtimes.Onthesubjectofhiseloquenceyouhavemanywitnessesyoumaytrust,forabilityinspeakingisobviousandreadilyrecognizedwhenever it is displayed; whereas there are many deep secrets andhidden places in a man’s personal life. You may rest assured that Ianswer for these onGenitor’s behalf. Your sonwill hear nothing fromhimbutwhatwillbenefithim,willlearnnothingthatwouldhavebeenbetter leftunknown.Genitorwill remindhimasoftenaswedoofhisobligations to his forbears and the great names he must carry on. Sowiththegods’goodwillyoumayentrusthimtoateacherfromwhomhewilllearnrightprinciplesofconductbeforehestudieseloquence–forwithoutprinciplesthiscannotbeproperlylearnedatall.

4.ToCaeciliusMacrinus

Public opinion and the friends who were with me at the time haveapparently approved ofmy conduct, but even so I verymuchwant toknowwhatyouthink,fortheopinionofsomeonewhoseadviceIshouldhavelikedtoaskbeforemakingmydecisionisstillofgreatimportancetomenowthatthematterissettled.

I had obtained leave of absence frommy post in the Treasury and

hurriedouttomyplaceinTuscany1inordertolaythefoundationstoneof a templewhichwas to bebuilt atmy expense; at thatmoment therepresentatives of the province of Baetica (who had come to lodge acomplaintagainsttheconductoftheirlategovernor,CaeciliusClassicus)applied to the Senate for my services as their counsel. My Treasurycolleagues,thebestofmenandmostloyaloffriends,triedtobegmeoffandexcusemebypleadingtheofficialdutiesweshare.TheSenatethen

passed the resolution – highly complimentary tome -thatmy servicesshouldbegrantedtheprovinceprovidedthatIexpressedmywillingnessin person. The representativeswere brought in again, this time inmypresence, and made their request a second time, appealing to myprofessional honour which they had experienced in the case against

BaebiusMassa,2 andpleading that theyhad a claimonmypatronage.There followed the open acclamation which usually indicates that aresolutionisgoingtobepassed;afterwhichIbeggedleavetowithdrawmyopinion that I had given just reason for excusingmyself. Thiswasreceivedwithgeneralapproval,bothforthemeaningofmywordsandthemodestywhichpromptedthem.

Iwasinfartimpelledtotakethiscoursenotonlybytheunanimousfeeling in the Senate,much though that influencedme, but by certainlesser considerations which could not be ignored. I recalled how ourfathers neededno official direction to instigate prosecutions to avengethe wrongs of individual foreigners; which made it all the moredisgracefultoneglecttherightsofawholepeoplewithwhomIhadtiesofhospitality.Besides,whenIrememberedthedangersIhadfacedwhenacting for the Baetici on an earner occasion, I felt that I ought tomaintainmy creditwith them formy former service by adding a newone. It is generally agreed that past benefits cease to count unlessconfirmedbylaterones;for,ifasinglethingisdeniedpeoplewhohaveeveryreasontobegrateful,thedenialisalltheyremember.

An additional influence was the fact that Classicus was now dead,which removed the most painful feature in this type of case – thedownfallofasenator.IsawthenthatIshouldwinthesamegratitudefor

taking on the case as if he were alive, but without incurring ill-will.Finally I calculated that, if Idischarged thisduty for the third time, itwould be easier forme to excusemyself if later faced by a defendantwhom I felt I ought not to prosecute.All duties have their limits, andpermissiontobefreedfromthemisbestgainedbypreviouscompliance.These thenare the reasons formydecision; it remains for you togiveyouropiniononewayortheother,bearinginmindthatyouwillpleaseme just as much by frankness if you disapprove as by yourencouragementifIhaveyoursupport.

5.ToBaebiusMacer

I am delighted to hear that your close study ofmy uncle’s books hasmadeyouwishtopossessthemall.Sinceyouaskmeforacompletelist,Iwillprovideabibliography,andarrangeitinchronologicalorder,forthisisthesortofinformationalsolikelytopleasescholars.

ThrowingtheJavelinfromHorseback–onevolume;aworkofindustryandtalent,writtenwhenhewasajuniorofficerinthecavalry.

TheLifeofPomponiusSecundus1–twovolumes.Myunclewasgreatlylovedbyhimandfeltheowedthishomagetohisfriend’smemory.

TheGermanWars – twentyvolumes, coveringall thewarswehaveeverhadwiththeGermans.HebeganthisduringhismilitaryserviceinGermany,astheresultofadream;inhissleephesawstandingoverhimtheghostofDrususNero,whohadtriumphedfarandwideinGermanyanddied there.Hecommittedhismemory tomyuncle’s care,begginghimtosavehimfromtheinjusticeofoblivion.

TheScholar – threevolumesdivided into six sectionsonaccountoftheirlength,inwhichhetrainstheoratorfromhiscradleandbringshimtoperfection.

ProblemsinGrammar–eightvolumes;thishewroteduringNero’slastyearswhentheslaveryofthetimesmadeitdangeroustowriteanythingatallindependentorinspired.

AContinuationoftheHistoryofAufidiusBassus–thirty-onevolumes.

A Natural History – thirty-seven volumes, a learned andcomprehensiveworkasfullofvarietyasnatureitself.

You may wonder how such a busy man was able to complete somanyvolumes,manyoftheminvolvingdetailedstudy;andwonderstillmorewhenyou learn thatup to a certain agehepractisedat thebar,thathediedattheageoffifty-five,andthroughouttheinterveningyearshistimewasmuchtakenupwiththeimportantofficesheheldandhisfriendshipwith the Emperors. But he combined a penetrating intellectwithamazingpowersofconcentrationandthecapacitytomanagewiththeminimumofsleep.

From the feastofVulcan1 onwardshebegan toworkby lamplight,notwithanyideaofmakingapropitiousstartbuttogivehimselfmoretimeforstudy,andwouldrisehalf-waythroughthenight; inwinter itwould often be at midnight or an hour later, and two at the latest.Admittedlyhefellasleepveryeasily,andwouldoftendozeandwakeupagain during his work. Before daybreak he would visit the EmperorVespasian (whoalsomadeuseofhisnights)and thengo toattendhisofficial duties. On returning home, he devoted any spare time to hiswork.After something toeat (hismealsduring thedaywere lightand

simpleintheold-fashionedway),insummerwhenhewasnottoobusyhewouldoftenlieinthesun,andabookwasreadaloudwhilehemadenotesandextracts.Hemadeextractsofeverythingheread,andalwayssaidthattherewasnobooksobadthatsomegoodcouldnotbegotoutofit.Afterhisrestinthesunhegenerallytookacoldbath,andthenatesomethingandhadashortsleep;afterwhichheworkedtilldinnertimeas if he had started on a newday.A bookwas read aloudduring themealandhetookrapidnotes.Irememberthatoneofhisfriendstoldareader togobackand repeatawordhehadmispronounced. ‘Couldn’tyouunderstandhim?’saidmyuncle.Hisfriendadmittedthathecould.‘Thenwhymakehimgoback?Yourinterruptionhaslostusatleasttenlines.’ To such lengths did he carry his passion for saving time. Insummerherosefromdinnerwhileitwasstilllight,inwinterassoonasdarknessfell,asifsomelawcompelledhim.

Thiswashisroutineinthemidstofhispublicdutiesandthebustleofthecity.Inthecountry,theonlytimehetookfromhisworkwasforhisbath,andbybathImeanhisactualimmersion,forwhilehewasbeingrubbed down and dried he had a book read to him or dictated notes.When travelling he felt free from other responsibilities to give everyminutetowork;hekeptasecretaryathissidewithbookandnotebook,andinwintersawthathishandswereprotectedbylongsleeves,sothatevenbitterweathershouldnotrobhimofaworkinghour.Forthesamereason,too,heusedtobecarriedaboutRomeinachair.Icanrememberhow he scolded me for walking; according to him I need not havewasted those hours, for he thought any time wasted which was notdevotedtowork.Itwasthisapplicationwhichenabledhimtofinishallthose volumes, and to leave me 160 notebooks of selected passages,

writteninaminutehandonbothsidesofthepage,sothattheirnumberisreallydoubled.Heusedtosaythatwhenhewasservingasprocuratorin Spain he could have sold these notebooks to Larcius Licinus for400,000sesterces,andtherewerefarfewerofthemthen.

WhenyouconsidertheextentofhisreadingandwritingIwonderifyoufeelthathecouldneverhavebeenapublicofficialnorafriendofthe Emperor, but on the other hand, now that you know of hisapplication, that he should have achieved more? In fact his officialdutiesputeverypossibleobstacleinhispath;andyettherewasnothingwhich his energy could not surmount. So I cannot help smiling whenanyonecallsmestudious,forcomparedwithhimIamtheidlestofmen.Andyetperhaps Iamnot,seeingthatsomuchofmytimeis takenupwithofficialworkandservice tomy friends.Anyoneofyour life-longdevotees of literature, if put alongside my uncle, would blush to feelthemselvesthusenslavedtosleepandidleness.

Ihave letmy letter runon, though I intendedonly toansweryourquestion about the books left by my uncle. However, I feel sure thatreadingthesedetailswillgiveyouasmuchpleasureastheactualbooks,and may even spur you on to the ambition of doing more than readthem,ifyoucanproducesomethingsimilaryourself.

6.ToAnniusSeverus

OutofasumofmoneyIhaveinheritedIhavejustboughtaCorinthianbronzestatue,onlyasmallone,butanattractiveandfinishedpieceofworkasfarasIcanjudge–thoughingeneralmyjudgementislimited,andcertainlyverymuchsohere.ButthisisastatusthatIfeelevenIcan

appreciate,forbeingnudeitdoesnothideanydefectsitmayhavenorfailtorevealitsmerits.Itrepresentsastandingfigureofanoldman;thebones,muscles, sinews, andveins and even thewrinkles are clear andlifelike, the hair is sparse and receding from a broad brow, its face islined and neck thin, and it has drooping shoulders, a flat chest andhollow stomach. The back view, within its limits, gives the sameimpression of age. The bronze appears to have the true colour of agenuineantique;infacteverydetailissuchastoholdtheattentionofanartistaswellasdelighttheamateur,andthatiswhatpersuadedmetobuyit,novicethoughIam.

However,my intentionwasnot tokeep it inmyhouse (IhavenotanyCorinthianbronzesthereyet)buttoplaceitinsomepublicpositioninmynativetown,preferablyinthetempleofJupiter;itisclearlyagiftwellworthyofatempleandagod.Willyouthencarryoutacommissionformeasyoualwaysdo,andgiveimmediateordersforapedestaltobemade? Choose what marble you like, and have it inscribed with mynameandofficialtitlesifyouthinktheyshouldappeartoo.Iwillsendyou the statue as soon as I can find someone who will not find it atrouble,orIwillbringitmyself,whichyouwilllikebetter,forIhaveitinmindtopayyouavisitifmyofficialdutiespermit.YoursmileatthispromisetocomewillchangetoafrownwhenIaddthatitwillonlybeforafewdays;theworkwhichisstillkeepingmeherewillnotletmebeawayforlonger.

7.ToCaniniusRufus

ThenewshasjustcomethatSiliusItalicushasstarvedhimselftodeath

inhishousenearNaples.Ill-healthwasthereason,forhehaddevelopedan incurable tumourwhichwore him down until he formed the fixedresolve to escape by dying; though he had been fortunate in life andenjoyedhappinessuptotheendofhisdays,apartfromthelossoftheyounger of his two sons. The elder and more gifted he left wellestablished in his career and already of consular rank. Italicus haddamagedhisreputationunderNero–itwasbelievedthathehadofferedhisservicesasaninformer–buthehadmaintainedhisfriendshipwithVitelliuswithtactandwisdom,wonfameforhisconductasgovernorofAsia,andremovedthestigmaofhisformeractivitiesbyhishonourableretirement.Herankedasoneofour leadingcitizenswithoutexercisinginfluence or incurring ill-will; hewaswaited on and sought after, andspentmanyhoursonhiscouchinaroomthrongedwithcallerswhohadcomewith no thought of his rank; and so passed his days in culturedconversationwhenever he could spare time from his writing. He took

greatpainsoverhisverses,1thoughtheycannotbecalledinspired,andfrequently submitted them topublic criticismby the readingshegave.LatterlyhisincreasingageledtohisretirementfromRome;hemadehishomeinCampaniaandneverleftitagain,notevenonthearrivalofthenewEmperor:anincidentwhichreflectsgreatcreditontheEmperorforpermittingthis liberty,andonItalicus forventuringtoavailhimselfofit.Hewasagreatconnoisseur; indeedhewascriticized forbuyingtoomuch.Heownedseveralhousesinthesamedistrict,butlostinterestintheolderones inhis enthusiasm for the later. In eachof themhehadquantitiesofbooks,statues,andportraitbusts,andtheseweremoretohimthanpossessions–theybecameobjectsofhisdevotion,particularlyinthecaseofVirgil,whosebirthdayhecelebratedwithmoresolemnity

than his own, and at Naples especially, where he would visit Virgil’s

tombas if itwerea temple. In thispeaceful atmospherehecompletedhis seventy-fifth year, surrounded by attentions though not really aninvalid.HewasthelastconsultobeappointedbyNero,andthelasttodie of all the consuls Nero appointed; and also remarkable is the factthatnotonlydidthelastofNero’sconsulsdieinhimbutitwasduringhisconsulshipthatNeroperished.

Thethoughtofthisfillsmewithpityforhumanfrailty;nothingissoshort and fleeting as the longest of human lives. Itmust seem to youonly the other day that Nero died, yet not one of those who heldconsulships in his time is alive today. I suppose I should not find thisremarkablewhenonlyrecentlyLuciusPiso, fatherofthePisowhowassocriminallyputtodeathinAfricabyValeriusFestus,usedtosaythatnoneofthosehehadcalledontospeakwhenhewasconsulcouldstillbeseenintheSenate.Sonarrowarethelimitssettolife,eveninalargecommunity,thatitseemstomethatthePersiankingshouldbeforgiven,orevenadmiredforhisfamoustears;foritissaidthatafterXerxeshadreviewedhisvastarmy,hewept to thinkof theendawaitingsomany

thousandsinsoshortatime.1

All the more reason then why we should prolong all our passingmoments,uncertain thoughtheyare,notperhapsbyaction, sinceheretheopportunitynolongerrestswithus,butatanyratebyliterarywork.Sincewearedenieda long life, letus leavesomething tobearwitnessthat at least we have lived. I know you need no incentive, but myaffection promptsme to spur on awilling horse, as you do forme in

return. ‘Rivalry is good’2when friends stimulate eachother bymutual

encouragementtodesireimmortalfame.

8.ToSuetoniusTranquillus

Yougiveproofofyourhigh regard formeby thedelicacywithwhichyou frame your request that I should transfer to your, relativeCaesenniusSilvanusthemilitarytribunatewhichIobtainedforyoufromthedistinguishedsenatorNeratiusMarcellus.Formyself, I shouldhavebeen delighted to see you as tribune, but I shall be equally pleased ifSilvanus owes his office to you. If one has thought a man worthy ofpromotionit is, Ithink,illogicaltobegrudgehimtherighttoshowhisfamily feeling,seeingthat thisdoeshimmorehonour thananyofficialtide. I see too thatas theperformanceof services isas laudableas thedeservingofthem,youwillwinpraiseonbothaccountsifyougiveuptosomeoneelsewhatyoumeritedyourself,andIrealizethatsomecreditwillbereflectedonme,too,ifasaresultofyouractionitisknownthatmyfriendsarefreeeithertoholdtheofficeoftribunethemselvesortogive it away. Your wish is thus excellent in every way and shall begranted.Yournameisnotyetenteredonthelists,soitiseasyformetosubstitutethatofSilvanus;andIhopethatyourservicewillpleasehimasmuchasminepleasesyou.

9.ToCorneliusMinicianus

AtlastIcangiveyouafullaccountofallthetroubleIhavehadoverthepublic action brought by the province of Baetica, a most complicatedcasewhich after several hearings ended in a variety of sentences: the

reasonforwhichyoushallhear.

Caecilius Classicus had been governor of Baetica in the same yearthat Marius Priscus was in Africa. His rapacity during this time wasmatchedbyhisbrutality,forhewasascoundrelwhomadenosecretofhis evil ways. It so happened that Priscus came from Baetica andClassicus from Africa; hence the joke current among the Baetici (forexasperation often breaks out into wit) – ‘I got as bad as I gave’.However,Priscuswasbroughttotrialbyasinglecityalongwithseveralprivate individuals, whereas Classicus was attacked by the entireprovince.He forestalled the trialbyhisdeath,whichmighthavebeenaccidental or self-inflicted; there was much general suspicion but nodefiniteproof,for,thoughitseemedlikelythatheintendedtodiesincehecouldnotdefendhimself,itissurprisingthatheshouldhavediedtoescapetheshameofcondemnationfordeedswhichhewasnotashamedto do. Nevertheless, the Baetici continued with their action after hisdeath. (This was legally permissible, but the practice had lapsed, andwas revived on this occasion after a long interval.) In addition toClassicus, they extended their charges to his friends and accomplices,demandinganindividualinvestigationineachcase.

I appeared for the Baetici, supported by Lucceius Albinus, a fluentandelegantoratorwhomIhavelongadmired;sinceourassociationonthisoccasionIhavecometofeelawarmaffectionforhim.Thewilltosucceedimpliessomereluctancetosharesuccess,andespeciallywhereforensicoratory is concerned;but inourcase therewasno rivalrynorcompetition. We both put the needs of the case before personalconsiderations ina combinedeffort, forwe felt that the importanceof

the issue and its outcome demanded that we did not assume suchresponsibilityinasinglespeechfromeachofus.Itlookedasthoughweshouldrunshortoftimeandloseourbreathandvoiceifwedealtwithso many accusations and defendants collectively, and then the largenumber of names and charges might exhaust the attention of themagistrates and possibly leave them in confusion. Moreover, thecombinedinfluenceoftheindividualsconcernedmightprocureforeachthe effect of the whole, and, finally, the influential might makescapegoatsofthehumble,andsoescapeattheirexpense.(Privilegeandself-interest are most likely to triumph when they can be concealedbehind a mask of severity.) We also had in mind the well-known

exampleofSertorius,1whenhesetthestrongestandtheweakestofhissoldierstopulloffthehorse’stail-youknowtherestofthestory–andconcludedthatwetoocoulddealwiththelargenumberofdefendantsifwetookthemonebyone.

WedecidedthatthefirstessentialwastoproveClassicusguilty;thiswouldgiveusthebestapproachtohisalliesandaccomplices,whocouldnotbeconvictedunlesshewas.WecoupledtwoofthemwithClassicusfrom the start, Baebius Probus and Fabius Hispanus, both formidableopponents through their influence, and Hispanus also for his fluenttongue.ItwaseasytomakeshortworkofClassicus.Hehadleftaccountsinhisownhandofhis receipts foreverybusinessdealandcourtcase,andhehadevensentabragginglettertohismistressinRome(thesearehisactualwords):‘Hurrah,hurrah,I’mcomingtoyouafreeman–I’vesolduphalftheBaeticiandraisedfourmillion!’

OverHispanusandProbuswehadtosweat.BeforeIdealtwiththe

chargesagainstthemIbelieveditwasessentialtoestablishthefactthatthecarryingoutoforderswasachargeableoffence;otherwiseitwouldhavebeenuselesstoprovetheyhaddoneso.Theirdefencewasinfartnot to deny the charge, but to plead compulsion, saying that asprovincials they were terrorized into carrying out any order of thegovernor.ClaudiusRestitutus,whorepliedforthedefence,isapractisedspeakerwhoisalertandreadyforanythingunexpected,buthenowsaysthathenever felt sodumbfoundedandbewilderedaswhenhesawallthepointshewasmost relyingon forhisdefenceanticipatedand tornout of his grasp. The result of our policywas that the Senate decreedthat all possessions owned by Classicus before his provincialappointment should be set aside and given to his daughter, that theremainder be handed over to the people he had robbed, and, further,thatthemoneyhehadpaidtohiscreditorsshouldberecalled,Hispanusand Probuswere banished for five years, so serious did their conductnowseem,thoughatfirstithadbeendoubtfulwhetheritwasindictableatall.

A few days later we charged Claudius Fuscus, the son-in-law ofClassicus,andStiloniusPriscuswhohadservedunderhimastribuneofacohort,withvaryingsuccess:PriscuswasbanishedfromItalyfortwoyears,andFuscuswasacquitted.

At the thirdhearingwe thought itbest togroupseveraldefendantstogether, fearing that if the trialwere prolonged too far the presidingmagistrates would be bored and tired and consequently their strictadministrationofjusticewouldbegintoflag.Moreover,thereremainedonly people of less importance whom we had deliberately kept back

until then, apart from Classicus’s wife who was strongly suspected,thoughitdidnotlookasthoughtherewasproofenoughtoconvicther.Classicus’sdaughter,whohadalsobeenincludedinthecharge,emergedquitefreefromsuspicion.SowhenIreachedhernameattheendofmyspeech,astherewasnolongerthesamedangerofweakeningthewholecaseastherewasatthebeginning,Ifeltthattheonlyjustcoursewastorefrainfrompressingachargeagainstaninnocentperson:andIsaidsoopenlyinmanyways.Ifirstaskedtherepresentativesoftheprovinceifthey had instructed me to make any special charge which they wereconfidentcouldbesubstantiated,andthenIappealedtotheSenateforguidancewhetherIoughttodirectallmypowersoforatoryagainstaninnocentwoman,likeaknifeatherthroat.Finally,Ibroughtthewholesubjecttothisconclusion.‘IfIamaskedwhetherIamjudgingthiscase,myanswer isNo,but I cannot forget that I shouldhavebeenamongstthejudges,hadInotbeenchosentoconducttheprosecution.’

So ended these complicated proceedings; of the persons involved,some were acquitted, but the majority were convicted and banished,either for a fixedperiodor for life. In its decreepassing sentence, theSenate gave the fullest expression to its appreciation of Albinus andmyself,forourthoroughandscrupuloushandlingofthecaseandforourperseverance, the only just and adequate reward for our labours. Youcan imagine how tired we are after so much continuous speaking,debating and cross-examining of all the witnesses and supporting orrefuting their replies; and how difficult and unpleasant it has been tohavetosaynoto theconfidentialquestionsof the friendsof themanydefendants,and then tohave to face theiropenattacks incourt. Iwillquote one of the answers I gave when some of the magistrates were

protesting on behalf of a highly influential defendant: ‘His innocencewillnotbeaffectedifIamallowedtofinishmyspeech.’Fromthisyoucanguessattheoppositionandhostilityweincurred,thoughadmittedlynotforlong.Honestyoffendsthoseitthwartsforatime,butafterwardsthesearethepeoplefromwhomitwinsrespect.

Ican’tdomoretobringyoutothesceneofaction.Youmaysaythatthis is toomuch and that you never expected such a long letter -thendon’taskagainfornewsofwhatishappeninginRome,andrememberthat a letter cannot really be called longwhen it deals with somanydaysandinquiries,andall thedefendants involved insomanycases. IthinkmyselfthatIhavekeptmyaccountshortandaccurate–no,thatwasrash:IhavejustrememberedtoolatesomethingIleftout,andyoumusthaveitalthoughoutofplace.(ThisisoneofHomer’sdevices,andmanywritersimitatehim;itcanbeveryeffective,thoughthatwasnotmyownintention.)

Awitnesswhowaseitherannoyedatbeingcompelled toappear togiveevidence,orhadbeensubornedbyoneofthedefendantstodamagethe case, charged Norbanus Licinianus (one of the representatives ofBaeticawhohadbeencommissionedtocollectevidence)withcollusionin the caseagainstCasta, thewifeofClassicus. It is laiddownby lawthat the trial of an accused shall be concluded before a charge ofcollusionwithhisaccuserisinvestigated,doubtlessbecausethehonestyofthelattercanbestbejudgedfromhishandlingofthecase.However,Norbanusgainednoprotectionfromthislegalprovision,andnonefromhispositionasdelegatenorhiscommissiontopreparethecase;hewassweptawaybythegeneralindignationagainsthisothermisdemeanours

and the fact that like many others he had profited by the reign ofDomitian, and had in fact been chosen by his province to collectevidenceonthisoccasionnotforhishonestyandreliabilitybutforhishatred of Classicus (who had previously banished him). He asked fortimeandastatementof thechargesagainsthim,butbothhis requestswererefused.Hewasobligedtodefendhimselfonthespot,anddidsowith considerable promptitude, though the man’s thoroughly bad andworthlesscharactermakesmewonderwhetherhisreplyshowedcourageormerelyimpudence.Thereweremanyotherchargesagainsthimmoredamaging than that of collusion: indeed, two senators (the consularsPomponiusRufusandLiboFrugi)produced thedamningevidence thathe had appeared in court in Domitian’s time in support of theprosecutionof Salvius Liberalis.Hewas foundguilty and sentenced tobanishment on an island. In charging Casta, therefore, I particularlyemphasizedthecollusionforwhichheraccuserhadbeenconvicted,butwithoutsuccess.Onthecontrary,theresultwasquitewithoutprecedent– the defendant was acquitted although her accuser was convicted ofcollusionwithher.

You may be wondering what we were doing meanwhile. Weexplained to the Senate that, as it was from Norbanus that we hadreceived our instructions on behalf of the province, if he was foundguiltyofcollusionwemustbeginagainwithfreshones;sowhilehistrialwason,weremainedseated.AfterwardsNorbanusattendedeverydayofthetrialandkeptuphiscourage–orimpudence–totheend.

IamtryingtothinkwhetherIhaveleftanythingoutthistime,andagainInearlydid.OnthelastdaySalviusLiberalismadeaviolentattack

ontheremainingdelegatesfornothavingbroughttotrialallthepersonsaboutwhom their province had given them instructions, and, being aforceful and eloquent speaker, he put them in a perilous position. Iundertooktheirdefence,andfoundthemhonestmenandmostgratefultome; in fact they say theyowe their escape fromdisaster entirely tome.

This is the end of this letter, really the end – Iwon’t add anothersyllableevenifIthinkofsomethingelseIhaveforgotten.

10.ToVestriciusSpurinnaandCottia

Ididn’tmentionwhenIwaslastwithyouthatIhadwrittensomethingaboutyourson,because,inthefirstplace,Ihadnotwrittenitwiththeideaoftellingyou,buttogiveexpressiontomyownfeelingsofloveandgrief,andthenbecauseIknewfromwhatyouhadtoldmeyourselfthatyou, Spurinna, had heard that I had given a public reading, and Iassumedthatyouhadalsoheardwhatitssubjectwas.Iwasanxioustoonot toupset youduring anationalholidayby reviving thememoryofyourtragicloss.

Even now I am still in some doubt whether to send you only thepassagesIread,asyouask,ortoaddwhatIwasintendingtokeepbacktopresentonanotheroccasion.Asinglecompositionisquiteinadequateformysentiments,ifIamtodojusticetothememoryofoneIlovedandreveredsomuch,andhisfamewillbemorewidespreadifitispublishedabroadbydegrees.Butwhiledebatingwhether to showyouall Ihavewrittensofar,ortowithholdsomethinguntil later,Ihavecometoseethat honesty and friendship alike constrain me to send everything;

especiallyasyouassureme thatnothingshall leaveyourhandsuntil Ihavemadeupmymindaboutpublication.

Onethingremains:pleasebeequallyhonestabouttellingmeifyouthinkthereareanyadditions,alterations,oromissionstobemade.Itisdifficultforyoutoconcentrateonthisatatimeofsorrow,Iknow;but,nevertheless,ifasculptororpainterwereworkingonaportraitofyourson,youwouldindicatetohimwhatfeaturestobringoutorcorrect;andsoyoumustgivemeguidanceanddirectionasI,too,amtryingtocreatea likeness which shall not be short-lived and ephemeral, but one youthinkwilllastforever.Itismorelikelytobelong-livedthemoreIcanattaintotruthandbeautyandaccuracyindetail.

11.ToJuliusGenitor

The natural generosity of our friend Artemidorus always makes himenlargeonhisfriends’services,andsoheisspreadinganaccountofmymeritswhichisnotuntrue,butmorethanIdeserve.Itistruethat,when

the philosophers were expelled from Rome,1 I went to see him in hishouse outside the city, and as I was praetor at that time the visitinvolvedsomeriskfortheattentionitattracted.Hewasalsoinneedofaconsiderable sum at the time to pay off his debts contracted inhonourable causes; I raised the money and lent it to him withoutinterest,whencertainofhisrichandinfluential friendshesitatedtodoso.Ididthisatatimewhensevenofmyfriendshadbeenputtodeathorbanished–Senecio,Rusticus,andHelvidiusweredead,andMauricus,Gratilla, Arria, and Fannia were in exile – so that I stood amidst theflames of thunderbolts dropping all roundme, and therewere certain

clearindicationstomakemesupposealikeendwasawaitingme.

However, I do not believe I deserve the exaggerated reputation inthesematterswhichArtemidorusgivesme:Ihavenotdisgracedmyself,but that is all. For I greatlyadmiredhis father-in-lawGaiusMusonius,andlovedhimasmuchasourdifferenceinagepermitted;andwhenIwasservingasmilitarytribuneinSyriaIwasontermsofcloseintimacywithArtemidorushimself. In fact the firstsign IshowedofhavinganyjudgementwasthatapparentlyIappreciatedamanwhowasatruesage,or the nearest approach to one. Of all those who call themselvesphilosophers today, you will scarcely find one with his sincerity andintegrity. I am saying nothing about his physical endurance in winterandsummer,howheshrinks fromnohardshipandpermitshimselfnoindulgence in food and drink, nor licence in look or thought. All thismay be important in another person, but for him it means little incomparisonwithhisothervirtues;whichwonhimthehonourofbeingchosenbyGaiusMusonius from suitorsof every rank tobehis son-in-law.

AsIrecalltheseeventsIamindeedhappytothinkofthehightributehe paysme generally, and especially in your hearing, but at the sametimeIfearhemaygotoofar;for(toreturntothepointIstartedfrom)hisgenerosityputsnocheckonhim.Thisishisonlyfault,albeitagoodfault,inoneotherwisesowise:hehastoohighanopinionofhisfriends.

12.ToCatiliusSeverus

I will come to dinner, but only on condition that it is simple andinformal, rich only in Socratic conversation, though this too must be

keptwithinbounds; for therewillbeearly-morningcallers to thinkof.Cato himself could not escape reproach on meeting them, choughCaesar’s adverse comment is tinged with admiration. The passers-bywhomCatometwhendrunk,blushedwhentheydiscoveredwhohewas,and(saysCaesar)YouwouldhavethoughttheyhadbeenfoundoutbyCato,notCatoby them’.Whatbetter tribute toCato’sprestige than toshowhim still awe-inspiringwhendrunk!But our dinnermust have alimit,intimeaswellasinpreparationsandexpense;forwearenotthesortofpeoplewhomevenourenemiescannotblamewithoutawordofpraise.

13.ToVoconiusRomanus

IamsendingatyourrequestthetextofthespeechinwhichIrecently

expressed my thanks to our noble Emperor for my consulship;1 Iintendedtodosoinanycase.Ishouldlikeyoutobearinmindthatthenobilityofthethemebringsitsowndifficulties.Inotherspeechesthereisnovelty, ifnothingelse, toholdtheattentionof thereader,buthereeverything is common knowledge and has been said before;consequently the reader has time and freedom to concentrate on thedeliverywithoutdistractions,and ifhe formshisopinionby thisalonehe isnoteasily satisfied. Iwouldpreferhim togiveequalattention tothe arrangement, the transitions and figures of speech, for, although apowerful imaginationand thegiftof forcefulexpressionare sometimestobefoundintheuneducated,noonecandisplayskillinarrangementandvarietyoffiguresexceptthetrainedexpert.Norshouldonealwaysbe searching for the elevated and the sublime, for a speech needs to

loweraswellastoraiseitstone:justasinapicture,lightisbestshownupbyshadow.Butthereisnoneedformetosaythistoanyoneofyourattainments.Ioughtrathertoaskyoutomarkanyalterationsyouthinkshouldbemade,for,ifIhaveyourcriticismsofsomepoints,Ishallbemorereadytobelievethatyouliketherestofthespeech.

14.ToPublius(?)Acilius

This horrible affair demands more publicity than a letter – LarciusMacedo,asenatorandex-praetor,hasfallenavictimtohisownslaves.Admittedlyhewasacruelandoverbearingmaster, tooready to forgetthathis fatherhadbeenaslave,orperhaps tookeenlyconsciousof it.

HewastakingabathinhishouseatFormiae1whensuddenlyhefoundhimselfsurrounded;oneslaveseizedhimbythethroatwhiletheothersstruckhisfaceandhithiminthechestandstomachand-shockingtosay– inhisprivateparts.Whentheythoughthewasdeadtheythrewhimon to the hot pavement, tomake sure hewas not still alive.Whetherunconsciousor feigning tobe so,he lay theremotionless, thusmakingthembelievethathewasquitedead.Onlythenwashecarriedout,asifhe had fainted with the heat, and received by his slaves who hadremained faithful, while his concubines ran up, screaming frantically.Rousedbytheircriesandrevivedbythecoolerairheopenedhiseyesandmadesomemovementtoshowthathewasalive,itbeingnowsafetodoso.Theguiltyslavesfled,butmostofthemhavebeenarrestedandasearchisbeingmadefortheothers.Macedowasbroughtbacktolifewith difficulty, but only for a few days; at least he died with thesatisfaction of having revenged himself, for he lived to see the same

punishment meted out as for murder. There you see the dangers,outrages,andinsults towhichweareexposed.Nomastercanfeelsafebecause he is kind and considerate; for it is their brutality, not theirreasoningcapacity,whichleadsslavestomurdermasters.

Butletuschangethesubject.Whatnewsisthere?None,orIwouldgiveyouit, forIstillhavespace,andtoday’sholidaygivesmetimetocontinue. Iwillonlyput inadetail inconnexionwithMacedowhichIhavefortunatelyjustremembered.HewasinoneofthepublicbathsinRomewhenaremarkableincidentoccurredwhicheventshaveprovedtobeanomen.OneofMacedo’sslaveslightlytouchedaRomanknighttoaskhimtoletthempass;themanturnedroundandstrucknottheslavewhohadtouchedhim,butMacedohimselfsuchaviolentblowthathenearlyknockedhimdown.SothebathshavebeenthescenesuccessivelyofinsulttoMacedoandthenofhisdeath.

15.ToSiliusProculus

YouwantmetoreadthroughsomeofyourpoemswhileIamawayonholiday,toseeiftheyareworthpublishing,and,inbeggingmetospendonyourworkanyoddmomentsIcansparefrommyown,youcanciteaprecedent to support your plea; Cicero, you say, was wonderfullygenerousaboutencouragingthetalentofpoets.

Buttherewasnoneedofprayersandentreaties–Ihaveaprofoundregard for poetry and thewarmest affection for yourself, and so Iwillgladly applymyself to doingwhat you ask. However, I see no reasonwhyIshouldnotsayhereandnowthatitisasplendidworkandoughtnottoremainunpublished,tojudgefromthepassagesIhaveheardyou

read;unlessIwascarriedawaybyyourstyleofreading,whichhasverygreat charm and skill. But I feel sure that I am not seduced by thepleasures of the ear to the extent of losing allmy critical powers;mysting may perhaps be dulled and lack a little of its sharpness, but itcannotbeentirelypulledout.Thisthenismyconsideredopinionontheworkasawhole,andIwilljudgethepartsafterIhavereadthem.

16.ToMaeciliusNepos

IthinkIhaveremarkedthatthemorefamouswordsanddeedsofmenandwomenarenotnecessarilytheirgreatest.Iwasstrengthenedinthis

opinionbyaconversationIhadyesterdaywithFannia,1granddaughterofthefamousArriawhosustainedandencouragedherhusbandbyherexampleat thetimeofhisdeath.Shetoldmeseveral thingsabouthergrandmotherwhichwerequiteasheroicthoughlesswellknown,andIthink theywillmake thesame impressiononyouasyouread themastheydidonmeduringtheirtelling.

Arria’shusband,CaecinaPaetus,wasill,sowastheirson,anditwasthought thatneithercould recover.Thesondied,amostbeautifulboywithanunassumingmannernolessremarkable,anddeartohisparentsfor reasons beyond the fact that hewas their son. Arriamade all thepreparationsforhisfuneralandtookherplaceattheceremonywithouther husband knowing; in fact whenever she entered his room shepretendedthattheirsonwasstillaliveandevenratherbetter,and,whenPaetuskeptaskinghowtheboywas,shewouldanswerthathehadhadagoodsleepandwaswillingtotakesomefood.Thenwhenthetearsshehadheldbackforsolongcouldnolongerbekeptfrombreakingout,she

left the room;not till thendid shegiveway tohergrief.Herweepingover,shedriedhereyes,composedherface,andreturnedasifshehadleftthelossofherchildoutsidetheroom.Itwasagloriousdeed,Iknow,todrawadagger,plungeitintoherbreast,pullitout,andhandittoherhusband with the immortal, almost divine words: ‘It does not hurt,Paetus.’Butonthatwell-knownoccasionshehadfameandimmortalitybeforehereyes.Itwassurelyevenmoreheroicwhenshebadnohopeofanysuchreward, tostifleher tears,hidehergrief,andcontinuetoactthemotheraftershehadlostherson.

At the timeof therevoltagainstClaudiusraisedbyScribonianus in

Illyricum,2 Paetus had joined his party, and after Scribonianus’s deathwasbeingbroughtasaprisoner toRome.Hewasabout toboard shipwhenArriabeggedthesoldierstotakeherwithhim.‘Thisisasenatorofconsular rank,’ she insisted, ‘and of course you will allow him a fewslavestoservehismeals,dresshimandputonhisshoes;allofwhichIcandoforhimmyself’Herrequestwasrefused.Shethenhiredasmallfishing smack, and thegreat ship sailedwithher following inher tinyboat.

Again, when she came before Claudius and found the wife ofScribonianusvolunteeringtogiveevidenceoftherevolt,‘AmItolistento you,’ she cried, ‘who could go on living after Scribonianus died inyourarms?’Thisproves thatherdetermination todieagloriousdeathwas not a sudden impulse. Indeed, when her son-in-law Thrasea wastryingtopersuadehernottocarryoutherresolve,inthecourseofhisargumentheaskedherwhetherifheeverhadtodieshewouldwishherdaughtertodiewithhim.‘Ifshelivesaslongandhappilywithyou,’she

said,‘asIhavewithPaetus–yes.’Thisanswerincreasedtheanxietyfeltfor her by her family and she was watched even more carefully.Perceiving this, ‘It is no good, she said. ‘You can make me choose apainfuldeath,butyoucannotmakeitimpossible.’Withthesewordssheleapedoutofherchairanddashedherheadagainstthewallopposite,sothat she fell senseless from theviolentblow.When she came round, ‘Itoldyou,’shesaid,‘thatIshouldfindahardwaytodieifyoudeniedmeaneasyone.’

Surely you think thesewords greater than thewell-known ‘It doesnot hurt, Paetus’whichwas their culmination? And yet this iswidelyfamous, while the earlier sayings are not known at all. Hence theinferencewithwhichIbeganthisletter,thatthewordsanddeedswhichwinfamearenotalwaysthegreatest

17.ToJuliusServianus1

Ihavehadnoletterfromyouforsuchalongtime–isitbecauseallgoeswell?Or is the reason that all iswell but you are too busy: or, if notactually busy, have you little or no opportunity to dispatch a letter?Pleaseendmyanxiety–Ican’tbearit.Dosoevenifyouhavetosendaspecialmessenger. Iwill payhis expenses andgivehim something forhimself, as longashebringsme thenews Iwant. I amwellmyself, if‘well’istherightwordforlivinginsuchastateofworryandsuspense,expecting and fearing to hear anymoment that a dear friend hasmetwithoneoftheaccidentswhichcanbefallmankind.

18.ToVibiusSeverus

My acceptance of the consulship brought with it the official duty ofaddressing a vote of thanks to the Emperor in the name of the State.AfterdoingsointheSenateintheusualmannerbefittingtheplaceandoccasion,Ithoughtitmyproperdutyasaloyalcitizentogivethesamesubject a fuller and more elaborate treatment in a written version. Ihoped in the first place to encourage our Emperor in Ills virtues by asinceretribute,and,secondly,toshowhissuccessorswhatpathtofollowtowin the same renown,notbyoffering instructionbutby settinghisexamplebeforethem.ToprofferadviceonanEmperor’sdutiesmightbea noble enterprise, but it would be a heavy responsibility verging oninsolence, whereas to praise an excellent ruler and thereby shine abeacon on the path posterity should followwould be equally effectivewithoutappearingpresumptuous.

Onethinghasgivenmeagreatdealofpleasure.WhenIhaddecidedtogiveareadingof thespeechtomyfriends, Ididnot invite thembynoteorprogramme,butsimplyaskedthemtocome‘ifconvenient’orifthey ‘reallyhadtime’(thoughasamatterof factnoone inRomeeverfinds it convenient or really has time to attend public readings); theweather too was particularly bad, but nevertheless they attended twodays running, and, when discretion would have put an end to thereading,theymademecontinueforathirdday.AmItolookuponthisasatributetomyselfortotheartoforatory?Ihopethelatter,asitisnowenjoyingarevivalafteralmostdyingout.Andwhatwasthesubjectwhichheldtheirinterest?Aspeechofthanks,whichevenintheSenatewe used not to be able to endure without being bored after the firstminute,cannowfindareaderandanaudiencewillingtolistenforthreedays on end, not through any improvement in our standard of

eloquence,butbecausegreaterfreedomofspeechmakeswritingmoreofapleasure.ThisisyetanothertributetoourEmperor:atypeofspeechwhich used to be hated for its insincerity has become genuine andconsequently popular today. But I much admired the critical sense aswellastheenthusiasmofmyaudience,noticingthattheleastelaboratepassagespleasedthemmost.IhavenotforgottenthatonlyafewfriendshaveheardmereadwhatIhavewrittenforthegeneralpublic;butevenso,mydelightintheirkeenattentivenessmakesmehopefulthatpopularopinionwillcoincidewiththeirs.Iamalsoencouragedtohopethatwemaynowhaveanaudienceinthetheatrewhichwillteachtheplayerstoperform properly, instead of encouraging the bad performances of thepast.Everyauthorwhowrites topleasehispublicmodelshisworkonwhatheseeshasgivenpleasure,andIpersonallyamconvincedthatforthis typeof subject I did right to employa livelier style, for a conciseand tersermanner ismore likely to appear strained andartificial thanthepassagesIwroteinahappierandmorebuoyantmood.Nevertheless,Istillpraythatsomedaythetimewillcome–andIwishithadalready–whenthesewinningphrases,evenwheretheyaresecurelyestablished,willwithdrawtheircharmstomakewayforstrictsimplicity.

Thesethenaremydoingsduringthelastthreedays.Iwantedyoutoknowthemsothatyoucouldenjoyfromafarthesamepleasureasyouwouldhavehadhere,bothonmyaccountandforthecauseoforatory.

19.ToCalvisiusRufus

Asusual,Iamcallinguponyourexpertadviceonamatterofproperty.

The estate adjoiningmy own1 is for sale; the land runs in and out of

mine,and,thoughtherearemanyattractionstemptingmetobuy,thereare some no less important reasons why I should not. The primaryattractionistheobviousamenityifthepropertieswerejoined,andafterthatthepracticaladvantageaswellasthepleasureofbeingabletovisitthetwotogetherwithoutmakingmorethanonejourney.Bothcouldbeput under the same steward and practically the same foremen, and itwouldonlybenecessarytomaintainandfurnishonehouse,solongasthe other was kept in repair. In this account I include the cost offurniture, household staff, gardeners,workmen, and alsohunting gear;foritmakesaconsiderabledifferencewhetheronekeepsalltheseinoneplaceordistributesthembetweenseveral.OntheotherhandIamafraidit may be rash to expose a property of such a size to the sameuncertaintiesofweatherandgeneralrisks,anditmightbesafertomeetthehazardsoffortunebyhavingestatesindifferentlocalities;andthenchangeofplaceandairisveryenjoyable,andsoistheactualtravellingbetweenone’spossessions.

But the chief point for consideration is this.The land is fertile, thesoilrichandwellwatered,andthewholemadeupoffields,vineyards,andwoodswhichproduceenoughtoyieldasteadyincomeifnotaverylarge one. But this natural fertility is being exhausted by poorcultivation. The last owner on more than one occasion sold up thetenants’ possessions, so that he temporarily reduced their arrears butweakened their resources for the future, and consequently their debtsmountedupagain.Theywillhavetobesetupandgivenagoodtypeofslave,whichwillincreasetheexpense;fornowheredoIemploychainedslavesmyself,andnooneusesthemthere.

It remains for you to know the purchase price: three millionsesterces. It used at one time to be five million, but this scarcity oftenants and the general bad times have reduced the income from thelandandbroughtdownitsvalue.YouwillwanttoknowifIcaneasilyraisethisthreemillion.Itistruethatnearlyallmycapitalisinland,butI have some investments and it will not be difficult to borrow. I canalwayshavemoneyfrommymother-in-law,whosecapitalIamabletouseasfreelyasmyown.Don’t letthisworryyouifyoucandisposeofthe other points. I hope youwill give them your full attention, for asregardstheadministrationoflargesumsofmoney,asineverythingelse,youhaveabundantexperienceandwisdom.

20.ToMaesiusMaximus

Youmust have often read about the fierce controversy roused by the

BallotAct,1andthemixedpraiseandblameitbroughtitsproposer;yettoday the merits of the act have won the unanimous approval of theSenate.On thedayof the recent elections everyonedemandedvoting-papers, for on the last occasions when we had publicly recorded ourvotes aloud we had certainly exceeded the disorders of the people’sassemblies. No regard was paid to a time-limit in speaking, to thecourtesyofnotinterrupting,noreventheproprietyofremainingseated.Onallsidesrosethedinofopposingcries:everyonerushedforwardwithhis candidate and crowdsmingledwith small groups of people in thecentreofthefloorindisgracefulconfusion.Sofarhadwedepartedfromour parents’ procedure, where everything was calmly conducted in arestrainedandorderlymannersoastomaintainthehonouranddignity

oftheHouse.

There are still some of the older generation livingwho have oftentoldmeabout theirelectionprocedure: thenameof thecandidatewasreadoutandreceived incompletesilence,afterwhichhespokeonhisownbehalf,gaveanaccountofhiscareerandproducedreferencestohischaracter,eitherthecommandingofficerunderwhomhehadservedinthearmyor thegovernorwhosequaestorhehadbeen, andboth ifhecould. He then called upon some of the electors supporting hiscandidature, who said a few sober words in his favour which carriedmore weight than entreaties. Sometimes the candidate would raiseobjections to his opponent’s origin, age or character, and the Senatewouldhearhimwithstrictattention.Theresultwasthatmeritprevailedmore often than mere popularity. But now that these practices havebrokendownthroughexcessivepersonalinfluence,recoursewashadtothe secret ballot as a remedy, and, being a new and unaccustomedmeasure,forthetimebeingithasprovedsuccessful.YetIamafraidthatas timegoesontheremedywillbreed itsownabuses,with theriskofwanton irresponsibility finding a way in. Very few people are asscrupulouslyhonest in secretas inpublic,andmanyare influencedbypublicopinionbutscarcelyanyonebyconscience.Itistoosoon,though,to speakof the future; for themoment, thanks to thewrittenvote,weare going to elect our public officials from the candidates who bestdeservethehonour.Wehavebeencalledupontopronounceanopinioninourelectionswithnomorewarningthanisgivenatasummarytrial,andhaveshownourselvesuncorrupted.

Ihave toldyou thisprimarily togiveyou somegenuinenews, and

then tobe able to talk a little aboutpoliticalmatters; a subjectwhichgives us fewer opportunities than in the old days, so none must bemissed.Besides,hasn’tthetimecometogiveupthecommonplace‘Howareyou? Ihopeyouarewell’?Our lettersought to contain somethingwhich rises above the trivialities and limitations of personal interests.Everything today, it is true, depends on thewill of onemanwho hastaken upon himself for the general good all our cares andresponsibilities;yetmindfulofourneedsheseesthatstreamsflowdowntousfromhisfountofgenerositysothatwecandrawonthemourselvesanddispensethembylettertoourabsentfriends.

21.ToCorneliusPriscus

Iamdistressed tohear thatValeriusMartial isdead.Hewasamanofgreatgifts,withamindbothsubtleandpenetrating,andhiswritingsareremarkable for theircombinationofsinceritywithpungencyandwit. IhadmadehimapresentofhistravellingexpenseswhenheretiredfromRome, in recognition of our friendship and the verses hewrote aboutme. It was the custom in the past to reward poets who had sung thepraisesofcitiesor individualswithgiftsofofficeormoney,but inourdaythiswasoneofthefirstthingstofalloutoffashionalongwithmanyother fine and honourable practices; for, now that we do nothing tomeritapoet’stribute,itseemsfoolishtoreceiveone.

You will want to know the verses which wonmy gratitude, and Iwouldgiveyou the referencehad Inot someof thembyheart. If youlikethese,youcanlookuptheothersinhispublishedworks.ThepoetisaddressingtheMuse,tellinghertoseekmyhouseontheEsquilineand

approachitwithrespect:1

Muse,donotknockathislearneddoordrunk,andattimeill-chosen;AllthehoursofhisworkingdayhedevotestocrabbedMinerva,WhilehepreparesfortheHundredCourtthespeecheswhichafteragesJudgetobeworthyoftakingplacebythoseofthesonofArpinum.Waittillthelamps burn late and low,whenBacchus is ruling the revels, Safer thenight, when the brow is crowned with the rose and the hair dripsperfume;This isyourhour,when thepuritans’ frowncan relaxwithasmileformyverses.

Was I right then to part on such friendly terms from the author oftheseversesaboutme?AmIrighttomournhisdeathnowasoneofmydearestfriends?Hegavemeofhisbest,andwouldhavegivenmemorehadhebeenable,thoughsurelynothingmorecanbegiventomanthana tributewhichwill bring him fame and immortality. Youmay objectthat his verses will not be immortal; perhaps not, but he wrote themwiththatintention.

BOOKFOUR

1.ToCalpurniusFabatus,hiswife’sgrandfather

Yourgranddaughterand I are touched tohear thatyouareanxious toseeusbothaftersolonganinterval,andweshareyourfeelings.Ican’ttellyouhowmuchweare looking forward topayingyoubothavisit,anditshallnotbeputoffanylonger–indeed,wearealreadypackingsothatwecantravelasfastastheroutewemustfollowpermits.Onethingwilldelayus,butnotforlong;weshallhavetoturnofftomyplaceinTuscany,nottolookoverthelandandthehouseIhavethere–thiscanbeputofftoanothertime–buttoperformwhatwefeelisanecessaryduty. Close to my property is the town of Tifernum on Tiber whichadoptedme as its patronwhen Iwas scarcelymore than a child – itsenthusiasm outrunning its discretion. The people always celebrate myarrivals,regretmydepartures,andrejoiceinmyofficialtitles,andsotoexpress my gratitude (one always feels disgraced at being outdone infriendlyfeeling)Idefrayedthecostofbuildingatempleinthetown.Asthis is now completed, it would be sacrilegious to postpone itsdedicationanylonger.Soweshallbethereforthedayofthededication,whichIhavedecidedtocelebratewithapublicfeast,andwemayhavetostayonforthedayfollowing,butifsowewillhurryoverthejourney

thefaster.

Ionlyhopethatweshallhavethepleasureoffindingyouandyourdaughterwell.Itwillcertainlybeapleasuretoseeyourhappinessifwearrivesafely.

2.ToAttiusClemens

Regulus has lost his son, the one misfortune he did not deserve, butdoubtlessnorealmisfortune inhiseyes.Theboywassharp-wittedbutunreliable;stillhemighthaveprovedhonestifhedidnottakeafterhisfather. Regulus released him from parental authority so that the boycould inherit his mother’s estate, but having ‘sold’ him (so it wasgenerallyspokenofby thosewhoknewtheman’shabits),hebegantoworkonhimwithadisgustingshowofindulgence,quiteunnaturalinaparent.Itsoundsincredible,butrememberitwasRegulus.Nowthathissonisdeadhemournswithwildextravagance.TheboyusedtopossessanumberofGallicponiesforridinganddriving,alsodogsofallsizes,andnightingales,parrots,andblackbirds;Regulushad themall slaughteredroundhispyre.Thatwasnotgrief,butparadeofgrief.Itisamazinghowheisnowbesiegedbypeoplewhoallloatheanddetesthimandyetflockroundhimincrowdsasiftheyreallylovedandadmiredhim.Toputitbriefly,theycourtRegulusbyhisownmethods.Hewillnotstirfromhisgardens beyond the Tiber, where he has covered a vast area withimmensecolonnadesandlitteredthebankwithhispreciousstatues;forhe is extravagant for all his avarice, and vainglorious in spite of hisnotoriety.Thusheupsetsthewholecityattheworstseasonoftheyear,andfindsconsolationinthenuisancehemakesofhimself.

Hesayshewantstomarryagain,andisasperverseonthispointasheisineverythingelse.Youwillsoonhearthatthemournerismarried,theoldmaniswed–theonetooearlyandtheothertoolate.HowcanIpredict this? Not from anything Regulus has said, for nothing is lesslikelytobetrue,butbecauseitiscertainthatReguluswilldowhateverheshouldnot.

3.ToArriusAntoninus

You have twice held the consulshipwith the dignity of a bygone age,andveryfewwhohavebeengovernorsofAsiabeforeorafteryourtermofofficehaveprovedyourequal(yourmodestyforbidsmetosaytherehas been no one). In virtue, prestige and years you are our foremostcitizen. So fine a record cannot fail to command respect, yet for yourrecreationsIpersonallyadmireyouevenmore.Totemperagravitylikeyourswith a pleasantry no less remarkable, to combine suchwitwithyour profoundwisdom is an achievement as difficult as it is splendid;but you have been successful in the exceptional charm of yourconversation,andevenmoresobyyourpen.Whenyouspeakthehoney

ofHomer’sNestorseemstoflowfromyourlips,1whilethebeesfillyourwritings with sweetness culled from flowers. Such were certainly myimpressions when I recently read your Greek epigrams and iambicmimes.Their sensitivityandgrace, theircharmandwarmthof feeling,their wit which never wants propriety, made me imagine I heldCallimachusorHerodasinmyhands,orevensomegreaterpoet;thoughneitherofthemexcelledinbothtypesofversenorevenattemptedthem.Is suchGreekpossible for aRoman?Athensherself, believeme, could

notbesoAttic.InfactIenvytheGreeksbecauseyouhavepreferredtowrite in their language; for it is easy to guess how you could expressyourself inyournativeidiomwhenyoucanproducesuchmasterpiecesinaforeignandacquiredtongue.

4.ToSosiusSenecio

Iamexceedingly fondofVarisidiusNepos;he ishard-working,honest,and trained in eloquence, a qualitywhereby I set great store. He is anearrelativeofmyclosefriendGaiusCalvisius,whoisalsoafriendofyours,andisinfacthissister’sson.Pleaseprocurehimthehonourofasix-months’ tribunate, both for his own and his uncle’s sake. Youwillobligeme and ourmutual friend Calvisius, and youwill obligeNeposhimself, who is as worthy of being under obligation to you as youbelieveus to be.Youhave conferredmanybenefits on several people,butIventuretosaythatyouhavebestowednonemorejustly,andonlyoneortwowheretheyhavebeensowelldeserved.

5.ToJuliusSparsus

ThereisastorythatwhenthecitizensofRhodesaskedAeschinestoreadthem a speech, he read first one of his own and then one ofDemosthenes’, and both were received with loud applause. It is nosurprise to me that these great men won such a success with theirorations, seeing thata recent speechofmyownwasgivena two-days’hearingbyadistinguishedaudienceandwasreceivedwiththesamesortof enthusiasm and attentive concentration. And yet there was no

comparisontobemadebetweentwospeeches,noranyrivalrytorouse

interest;fortheRhodianshadboththerespectivemeritsofthespeechesand the incentive of comparison to stimulate them, whereas my ownwon approval without gaining anything from competition. You willknowifitwasjustlyapprovedwhenyouhaveleadthepublishedversion–its lengthpreventsmefromintroducingit toyouina longerletter. ImustatleastbebriefwhereIcan,inthehopeofbeingexcusedforthelength of the speech itself; though I don’t think it is too long for theimportanceofthesubject.

6.ToJuliusNaso

IhearthatthehailhasdonealotofdamagetomypropertyinTuscany,and frombeyond thePoconies thenews that cropsareverygoodbutprices correspondingly low, so I have only Laurentum to bring me inanything. There I possess nothing but the house and garden and theadjoiningsea-shore,butstill it is theonlyplacebringingsomethingin.ForthereIdomostofmywriting,and,insteadofthelandIlack,Iworktocultivatemyself;sothatIhaveaharvestinmydesktoshowyouinplaceoffullgranarieselsewhere.

If then like me you want a property where you can be sure of areturn,youshouldbuyoneonthiscoast.

7.ToCatiusLepidus

I haveoften told youaboutRegulus’s forceof character. It is amazinghowhecarriesoutwhateverhesetshishearton.Hemadeuphismind

to mourn his son, so he mourns as nobody ever did; he decided to

commission as many statues and portraits of the boy as he possiblycould, so he sets all the workshops busy portraying him in colour, inwax, bronze, silver, gold, ivory and marble. He even collected a vastaudiencetheotherdaytohearhimreadamemoirofhisson–thelifeofamere boy, but nevertheless he read it, and has had countless copiesmadetodistributethroughoutItalyandtheprovinces.Hehaswrittenanopen letter to the town councils asking them to choose one of theirnumberwiththebestvoicetogiveapublicreadingofthework;andthishasbeendone.

Ifhehadappliedtobetterendsthisforce(orwhateverwearetocallthis determination to get one’s own way), think how much good hecould have done! And yet good men are less forceful than bad:

‘Ignorance breeds confidence, reflection leads to hesitation’1 as thesayinggoes, and sodiffidence is theweaknessof right-thinkingminds,whiledepravitygains strength fromrecklessabandon.Regulus isproofofthis.Hehasweaklungs,indistinctarticulation,andastammer,heisslowatfindingtherightwordandhasnomemory,nothinginfactbutaperverted ingenuity, and yet his crazy effrontery has won him thepopularreputationofbeinganorator.SoHerenniusSeneciohascleverlyadaptedCato’swell-knowndefinitionofanoratortofithim:‘Thisoratoris a badmanuntrained in speaking.’ Cato certainly did not define therealoratorsoneatlyasSeneciohassummedupRegulus!

Canyoumakemeaproper return for a letter like this?You can ifyouwill write and tellmewhether any ofmy friends in your town -perhapsyourself-hashad to readout thismiserableeffortofRegulus’s,

shoutinginpubliclikeacheap-jack,or,toquoteDemosthenes,’bawling

inaloudandjubilantstrain’.1Foritissoabsurdthatitismorelikelytomeetwithlaughterthantears;youwouldthinkitwaswrittenbyaboyratherthanaboutone.

8.ToMaturusArrianus

Thankyou foryourverypropercongratulationsonmyappointment totheofficeofaugur:properbecause in the firstplace it isanhonour toaccept the decisions of so wise a ruler as ours even in matters lessimportant than this, and secondly because the priesthood is an old-establishedreligiousofficeandhasaparticularsanctityinthatitisheldfor life. There are other positions no less honourable, but they can bebestowed and taken away, whereas in this the element of chance islimited to the bestowal. I can also think of a further reason for

congratulation; I have taken theplace of Julius Frontinus,2 one of ourgreatestcitizens,whoinrecentyearsneverfailedtoputupmynameforthe priesthood on nomination day, with the apparent intention ofmakingmehissuccessor;sothatnowwheneventshaveapprovedofhischoice,myelectionseemsmorethanmerelyfortuitous.Andyou,asyousay inyour letter,areparticularlypleased to seemeanaugurbecauseCiceroheldthesamepriesthood,andaregladthatIamsteppingintohisofficesasIamsoanxioustomakehimmymodelinmyliterarywork.AsIhavereachedthesamepriesthoodandconsulshipatamuchearneragethanhedid, Ihope Imayattain to somethingofhisgeniusat least inlater life. Butwhereas everythingwhichman canbestowhas fallen tomylotasithastomanyanother,suchgeniusisdifficulttoachieveand

almosttoomuchtohopefor;itcanonlybegrantedbythegods.

9.ToCorneliusUrsus

ThelastfewdayshaveseenthetrialofJuliusBassus,amuch-harassedman who is notorious for his misfortunes. During Vespasian’s reign acase was brought against him by two persons on their own accountwhichwasreferredtotheSenate.Hewasthenleftinsuspenseforalongtune until finally found not guilty and acquitted. He was a friend ofDomitian’s, and consequently nervous of Titus; and then he wasbanished by Domitian. Recalled by Nerva, he drew the province ofBithyniaandreturned fromthere tostandtrial, in thecourseofwhichhewasviolentlyattackedandloyallydefended.Theopinionofthecourtwasdividedonhissentence,butthemajoritytookamorelenientview.

Pomponius Rufus, a ready and forceful speaker, opened the caseagainsthimandwasfollowedbyTheophanes,therepresentativeoftheprovincemainly responsible for sparkingoff theprosecution. I replied.Bassushadentrustedmewiththetaskof layingthe foundationsof thewhole defence, and my instructions were to refer to his officialdistinctions(andthesebecauseofhisnoblebirthandhazardouscareerwere not inconsiderable), then deal with the informers who wereplottingtomakeaprofitforthemselves,andfinallyspeakofthereasonsfor his unpopularity with every disturber of the peace, such asTheophaneshimself.HehadalsodeclaredithiswishthatIshouldmeettheprincipalchargeagainsthim;forontheotherpoints,whichsoundedmore serious, he really deserved congratulations as well as acquittal,whereas what weighed heavily against him was the fact that in all

innocence he had thoughtlessly accepted certain gifts from theprovincialsastheirfriend(hehadbeenquaestorinthesameprovince).Thesehisprosecutorscalledtheftsandplunder,whilehedeclaredtheywerepresents.

But theacceptanceofpresents isalso forbiddenby law.1HowthenwasItoanswerthis,andwhatlineofdefenceshouldItake?IfIdeniedeverything,IwasafraidthatanactionwhichIdarenotadmitwouldbetaken for an obvious theft. Besides, to deny a palpable factwasmorelikelytoincreasethegravityofthechargethantoremoveit,especiallyas the defendant had not given us a free hand at all; for he had toldmanypeople,includingtheEmperorhimself,thathehadacceptedgifts,butonlysmallones,andonlyonhisbirthdayandduringtheSaturnalia,andhadusuallysentsomethinginreturn.WasIthentopleadformercy?It would be the death of my client to admit that his guilt made itimpossibleforanythingshortofmercytosavehim.ShouldIattempttojustifyhisconduct?Thatwouldnothelphim,andwouldexposemetothechargeofirresponsibility.AmidstthesedifficultiesIdecidedtosteeramiddlecourse,andIbelieveIwassuccessful.

Nightfallinterruptedmyspeech,asitdoesabattle.Ihadspokenforthreeandahalfhours,andstillhadanhourandahalf,for,asthelawallowed six hours to the prosecution and nine hours to the defence,Bassushaddivided the timebetweenme and the speaker to follow sothatIshouldhavefivehoursandhetheremainingfour.Thesuccessofmy speechmademe feel that I should stop and say nomore, for it isriskynot to rest contentwhen things are goingwell. Iwas also afraidthatmy strength would fail with a renewed effort, for it is harder to

makeanewstartthantogostraighton.Therewas,too,thedangerthatthe rest of my speech would meet with a cold reception after theinterruption,orseemtediouswhenitwasresumed.Atorchwillstaylitifitiskeptmoving,but,ifoncethesparkislost,itisdifficulttoreviveitagain; similarly, continuitykeepsupa speaker’s fireandanaudience’sattention,butbothweakenoncethetensionisrelaxedandbroken.ButBassusbeggedandbesoughtmealmostintearstotakemyfulltime,andIyielded,puttinghisinterestsbeforemyown.Allwentwell,andIfoundtheattentionoftheSenateaskeenandfreshasifithadbeenstimulatedratherthansatedbymyfirstspeech.

IwasfollowedbyLucceiusAlbinus,whoseaptchoiceofphrasemadeitappeardialwecombinedthevarietyofourseparatespeecheswiththecontinuity of a single one.Herennius Polliomade a forceful andwell-reasonedreply,andthenTheophanesspokeagain.Here,too,heshowedhislackofdiscretion,notonlyinclaimingtimetoaddressthecourtaftertwo accomplished speakers of consular rank, but also in continuing atlength;fordarknessfellwhilehewasstillspeakingandhewentonafterdark when lamps were brought in. The following day Homullus andFronto made an excellent defence of Bassus, and the fourth day wasspentonexaminationofwitnesses.

Thentheconsul-elect,BaebiusMacer,proposedthatBassusshouldbedealtwithunderthelawdealingwithrestitutionofmoniesextorted,andCaepioHispothathispenaltyshouldbeassessedbycommissionwithoutloss of status. Bothwere correct, though youmaywonder how this ispossiblewhen their proposals differed sowidely.Macer looked to theletter of the law, and so quite rightly condemned a man who had

acceptedgiftsillegally;whereasCaepio,takingtheviewthattheSenatehasthepower(asindeedithas)toreduceorincreasetheseverityofthelaw,hadreasontoexcuseanactionwhichwasillegal,strictlyspeaking,but not without precedent. Caepio’s proposal was carried; in fact onrisingtospeakhewasgreetedwiththeapplausewhichisusuallygivenwhen a speaker resumes his seat. You can judge then how his actualspeech was received, when it was thus welcomed in anticipation.However,publicopinionisnomoreunanimousthanthatoftheSenate;thosewhoapproveofCaepio’s proposal criticizeMacer’s for being toostrict and severe, while others support Macer and call Caepio’ssuggestionlaxandevenillogical,sayingthatitisinconsistentforamanwho has had a penalty assessed against him to retain his place in theSenate.

Therewasalsoathirdopinion.ValeriusPaulinusagreedwithCaepio,but made the further proposal that the Senate should deal withTheophanesassoonashehadmadehisreportonhiscommission;foritwasclearthatduringhisworkfortheprosecutionhehadcommittedanumberofoffenceswhichcameunderthesamelawasthatunderwhichhehadaccusedBassus.Buttheconsulsdidnotfollowupthisproposal,althoughitfoundgreatfavourwiththemajorityoftheSenate.Paulinusat any rate won credit for making a firm stand for justice.When thecourt rose, Bassus was met by crowds of people clamouring to

demonstratetheirdelight.1Hehadwonpublicsympathybytherevivalof the old story of his hazardous career, by his name, famous for histroublesinthepast,andbythespectacleofhistallfigure,bentwiththeafflictionsandpovertyofhisoldage.

Thislettercomestoyouasaforerunnerofthewholespeech,whichfollows burdenedwith its details; youwill have a longwait for it, asmorethanasuperficialandcursoryhandlingisneededforasubjectofsuchimportance.

10.ToStatiusSabinus

IunderstandfromyourletterthatSabinainmakingusherheirsleftusnoinstructionsthatherslaveModestuswastobegivenhisfreedom,buteven so left him a legacy in the words: ‘To Modestus whom I haveordered to be set free’; and you would like to hear my view. I haveconsulted the legal experts, and it was their unanimous opinion thatModestus should receive neither his freedom, as it was not expresslygranted,norhislegacy,asitwasbequeathedtohimwhilehisstatuswasthat of a slave. But it seems to me obvious that it was a mistake onSabina’spart,andIthinkweoughttoactasifshehadsetoutinwritingwhatshebelievedshehadwritten.Iamsureyouwillagreewithme,foryouarealwaysmostscrupulousaboutcarryingouttheintentionofthedeceased. Once understood, it should be legally binding on an honestheir,ashonourputsusunderanobligationasbindingasnecessityisforotherpeople.Letus thenallowModestus tohavehis libertyandenjoyhislegacyasifSabinahadtakeneveryproperprecaution.Shedidinfactdosobyherwisechoiceofheirs.

11.ToCorneliusMinicianus

Have you heard thatValerius Licinianus is teaching rhetoric in Sicily?

ThenewshasonlyjustcomesoIdoubtifitwillhavereachedyouyet.It

isnot longsince this senatorofpraetorian rankwasconsideredoneofthebestadvocates inRome.Nowhehassunktohispresentposition–thesenatorisanexileandtheoratorateacherofrhetoric.

Soinhis introductorylecturethesemelancholywordsmadeagreatimpression: ‘O fortune, how you sportwith us! You turn senators intoteachersandteachersintosenators.’(Suchrancourandbitternessmakesme wonder whether he turned teacher to be able to voice it.) Then,whenhehadmadehisentrycladinaGreekcloak(thosewhohavebeenritually banished are not allowed to wear the toga), hemade himselfready, lookeddownathisdress,andannounced thathewoulddeliverhis speech in Latin.All this, youmay say, is pitiably sadbutnomorethanthejustfateofamanwhodisgracedhisprofessionbythecrimeof

violation of a Vestal Virgin.1 But though Licinianus admitted thisoffence, it is not clearwhetherhedid sobecause the chargewaswellfoundedorbecausehefearedaworseoneifhedeniedit.ForatthetimeDomitian was beside himself with fury, raging at being left withoutwitnesses when he hadmade up hismind to bury alive Cornelia, thechief priestess of the Vestal Virgins, with the idea of making his agefamous by an example of this kind. Acting on his powers as ChiefPontiff,orratherdisplayingatyrant’scrueltyandadespot’slicence,hesummonedtheotherprieststomeetathisAlbanpalaceinsteadofintheRegia, and then condemnedCornelia in absence and unheard; therebycommittingacrimeasgreatastheonehemadeashowofpunishing.Hedeclared her guilty of violating her vows of chastity, although he hadviolated his own niece in an incestuous relationship and ended bycausingherdeath, for shediedas the resultofanabortionduringher

widowhood.Thepriestsweredispatchedatoncetocarryouttheburialandexecution.MeanwhileCornelia invokedtheaidnowofVesta,nowof the other gods, and amidst her many protestations was heard thefrequent cry: ‘How can the Emperor imagine I could have brokenmyvowswhenitwasIwhoperformedthesacredritestobringhimvictoriesand triumphs!’ It isnotknownwhether she said this inmockeryor tosoften the Emperor’s heart, through confidence in herself or out ofcontemptforhim,butshecontinuedtorepeatituntilshewasledtoherdeath.Whethershewasinnocentornot,shecertainlyappearedtobeso.Moreover, when she was taken down into the famous undergroundchamberandherrobecaughtasshedescended,assheturnedtofreeitthe assassin offered her his hand; but she drew away in disgust andthrusthisloathsometouchfromherpureandspotlesspersonasifbyalast act of chastity, and then, with due observance of the rules of

modesty, like Polyxena she ‘took great care to fall in decent fashion’.2

Furthermore, when Celer, the Roman knight charged with being heraccomplice, was publicly scourged, he never ceased to demand thereasonandinsistthathehaddonenothing.

ConsequentlyDomitianwasinfuriatedbythehatredhehadincurredforhis crueltyand injustice,andarrestedLicinianuson thegroundsofhaving hidden one of Cornelia’s freedwomen on his estate. Licinianuswas advised by those interested in him that if he wished to escape apublic scourging he should have recourse to confession and beg formercy. This he did. Herennius Senecio spoke for him in his absence,

ratherafterthestyleofthewell-known‘Patroclusisdead’;1for‘Icomehere as amessenger, not adefending counsel,’ he said: ‘Licinianushaswithdrawnhisdefence.’ThispleasedDomitiansomuchthathebetrayed

himselfbyhisdelight. ‘Licinianushasacquittedus!’hecried,andevenwent so far as to say there was no need to follow up his reasons forsubmission. Licinianus was accordingly granted permission to removeanyof his possessions he could before theywere confiscated, andwasgiven easy conditions of exile as a reward. Later, however, he wasallowedtomovetoSicilythroughthegenerosityofthedeifiedEmperorNerva,andthereheisteachingtoday(andavenginghimselfonFortuneinhisintroductions).

You see how readily I obey your orders, sending you news fromabroadaswellaswritingaboutcityaffairs,andgoingintoallthedetails;forIfeltsurethatasyouwereawayatthetimeyouwouldhaveheardnothingaboutLicinianusexcepthissentenceofbanishmentforviolatinga Vestal Gossip gives only the gist of events, not their sequence. Ideservetohavealetterfromyouinreturntellingmewhatishappeningin your town and neighbourhood – there is always something worthmentioning.Infacttellmewhateveryoulike,onlyseethatyourletterisas long as mine. I shall count not only the pages but every line andsyllable.

12.ToMaturusArrianus

IknowyouareveryfondofEgnatiusMarcellinus,whenyouarealwaysrecommendinghimtome,andyouwilllovehimallthemorewhenyouhearofsomethinghedidrecentlyduringhisserviceabroadasquaestor.Hehadinhispossessionasumofmoneyintendedforthesalaryofthesecretary allotted to himwho had died before the day his salary wasdue;and,feelingstronglythatheoughtnottoretainthis,heconsulted

theEmperoronhisreturn,andwithhispermissiontheSenate,toknowwhatwastobedonewithit.Itwasasmallpoint,butagenuineone.Thesecretary’s heirs claimed the money for themselves and the Treasuryofficials for the State. The case was brought to court, where therepresentativesoftheheirsandtheStatespokeinturn,bothverymuchto the point; then Baebius Macer proposed that the money should begiven to the heirs andCaecilius Strabo that it should be paid into theTreasury. This latter proposal was carried, but do give Marcellinus awordofpraise,asIdidonthespot;for,althoughheisamplyrewardedbyhavingwontheapprovaloftheEmperorandtheSenate,hewillstillbegladtohaveyourtribute.Everyonewhoisinfluencedbythoughtsofhonour and reputation takes an extraordinary pleasure in words ofpraiseandappreciationevenfromalessermanthanhimself,andinyourcaseMarcellinushassuchahighregardforyouthathesetsgreatstorebyyouropinion.And,besides, ifheknows that thenewsofhisactionhasreachedasfarasyourears,hecannothelpbeingdelightedtothinkthathisfamehasspreadsofarandtravelledsofast.Forsomereasonitiswidespreadratherthanoutstandingfamewhichmostmenprefer.

13.ToCorneliusTacitus

Iamglad tohearofyoursafearrival inRome: it isalways thenews Iwantmost,andparticularlysojustnow.Ishallhavetostayafewmore

daysinTusculum1 tofinishsomeworkIambusywith,forIamafraidthatifIletmypresentconcentrationslackennowthatIamsoneartheendIshallfinditdifficulttostartagain.Meanwhile,tolosenotimeinmy impatience, here is a begging letter as a sort of forerunner to the

requestI intendtomakeinperson;butyoumustfirsthearthereasonsforthis.

Iwasvisitingmynativetownashorttimeagowhentheyoungsonofafellow-citizencametopayhisrespectstome.‘Doyougotoschool?’I

asked. ‘Yes,’hereplied. ‘Where?’ ‘InMediolanum.’2 ‘Whynothere?’Tothis the boy’s father (who had brought him and was standing by)replied: ‘Because we have no teachers here.’ ‘Why not? Surely it is amatterofgreatimportancetoyoufathers(andluckilytherewereseveralfathers listening) that your children should study here on the spot?Wherecantheylivemorehappilythanintheirnativeplace?Wherecantheybebroughtupmore strictly thanunder theirparent’seyeorwithlessexpensethanathome?Ifyouputyourmoneytogether,whatwoulditcostyoutoengageteachers?Andyoucouldaddtotheirsalarieswhatyounowspendonlodgings,travelling-expenses,andallthethingswhichcostmoney away from home – and thatmeans everything. Now, as Ihavenotyetanychildrenofmyown,Iampreparedtocontributeathirdofwhateversumyoudecidetocollect,asapresentforourtownsuchasImight give to a daughter ormymother. Iwould promise thewholeamount were I not afraid that someday my gift might be abused forsomeone’s selfish purposes, as I see happen in many places whereteachers’salariesarepaidfrompublicfunds.Thereisonlyoneremedytomeet this evil: if the appointment of teachers is left entirely to theparents,andtheyareconscientiousaboutmakingawisechoicethroughtheir obligation to contribute to the cost. Peoplewhomay be carelessabout another person’smoney are sure to be careful about their own,and theywill see that only a suitable recipient shall be found formymoneyifheisalsotohavetheirown.Soyoushouldmeetandcometo

someagreement; be encouragedbymygenerosity, for Iwantmyowncontribution to be as large as possible. You can do nothing better foryour children,nothingmorewelcome forour town.The childrenbornhereshouldbebroughtupontheirnativesoil,sothatfromtheirearliestyearstheymaylearntoloveitandchoosetostayathome.Ihopethatyou will introduce teachers of repute, so that nearby towns will seekeducationhere,and, insteadofsendingyourchildrenelsewhereasyoudotoday,youwillseeotherchildrenflockingheretoyou.’

IthoughtIoughttogiveyouafullaccountofthisincidentfromthestartsothatyoumaybeassuredofmygratitudeifyouwillcarryoutmyrequest. I am prompted to make it by the genuine importance of thematter. From amongst the many students who gather round you inadmirationforyourabilities,willyoupleaselookforteachersforustoinvite here, but on the understanding that I am not committed toanyone?Iamleavingeverythingopenfortheparents:thedecisionandchoicearetobetheirs–allIwantistomakethearrangementsandpaymyshare.Soifyoufindanyonewhohasconfidenceinhisability,sendhim to us, as long as he understands that his confidence is the onlycertaintyhebrings!

14.ToPlinius(?)Paternus

Perhapsyouwantaspeechofmineasusualandareexpectingone,butIhave some trifles tooffer, something choiceandexotic frommy store.With this letter you will receive some hendecasyllables of mine withwhich I amusemyself when I have time to spare in my carriage, mybath,oratdinner.Herearemyjokesandwitticisms,myloves,sorrows,

complaintsandvexations;nowmy style is simple,nowmoreelevated,andItrythroughvarietytoappealtodifferenttastesandproduceafewthings to please everyone. But if some of the passages strike you asratherindelicate,yourreadingoughttotellyouhowmanydistinguishedand serious writers in dealing with such themes neither avoidedlascivioussubjectsnorrefrainedfromexpressingtheminplainlanguage.If I have shrunk from this, it is not becausemy principles are stricterthantheirs(whyshouldtheybe?)butbecauseIamlesscourageous;andyetIknowthatthebestruleforthiskindofthingistheoneinCatullus,when he says that ‘the true poet should be chaste himself, though hispoetryneednotbe,foritmustberelaxedandfreefromrestraintifitis

tohavewitandcharm’.1

Youcan judgehowmuch I valueyouropinion from the fact that Ihavepreferred to submit thewholework toyour criticism rather thanpickoutpassagesforyoutoadmire,thoughadmittedlytheselosesomeof their excellence if they show signs of monotony. Moreover, anintelligent and discerning reader should not compare totally differentpassages, but should judge each one on its ownmerits, nor think oneinferiortoanotherifeachisperfectofitsownkind.HereIwillstop,forto excuse or recommend my follies in a long preamble would be theheightof folly.One thing I think Imust tellyounow: I intend togivethesetriflesofminethetitleof ‘hendecasyllables’,whichrefersonlytothe metre in which they are written. You call them what you like –epigrams,idylls,eclogues,orsimply‘shortpoems’,whichisthepopularname, but I shall stick tomy ‘hendecasyllables’. Please behonest, andtellmenowwhatyouarelikelytosayaboutmybooktosomeoneelse.Itisnotmuchtoask,forifthislittleworkweremychieforsoleeffortit

mightpossiblyseemunkindtotellmeto‘findsomethingelsetodo’;butthere is nothing unkind in the gentle reminder that I ‘have somethingelsetodo’.

15.ToMiniciusFundanus

IfanythingisproofthatIdonotlackjudgement,itmustbemyspecialaffection for Asinius Rufus. He is an exceptional person, the devotedadmirerofeverygoodcitizen,ofwhomIhopeImaycountmyselfone.HeisalsotheclosefriendofCorneliusTacitus,andyouknowthesortofmanTacitus is. So, if you thinkhighlyofusboth, you should feel thesame about Rufus, since there is no stronger bond in friendship thansimilarityofcharacter.Hehasseveralchildren,forheretoohehasdonehis duty as a good citizen, and has chosen to enjoy the blessing of afruitfulmarriageata timewhen theadvantagesof remainingchildlessmakemostpeoplefeelasinglechildaburden.Suchadvantageshehasscorned, and has in fact sought the title of grandfather: and agrandfatherhe is, thanks tohis son-in-lawSaturiusFirmus,whomyouwillappreciateasmuchasIdowhenyouknowhimaswell.

All this is to showyouwhat a large andnumerous family you canoblige by a single service, which I am led to seek through my owndesiresandalsobymyfeelingofgoodomenforthefuture.Iamanxiousforyoutoholdtheconsulshipnextyear,andprophesythatyouwilldoso,forbothyourownmeritsandtheEmperor’sdiscernmentsurelypointthat way. It happens that this will be the year when Asinius Bassus,Rufus’seldest son,willbequaestor,and thisyoungman isevenbetterthan his father, though I hesitate to saywhat the father wantsme to

thinkandsaybutthesonistoomodesttoallow.Itisdifficultforyoutotakemyword(thoughyouusuallytrustme)fortheexceptionalindustryandhonesty,learningandability,applicationandmemoryofamanyouhavenotmet,butyouwilldiscoverallwhenyouknowhim.IonlywishourtimeswererichenoughinmeritfortheretobeothersyououghttoprefertoBassus.Ishouldthenbethefirsttoadviseyouseriouslytolookroundand take time to consider beforemakingyour choice.As thingsare–but Idonotwant topresumetoo far in speakingofmy friend; Iwillonlysaythattheyoungmanisworthytobetreatedasyourson,asour forefathers did their quaestors. Wise officials like yourself shouldwelcometheseyoungmenaschildrengivenbytheState,tostandinthesamepositionas the sonswehopenaturewill giveus all. Itwill befityour status as consul for you to have a quaestor whose father was apraetorandwhoserelativeswereconsuls,andonewhointheiropinionalreadydoesthemcreditevenathisearlyage.

Sograntmyprayers, takemyadvice,but firstofall forgiveme if Iseem to be hurrying matters. Affection usually runs ahead with itsdemands, and, besides, in a country where opportunities have to beseizedforanythingtobedone, if thingswait for theirdueseasontheyripen not in time, but too late; and, finally, anticipation of the objectdesiredbringsitsownpleasure.GiveBassustheopportunitytowaitonyouashisconsul,andgivehimyouraffectionasyourquaestor;andletme enjoy a twofoldhappiness inmy love for youboth.My regard foryou andBassus is such that I shoulduse allmy resources, energy andinfluence to help Bassus to be elected quaestor to any consul, and tosupport your quaestor whoever he might be: so it will give me greatpleasureifmyinterestscanbecentredinthesameyoungman,thanksto

mydoublefriendshipandyourprospectiveconsulship;ifinfactitisyouwhowillfurthermywishesbygivinghimyoursupport,seeingthattheSenate is so ready to accept your decisions and has the highestconfidenceinyourrecommendations.

16.ToValeriusPaulinus

Rejoice, I tell you, onmy account and your own, and no less for ourcountry;fororatoryisstillheldinhonour.WhenIwasonmywaytheotherdaytopleadbeforetheCentumviralCourt,therewasnoroomleftfor me to take my place except by way of the magistrates’ bench,throughtheirassembledranks,astherestofthefloorwascrowded.Andthenayoungpatricianwhohadhadhisclothingtorn,asoftenhappensin a crowd, stayed on clad in nothing but his toga to listen for sevenhours–whichwasthelengthofthespeechImade,onewhichcostmemuch effort but brought a greater reward. So we must work at ourprofessionandnotmakeanyoneelse’s idlenessanexcuse forourown.There is no lack of readers and listeners; it is for us to producesomethingworthbeingwrittenandheard.

17.ToClusiniusGallus

I have your reminder of the case Gaius Caecilius, the consul-elect, isbringing against Corellia, and your request that I take charge of thedefenceinherabsence.Thankyouforthereminder,butImustprotestagainst the request. I know I need to be reminded for my owninformation,butIoughtnottobeaskedtodowhatwouldbedisgraceful

for me to leave undone. How can I hesitate to defend a daughter of

Corellius?It istruethatIamonfriendlythoughnotonintimatetermswiththemanyouaskmetooppose;thereis,moreover,hispositiontoconsiderandtheofficetowhichhehasbeenelected,forwhichIfeelaspecial respect as I have already held it myself, and it is natural foranyone to wish high honour to a position he has once occupied. Butevery other consideration fades into insignificance beside the thoughtthatitisCorellius’sdaughterwhomIamtodefend.

Icanseehimnow, thegreatest influence, thepurestcharacter,andthemostpenetratingintellectofourage.Icametolovehimthroughmyadmiration, and, contrary to the general rule, when I knew himintimatelyIadmiredhimevenmore.ForIdidknowhimintimately;hekeptnothinghiddenfromme,whethergraveorgay,joyorsorrow.Iwasonlyayoungmanatthetime,andyetheshowedmetheregardand,Iwillventuretosay,therespecthewouldhaveshownanequal.WhenIsoughtofficehegavemehis supportas sponsor, Iwas introducedandattendedbyhimwhenIentereduponmyduties,andhadhimforguideandcounsellorwhileIdischargedthem.Indeed,throughoutmyofficialcareer he displayed the vigour of youth, despite his failing health andadvancing age. What a reputation he built up for me, personal andpublic,until itevenreachedtheearsoftheEmperor!Fortherewasanoccasionwhen a discussion arose before theEmperorNerva about thepromising youngmen of the day and several people were singingmypraises;foratimeCorelliuskeptthesilencewhichusedtogivehisnextwords such weight, and then, in the impressive tones you willremember, ‘Imustbemoderate inmypraiseofPliny,’he said, ‘seeingthathehasmyadviceforeverythinghedoes.’Inthesewordshepaidme

a tribute far beyond what I could have presumed to hope for, inimplyingthatIdidnothingwhichfellshortofthehighestwisdom,sinceIdideverythingwiththeadviceof thewisestofmen.Moreover,whenhewasdyinghetoldhisdaughter(itisshewhotellsthestory)thathehadmademanyfriendsforherinthecourseofalonglife,butnonelikePlinyandCornutusTertullus.

IcanneverrecallthiswithoutrealizingthatImustendeavournottofail in any degree the trust placed inme by one so thoughtful for thefuture. So I am very ready to appear for Corellia, andwill not shrinkfromgivingoffencebydoing so; andyet I venture tohope forpardonandevenpraise fromtheveryopponentwhoisbringingwhatyoucallthis novel form of action (possibly because it is directed against awoman)if Ihaveanopportunityinthecourseofmydefencetogiveafullerexpressiontothesethoughts thanispossible inthe limitedspaceofa letter,hoping thereby towin forgivenessorevenapproval formyconduct.

18.ToArriusAntoninus

IhavebeentryingtomakeasuccessfulLatintranslationofsomeofyourGreek epigrams; can I give you any better proof ofmy admiration?Achangefortheworse,Iknow,themainreasonbeingtheinadequacyofmyowntalent,and then the limitations,or ratherwhatLucretiuscalls

‘the poverty of our native tongue’.1 But if these translations-into Latinand by me-retain for you any of their charm, you can imagine thedelightItakeintheoriginals–writteninGreekandbyyou!

19.ToCalpurniaHispulla

You are a model of family affection, and loved your excellent anddevotedbrotherasdearlyashe lovedyou;you lovehisdaughteras ifshewereyourown,and,byfillingtheplaceofthefathershelost,youaremorethananaunttoher.Iknowthenhowgladyouwillbetohearthat she has proved herself worthy of her father, her grandfather andyou.Sheishighlyintelligentandacarefulhousewife,andherdevotiontomeisasureindicationofhervirtue.Inaddition,thislovehasgivenheraninterestinliterature:shekeepscopiesofmyworkstoreadagainandagainandeven learnbyheart. She is soanxiouswhen sheknowsthat Iamgoingtoplead incourt,andsohappywhenall isover! (Shearranges to be kept informed of the sort of reception and applause Ireceive,andwhatverdictIwininthecase.)IfIamgivingareadingshesits behind a curtain near by and greedily drinks in every word ofappreciation.Shehasevensetmyversestomusicandsingsthem,totheaccompanimentofherlyre,withnomusiciantoteachherbutthebestofmasters,love.

All this gives me the highest reason to hope that our mutualhappinesswilllastforeverandgoonincreasingdaybyday,forshedoesnot love me for my present age nor my person, which will graduallygrowoldanddecay,butformyaspirationstofame;norwouldanyotherfeelings be suitable for one brought up by your hands and trained inyour precepts, who has seen only what was pure and moral in yourcompany and learned to love me on your recommendation. For yourespectedmymother-likeadaughter,andhavegivenmeguidanceandencouragement since my boyhood; you always foretold that I should

become theman I am now in the eyes ofmywife. Please accept our

unitedthanksforhavinggivenhertomeandmetoherasifchosenforeachother.

20.ToNoviusMaximus

IgaveyoumyviewsoneachsectionofyourbookasIfinishedreadingit;nowyoushallhavemygeneralopinionoftheworkasawhole.Itisanobleachievement,powerfulandpenetrating: its language isdignified,varied and well chosen, the style pure and rich in metaphor, thecomprehensivescalehasabreadthwhichwillwinyourecognition.Youaresweptonbytheforceofgeniusaswellasofindignation,andthesehave reinforced each other; genius has added dignity and grandeur to.yourindignation,andthisinitsturnhasgivenyourgeniuspowerandfury.

21.ToVeliusCerealis

This premature death of Helvidius’s daughters is tragic – both sistersgivingbirthtogirlsanddyinginlabour.Iamdeeplydistressed,andnotunduly,forthesewerenobleyoungwomeninthefloweroftheiryouthandImustmourntoseethemthevictimsoftheirmotherhood.Igrievetoo for theplightof their infants leftmotherlessatbirth,and for theirexcellenthusbands,andIgrievenolessonmyownaccount;formylovefortheirfatherhasremainedconstantsincehisdeath,asmydefenceofhimandmypublishedspeechesbearwitness.Nowonlyoneofhisthreechildrensurvives,leftasthesolepropandstayofafamilywhichnotso

longagohadmanymemberstosupportit.ButifFortunewillkeephim

atleastsafeandsound,andmakehimasfineamanashisfatherandhisgrandfather,Icantakecomfortinmysorrow.Iamallthemoreanxiousforhissafetyandcharacternowthatheisthelastofhisline.Youknowmy nervous apprehensions for anyone I love, so you must not besurprisedatmyfearsbeingworstwheremyhopesarehighest.

22.ToSemproniusRufus

IhavejustansweredasummonstoactasassessortoournobleEmperor

during an inquiry he is holding on the gymnastic games at Vienna.1

Theseusedtobecelebratedunderthetermsofsomeperson’swilluntilTreboniusRufinus(adistinguishedcitizenandafriendofmine)becamealocalmagistrateandtookstepstohavethemsuppressedandabolished.It was then claimed that he had no official power to do this. Rufinusspoke eloquently in his own defence andwon his case; for his speechwon favour by the promptitude and dignity, suitable to a true Romanandagoodcitizen,withwhichhedealtwithapersonalissue.Whenthemagistrateswereaskedinturnfortheirverdict,thatstaunchchampionof honesty, Junius Mauricus, declared that the games should not berestored at Vienna, and added that he wished they could also beabolished at Rome. This showed great courage and resolution on hispart, you will say, but surely this is nothing new for Mauricus. HedisplayedthesamecourageinthehearingoftheEmperorNerva.NervawasdiningwithasmallpartywhereVeientowashisneighbourattable,andwasevenleaningonhisshoulder–Ineeddonomorethannamethecreature. The conversation turned on the blind Catullus Messalinus

whoselossofsightbadincreasedhiscrueldisposition,sothatheknewneither fear, shame nor pity, and consequently was often used byDomitian to aim at honestmen like aweaponwhich flies blindly andunthinkinglytoitsmark.EveryoneattablewastalkingfreelyabouthisvillainyandmurderousdecisionswhentheEmperorsaid:‘Iwonderwhatwould have happened to him if he were alive today.’ ‘He would bediningwithus’,saidMauricus.

I have wandered rather far from the point, but not howeverunintentionally.ItwasdecidedtoabolishthegamesatVienna,fortheyhadlongbeenacorruptinginfluenceinthetown.Inthesamewayourgames at Rome spread a more general corruption, since the vices ofViennagonofartherthantheirtown,butourstravelfarandwide.Themost serious diseases of the body, personal or politic, are thosewhichspreadfromthehead.

23.ToPomponiusBassus

Iwas delighted tohear fromourmutual friends that you are showingyournaturalwisdominplanningandspendingyourretirement.Youliveinalovelyspot,youcantakeexerciseontheshoreandinthesea,andhavenolackofconversationorbookstoreadandhavereadtoyou,sothateverydayyoucanaddsomethingtoyourstoreofknowledge.Thisis the rightway togrowold for amanwhohasheld thehighest civiloffices,commandedarmies,anddevotedhimselfentirely totheserviceoftheStateas longasitwasproperforhimtodoso. It isourdutytogiveupouryouthandmanhood toourcountry,hutour lastyearsareour own; this the law itself suggests in permitting the old to retire. I

wonder when this will be permitted me – when shall I reach thehonourable age which will allow me to follow your example of agracefulretirement,whenmywithdrawalwillnotbetermedlazinessbutratheradesireforpeace?

24.ToFabiusValens

Theotherday,whenIhadjustfinishedaddressingajointsessionofthefour panels of the Centumviral Court, I remembered a speechwhich Ihad made as a young man in the same court. As usual my thoughtstravelled on, and I began to reckon up the people with whom I hadworked on the present occasion and the earlier one. I was the onlypersonpresentwhohadspokeninbothcases;sucharethechangesdueto mortal frailty or the fickleness of fortune. Some of those who hadspokenthenaredead,othersareinexile:ageandill-healthhassilencedone man, another has chosen to enjoy the blessings of retirement,anotherholdsamilitarycommand,andanotherhasgivenuphiscareertobecometheEmperor’spersonalfriend.InmyowncaseIhaveknownmany changes. My profession brought me advancement, then danger,then advancement again; I was helped by my friendship with honestmen, then injured, and now helped again. If you add up the years itwouldnot seemvery long,but itwouldbea lifetime if you count thechangesoffortune.Thisshouldbeawarningnevertoloseheartandtobe sure of nothing, when we see so many fluctuations of fortunefollowingeachother in rapid succession. It isahabitofmine to sharemy thoughtswith you and to set out for your guidance the rules andexampleswhich shapemy own conduct. Thatwas the purpose of this

letter.

25.ToMaesiusMaximus

I toldyou inmy last letter1 that therewasa riskof the secretballot’sleadingtoabuses,andthishasalreadyhappened.Attherecentelectionsome of the voting papers were found to have jokes and obscenitiesscribbled on them, and on one the names of the candidates werereplaced by those of their sponsors. This incensed the Senate andmembers clamoured for thewrathof theEmperor tobevisitedon theculprit;buthekeptquietandundetected–hemayevenhavejoinedinthe general indignation. If this man can play such ribald tricks in animportant matter on a serious occasion, and thinks the Senate is theplacewherehecanpassforanimblewitandafinefellow,whatareweto suppose his personal conduct can be? This is the confidenceunprincipled characters derive from the assurance that ‘No one willknow’.Thismancouldaskforavoting-paper,takeapen,andbendhishead to write, with neither fear of anyone nor any self-respect. Theresultwasthatribaldryfitfornothingbutthevulgarstage.Whereisonetoturninsearchofaremedy?Everywherethediseasehasgonetoofartobechecked.‘Butthiswillconcernthepowerabove’whosedailytaskof vigilance is greatly increased by the futile impudence in ourmidstwhichwecannotcontrol.

26.ToMaeciliusNepos

Youwantmetore-readandcorrectthecopiesofmyspeecheswhichyou

have assembled with such care. Of course I will, for there is nothing

whichIoughttodosogladly,especiallyatyourrequest.Whenamanofyour judgement, scholarship and eloquence (andmoreover as busy asyourself and the future governor of an important province) thinksmywritingsworthcarryingaroundwithhim,Ishouldsurelydomyutmostto see that this itemof luggage isnot auseless encumbrance.My firstcare then shall be to make your present travelling companions ascongenialaspossible;andmysecond toprovideyouwithmorewhichyoumayhiretoaddtothemonyourreturn.Thefactthatyouareoneofmyreadersisnosmallencouragementtonewwork.

27.ToPompeiusFalco

ForthelastthreedaysIhavebeenpresentatareadinggivenbySentiusAugurinuswhichgavemegreatpleasureandfilledmewithadmirationforhisworks.Hecallsthem‘shortpoems’.Manyaresimple,manyinthegrand style:many are full of delicate charm and express either tenderfeeling or indignation. It ismany years, I think, since anything of thiskind has attained such perfection, unlessmy judgement is affected bymy feeling for Augurinus or the fact that he has paidme a tribute intaking my occasional attempts at versifying as a theme. You may bejudgeofmyopinionifIcanrememberthesecondlineofthis:Ihavealltheothersclearinmymind.

Myverseislightandtender,asCatulluslongago,ButwhatcareIforpoetspast,whenImyPlinyknow?Outsidethecourtsinmutualloveandsonghemakeshisname;Youloversandyoustatesmen,toPlinyyieldyourfame!

Thiswillgiveyouanideaofthewitandpolishedperfectionofhisstyle,andIcanpromiseyouthatit isatruespecimenofthewholebook.AssoonasitispublishedIwillsendittoyou.Meanwhile,givetheyoungpoetyouraffection,andcongratulateourageonhavingproducedsuchtalentalliedtofinecharacter.HespendsmuchtimewithSpurinnaandAntoninus,beingrelated tooneand theclose friendofboth,and fromthisyoumayestimatethemeritofayoungmanwhohasthuswontheaffectionofhiseldersandsuperiorsinjudgement.Nothingismoretruethanthat‘youmayknowamanbythecompanyhekeeps’.

28.ToVibiusSeverus

Thewell-knownscholarHerenniusSeverusisveryanxioustohanginhislibrary portraits of your fellow-townsmen, Cornelius Nepos and Titus

Catius,1andasksmetohavetheoriginalscopiedincolourif,asseemslikely, they are in yourpossession. I ampassingonhis request to youratherthananyoneelseforthreereasons:yourusualkindnessinfallinginwithmywishes,yourdeepadmirationforliteratureandwarmfeelingfor its students,andyouraffectionate regard foryournativeplaceandfor all who havemade its name famous. All I ask is that you find asaccurateapainterasyoucan, for it ishardenoughtomakea likenessfromlife,butaportraitfromaportraitisbyfarthemostdifficultofall.Pleasedonotlettheartistyouchoosedepartfromtheoriginaleventoimproveonit.

29.ToRomatiusFirmus1

Nowthen,youreallymustcomealongsomehowtotakeyourplaceonthebenchnexttimethecourtissitting–youcan’trelyonmetoletyousleep soundly; if you default, you will suffer. Along comes our sternpraetorLiciniusNepos:boldman,hehasjustfinedasenator!TheculpritmadehisdefencebeforetheSenate,buthehadtopleadforpardon.Hewasletoffthefine,buthehadafright;hehadneedofmercyandhadtobeg for it.Youmay say that all praetors arenot so strict, but youarewrong there. It may take a strict one to establish or revive such aprecedent,butoncethatisdonethemildestofmencanactonit.

30.ToLiciniusSura2

I havebrought youa small present frommynativeplace – aproblemfully worthy of your great learning. There is a spring which has itssource in a mountain and then runs down over the rocks to a smallartificial grotto, where it is caught and held for a time; then it flowsdownintoLakeComo.Thisisitsremarkablefeature:threetimesadayitfillsandemptieswitharegularincreaseanddecreaseofwater,andthiscan be seen quite clearly and is a great pleasure towatch. You settleyourselfclosebyforamealandalsoadrinkfromtheice-coldwaterofthespring;meanwhileitebbsandflowsatregularintervals.Putaringor anything else on themarginwhere it is dry, and thewaters gentlycreepover it until it is covered, then reveal it again as theygraduallyrecede. If youwatch long enough you can see the process repeated asecondandthirdtime.

Istheresomehiddencurrentofairwhichopensandclosesthevent

and outlet of the spring, possibly by blocking the way on entry andleavingitfreewhenforcedout?Weseethishappeninthecaseofbottlesand similar vessels with narrow restricted necks, which, though tilteddownwards, pour out their contents in jerks with a repeated gulpingsound as if checked by the opposing inrush of air. Or is the springsubstantially the same as the sea, so that its lesser volumeofwater isalternatelydrivenbackandforthbythesamelawswhichgoverntheebbandflowofthetide?Oristheresomethingtodrivebacktheoutflowofthespringinthesamewayasriversflowingintotheseaareturnedbackif they meet an opposing force of wind and tide? Or is there a fixedsupplyofwaterinahiddenchannel,sothatthestreamdiminishesandflows slowly while water accumulates after it has emptied, but flowsfasterandincreaseswhenthesupplyissufficient?Oristheresomeforceofwaterhiddenoutofsightwhichsetsthespringinmotionwhenithasdrainedaway,butchecksandcutsofftheflowwhenithasfilledup?Itisforyoutoinvestigatethecauseofthisphenomenon,asyouhavetheability.IhavedonemorethanenoughifIhavemanagedtodescribeitclearly.

BOOKFIVE

1.ToAnniusSeverus

Ihavejustcomeinforalegacy:notalargeone,butmorewelcomethana substantial sum for reasonswhich Iwill explain.Thedonor,AsudiusCurianus, had previously been disinherited by his mother, PomponiaGalla,whohadthendividedherestatebetweenmyself,thesenatorandex-praetor Sertorius Severus, and several distinguishedRoman knights.Curianushadbeggedmetopresenthimwithmyshareandhelphimbysettingaprecedent,onthetacitunderstandingthatheshouldeventuallyrestorethecapitaluntouched.Irepliedthatitwasnotmynaturetodoonething inpublicandanother inprivate,nordid I think ithonest tomake a present ofmoney to a rich and childlessman; in short, that Icoulddohimnogoodbygivinghimmyshare,buthewouldbenefitifIwaivedmyclaimtoit.ThisIwaswillingtodoonlyifIwassatisfiedthathehadbeenunfairlydisinherited.Hethenaskedmetoholdaninquiry,and after some hesitation I agreed, remarking that as he apparentlythoughtmecapableofdoingsoIsawnoreasonnottosharehisopinion,butremindinghimthatIshouldnothesitatetopronouncejudgementinfavourofhismotherifthatwasmyhonestopinion.HetoldmetoactasIthoughtfit,asthatwassuretobefair.Itheninvitedthesupportofthe

twomostrespectedcitizensoftheday,CorelliusandFrontinus,andthethree of us took our seats inmy room. Curianus put forward his bestarguments, and Imadeabrief replymyself, for therewasnoone elsepresent to defend thehonour of the deceased. Then afterwithdrawingforconsultationItoldhimourjointdecision:namelythatwefoundhismotherhadajustreasonforherdispleasurewithhim.

Subsequentlyheservedanoticeontheotherheirs,thoughnotonme,ofacharge tobebroughtbefore theCentumviralCourt.As theday fixedfor thecaseapproached,myco-heirswereanxious to compromiseandsettleoutofcourt,notoutofanylackofconfidenceintheircause,butthroughdistrustofthetimes;theyfearedthefatetheyhadseenovertakemany another – that they might leave the Centumviral Court with acriminalcaseagainstthem.Someofthem,too,couldbemadetosuffer

fortheirfriendshipwithGratillaandRusticus.1TheythereforeaskedmetospeaktoCurianus,andImethimin the templeofConcord.There Iput this question: ‘Would you have any cause for complaint if your

mother had left you the statutory fourth part of her estate,2 or if youweremadehersoleheir,butwithsomanylegaciestobepaidoutthatyoursharewasreducedtoafourth?Thenyoushouldbesatisfiedifyouaregivenafourthsharebyyourmother’sheirs,afterbeingdisinheritedyourselfHowever, Iwill add something to itmyself. Youmust realizethat you have brought no action against me, and the two years haveelapsed which establish my claim. But to make you more willing tonegotiatewiththeothersandpreventyourlosinganythingbyshowingmespecialconsideration,Iampreparedtogiveyouasumequivalenttomyshare.’

Ihavehadmyrewardinreputationaswellasagoodconscience,foritisthisCurianuswhohasleftmealegacyandpaidthisnotabletributetomyconduct–conductwhich(unlessIflattermyself)wasinthebesttradition.IhavetoldyouthistalesinceIalwaystalkaboutallmyjoysand sorrowsas freely toyouas Iwould tomyself, and thenbecause IthoughtitcrueltodenymybestfriendapleasurewhichIwasenjoying.Nor am I enoughof aphilosopher to remainquite indifferentwhetherwhatIbelievetobeagooddeedofmineistowinsomejustreward.

2.ToCalpurniusFlaccus

Thankyouforthefinefield-fares,butbeingatLaurentumIcan’tmatchthemwithanything fromtown,norcan I sendyouany fishas longastheweatherissobad.Soallyouwillgetisaletterwhichcomesempty-handed, nothing but thanks without any of Diomedes’ ingenuity in

exchanginggifts.1However, I knowyouare kind enough tobe all thereadiertoexcusewhereanexcuseisadmittedlyundeserved.

3.ToTitiusAristo

Ihavemanywelcomeactsofkindnesstothankyoufor,butyoudomeareal serviceby thinking Iought toknowthatmyverseshavebeen thesubject of much discussion at your house, a discussion which wasprolonged because of difference of opinion. There were some people,yousay,whohadnocriticismtomakeoftheactualpoems,butthoughtI deserved their censure – in a frank and friendlyway -for composingand reading them in public. My answer to these critics will probably

aggravate the offence. I admit that I do oftenwrite versewhich is far

fromserious,forIalsolistentocomedy,watchfarces,readlyricpoetry,and appreciate Sotadic2 verse; there are besides times when I laugh,

make jokes,andenjoymy fun, in fact I can sumupall these innocentrelaxations in a word: ‘I am human.’3 I am not complaining if my

character is valued so highly that some people express surprise atmywritingon such themes, if they are themselvesunaware that the samething has often beendone by serious scholars of blameless reputation.ButIamsurethatthosewhorealizewhatfamousauthorshavesetmeanexamplecaneasilybepersuadedtoletmegoastray,solongasIamintheircompany; for it isanhonour to imitate their lighteraswellastheir more serious work. I am not citing a living author, lest I seemexaggerated in my praises, but surely I need not be afraid that thispracticeisunsuitableforme,whenitwasperfectlyproperinthecaseofCicero,C.Calvus,AsiniusPollio,M.Messala,Q.Hortensius,M.Brutus,L.Sulla,Q.Catulus,Q.Scaevola,ServiusSulpicius,Varro,Torquatus(infact all the Torquati), C. Memmius, Lentulus Gaetulicus and AnnaeusSeneca,andalsoVerginiusRufusinourowntimes.Iftheseindividualsare not enough, I can quote the deified Julius Caesar and the deifiedEmperors Augustus and Nerva and Tiberius Caesar. I except Nero,thoughIknowthatwhatistheoccasionalpracticeoftheviciousisnotcorrupted thereby, but retains its integrity through being the usualpracticeofthevirtuous.InthelatterclassVirgil,CorneliusNepos,and,beforetheirdate,AcciusandEnniusmustrankhigh:it istruetheyarenotsenators,butmoralintegrityknowsnoclassdistinctions.

However, it can be said that I give readings of my work without

knowingif theseauthorsdid.SoIdo;but theycouldrestcontentwiththeirownjudgement,whereasIamtoodiffidenttofeelconfidentthatIhavedoneeverything Icantowhathasonlymyownapproval. Ihavetherefore two reasons for reading in public; the reader is made morekeenlycriticalofhisownworkifhestandsinsomeaweofhisaudience,and he has a kind of expert opinion to confirm his decision on anydoubtful point. He receives suggestions from different members, and,failing this, he can infer their various opinions from their expressions,glances, nods, applause,murmurs and silence, signswhichmake clearthedistinctionbetween their critical judgement andpolite assent.Andthenifanyof thecompanyis interestedinreadingwhathehasheard,hewill realize that I shall havemade certain alterations or omissionswhich may perhaps accord with his opinion, although this was neveractually expressed.But now I amarguing this point as if I invited thegeneralpublictoalecturehallinsteadofhavingmyfriendsinmyownroom–thoughifIhavemanyfriendstoinvitethishasbeenasourceofpridetomanypeopleandareproachtonone.

4.ToJuliusValerianus

Thisisasmallmatter,butlikelytogofar.ApraetoriansenatornamedSollersaskedtheSenateforpermissiontoholdaweeklymarketonhis

property.Thiswasopposedby representativesof the townofVicetia,1

with Tuscilius Nominates acting on their behalf, and the case wasadjourneduntilasubsequentmeetingoftheSenate.TheVicetiansthenappeared without anyone to plead for them and said they had beencheated–whetheraverbalslipontheirpartortheirgenuineopinionI

don’t know.Asked by the praetorNeposwhom theyhad instructed toactforthem,theyreplied,‘Thesameasbefore.’Tothequestionwhetherhehad takenon the casewithout a fee, they said that theyhadgivenhim 6,000 sesterces. Had they paid him a second fee? Yes, another4,000.NeposthenissuedasummonstoNominatustoappearbeforethecourtThiswasasfarasthematterwentthatday,butinmyopinionitwillnotendthere,foroftenameretouchisenoughtosetthingsmovingwithfar-reachingconsequences.

Thathasmadeyouprickupyourears,butnowyouwillhavetobegmenicely fora long timebeforeyouhear the restof the story -unlessyoucome toRome first to find it out, and see things foryourself as achangefromreadingaboutthem.

5.ToNoviusMaximus

IhavejustheardthatGaiusFanniusisdead,newswhichhasupsetmeverymuch.NotonlydidIloveandadmirehisgoodtasteandlearning,butIcouldalwaysrelyonhisjudgement;forhisnaturalintelligencehadbeen trainedby experienceandhewasalways readywithanaccurateopinion.Itdistressesme,too,thathehadthemisfortunetodiewithoutmaking a new will, when the old one leaves out some of his dearestfriendsandbenefitspeoplewhoarenowhisenemies.

This ishardbutnotunbearable;muchmore serious is the fact thathehas lefthis finestworkunfinished.Althoughhiscareerat thebar tookupmuchofhistime,hewasbringingoutahistoryofthevariousfatesofthepeopleput todeathorbanishedbyNero.Hisaccuracy in researchand purity of style (which was midway between the discursive and

historical)were evident in the three volumes he had already finished,and hewas all themore anxious to complete the serieswhen he sawhoweagerly the firstbookswere readbya largepublic.Deathalwaysseemstomecruelanduntimelywhenitcomestothosewhoareengagedon some immortal work, for when people abandon themselves topleasureandlivefromdaytoday,theirreasonsforlivingarefinishedaseachdaycomestoanend;butforthosewhothinkofposterityandseektobe remembered in theirworks, death is always sudden as it alwayscuts short some unfinished project. Fannius had in fact had apremonition longagoofwhathasnowhappened.Hedreamed thathewaslyingonhiscouchatdeadofnight,dressedandreadyforwork,andwithhis desk in front of him, just as usual; thenhe fancied thatNeroappeared,satdownonthecouch,tookupthefirstvolumeFanniushadpublishedabouthiscrimes,andreaditthroughtotheend;thenhedidthe same to the second and third volumes, after which he departed.Fannius was horrified, and inferred that his writingwould end at thepointwhereNerostoppedreading;andsoitdid.WhenIrememberthis,Iamfilledwithpityforallthewakefulhourshespentandthetroublehe took,all invain;and I thinkofmyownmortalityandwhat Ihavewritten.Doubtless the same thoughtmakes you equally fearful for theworkyouhaveinhand,sowhilelifelastswemustseethereshallbeaslittleaspossiblefordeathtodestroy.

6.ToDomitiusApollinaris

Iamtouchedbyyourkindconcernwhenyoutry todissuademefrommy intention of staying in Tuscany in summer. You think the place is

unhealthy,butwhileitisperfectlytruethattheTuscanstripofsea-coastis relaxing and dangerous to the health,my property is somedistanceaway from the sea, and is in fact at the very foot of the Apennines,which are considered the healthiest ofmountains. So to rid you of allyour fears on my account, let me tell you about the climate, thecountryside, and the lovely situation of my house, which will be apleasurealikeformetotellandyoutohear.

Theclimateinwinteriscoldandfrosty,andsoquiteimpossibleformyrtles and olives and any other trees which will only flourish in acontinuous mild temperature, but the laurel can grow and does verywell; it is sometimeskilledoffby thecold,butnotoftener than in theneighbourhood of Rome. The summer is wonderfully temperate, forthere isalways somemovementof theair,moreoftenabreeze thanarealwind.Hencethenumberofelderlypeoplelivingthere–youcanseethe grandfathers and great-grandfathers of people who have reachedtheirownmanhood,andhearoldstoriesandtalesofthepast,sothatavisithereislikeareturntoanotherage.

The countryside is very beautiful. Picture to yourself a vastamphitheatre such as could only be a work of nature; the greatspreadingplainisringedroundbymountains,theirsummitscrownedbyancientwoodsoftalltrees,wherethereisagooddealofmixedhuntingto be had. Down the mountain slopes are timber woods interspersedwithsmallhillsofsoilsorichthatthereisscarcelyarockyoutcroptobefound;thesehillsarefullyasfertileasthelevelplainandyieldquiteasrichaharvest, though it ripens rather later in the season.Below themthevineyards spreadingdownevery slopeweave theiruniformpattern

farandwide,theirlowerlimitborderedbyabeltofshrubs.Thencomethemeadowsandcornfields,where the landcanbebrokenuponlybyheavy oxen and the strongest ploughs, for the soil is so stiff that it isthrown up in great clods at the first ploughing and is not thoroughlybrokenuntilithasbeengoneoverninetimes.Themeadowsarebrightwithflowers,coveredwithtrefoilandotherdelicateplantswhichalwaysseem soft and fresh, for everything is fed by streamswhich never rundry;thoughthegroundisnotmarshywherethewatercollects,becauseof its downward slope, so that any surplus water it cannot absorb isdrainedoff into the riverTiber flowing through the fields.The river isnavigable,sothatallproduceisconveyedtoRomebyboat,butonlyinwinterandspring–insummeritslevelfallsanditsdrybedhastogiveupitsclaimtothetitleofagreatriveruntilthefollowingautumn.Itisagreatpleasuretolookdownonthecountrysidefromthemountain, forthe view seems to be a painted scene of unusual beauty rather than areallandscape,andtheharmonytobefoundinthisvarietyrefreshestheeyewhereveritturns.

Myhouse is on the lower slopesof ahill but commandsas goodaviewas if itwerehigherup, for thegroundrises sogradually that theslopeisimperceptible,andyoufindyourselfatthetopwithoutnoticingtheclimb.BehinditistheApenninerange,thoughsomewayoff,sothatevenonastillandcloudlessdaythereisabreezefromthemountains,butonewhichhashaditsforcebrokenbythedistancesothatitisnevercutting nor boisterous. It faces mainly south, and so from middayonwardsinsummer(alittleearlierinwinter)itseemstoinvitethesuninto thecolonnade.This isbroad,and long inproportion,with severalrooms opening out of it as well as the old-fashioned type of entrance

hall.

Infrontofthecolonnadeisaterracelaidoutwithboxhedgesclippedintodifferentshapes,fromwhichabankslopesdown,alsowithfiguresofanimalscutoutofboxfacingeachotheroneitherside.Onthelevelbelowtherewaves–orImighthavesaidripples–abedofacanthus.Allround is a path hedged by bushes which are trained and cut intodifferent shapes,and thenadrive,oval likea racecourse, insidewhicharevariousbox figuresandclippeddwarf shrubs.Thewholegarden isenclosedbyadry-stonewallwhichishiddenfromsightbyaboxhedgeplantedintiers;outsideisameadow,aswellworthseeingforitsnaturalbeautyastheformalgardenIhavedescribed;thenfieldsandmanymoremeadowsandwoods.

From the end of the colonnade projects a dining-room: through itsfoldingdoorsitlooksontotheendoftheterrace,theadjacentmeadow,andthestretchofopencountrybeyond,whilefromitswindowsononesidecanbeseenpartoftheterraceandtheprojectingwingofthehouse,on the other the tree-tops in the enclosure of the adjoining riding-ground.Almostoppositethemiddleofthecolonnadeisasuiteofroomssetslightlybackandroundasmallcourtshadedbyfourplanetrees.Inthecentrea fountainplays inamarblebasin,watering theplane treesrounditandthegroundbeneaththemwithitslightspray.Inthissuiteisabedroomwhichnodaylight,voice,norsoundcanpenetrate,andnextto itan informaldining-roomwhere Ientertainmypersonal friends; itlookson to the small courtyard, thecolonnade,and theview fromthecolonnade.Thereisalsoanotherroom,greenandshadyfromthenearestplanetree,whichhaswallsdecoratedwithmarbleuptotheceilingand

afresco(whichisnolessattractive)ofbirdsperchedonthebranchesoftrees.Hereisasmallfountainwithabowlsurroundedbytinyjetswhichtogether make a lovely murmuring sound. At the corner of thecolonnade is a large bedroom facing the dining-room; some windowslookoutontotheterrace,othersontothemeadow,whilejustbelowthewindows in front is anornamentalpool, apleasureboth to seeand tohear, with its water falling from a height and foamingwhite when itstrikesthemarble.Thisroomisverywarminwinterwhenitisbathedinsunshine,andonacloudydayhotsteamfromtheadjacentfurnace-roomserves instead. Then you pass through a large and cheerful dressing-room, belonging to the bath, to the cooling-room, which contains agood-sized shady swimming-bath. If you wantmore space to swim orwarmerwater,thereisapoolinthecourtyardandawellnearittotoneyouupwithcoldwaterwhenyouhavehadenoughofthewarm.Nexttothe cooling-room is a temperate one which enjoys the sun’s kindlywarmth,thoughnotasmuchasthehotroomwhichisbuiltoutinabay.This contains three plunging-baths, two full in the sun and one in theshade,thoughstill inthelight.Overthedressing-roomisbuilttheballcourt,andthisislargeenoughforseveralsetsofplayerstotakedifferentkinds of exercise.Not far from the bath is a staircase leading to threerooms and then to a covered arcade. One room looks on to the smallcourtwiththefourplanetrees,anotherontothemeadow,andthethirdfaces the vineyard and has an uninterrupted view across the sky. Theheadofthearcadeisdividedoffasaroom,fromwhichcanbeseentheriding-ground, the vineyard, and the mountains. Next to it is anotherroomwhich has plenty of sun, especially inwinter, and then comes asuitewhichconnectstheriding-groundwiththehouse.

That is theappearanceand lay-outof the frontof thehouse.Downthe side is a covered arcade for summer usewhich is built on higherground and seems not to look down on but be actually touching thevineyard below; half-way along is a dining-room which receives thefreshbreezesblowingdowntheApenninevalleys.Itsbroadwindowsatthe back look on to the vineyard, and, so do its folding doors, butthrough the arcade between, and along the side where there are nowindows,thereisaprivatestaircasewhichisusedforservingatdinnerparties.Atthefarendisabedroomwithaviewofthearcadeaspleasantas that of the vineyard. Underneath runs a semi-underground arcadewhichneverlosesitsicytemperatureinsummerandisairyenoughnottoneed toadmit theoutsideair.Next toboth thesearcadesbeginsanopenonewherethedining-roomends,whichiscoolbeforenoonbuthotduringthe laterpartof theday. It leads to twosuites,oneof fourandthe other of three rooms,which are alternately sunny or shady as thesunmovesround.

Thedesignandbeautyofthebuildingsaregreatlysurpassedbytheriding-ground.Thecentre isquiteopensothat thewholeextentof thecoursecanbeseenasoneenters.Itisplantedroundwithivy-cladplanetrees,greenwiththeirownleavesabove,andbelowwiththeivywhichclimbsovertrunkandbranchandlinkstreetotreeasitspreadsacrossthem.Boxshrubsgrowbetween theplane trees,andoutside there isaringof laurelbusheswhichaddtheirshadeto thatof theplanes.Herethe straight part of the course ends, curves round in a semicircle, andchanges its appearance, becoming darker andmore densely shaded bythecypresstreesplantedroundtoshelterit,whereastheinnercircuits–for there are several – are in open sunshine; roses grow there and the

coolshadowalternateswiththepleasantwarmthofthesun.Attheendofthewindingalleysoftheroundedendofthecourseyoureturntothestraight path, or rather paths, for there are several separated byintervening box hedges. Between the grass lawns here there are boxshrubsclipped into innumerableshapes, somebeing letterswhichspellthegardener’snameorhismaster’s;smallobelisksofboxalternatewithfruit trees, and then suddenly in themidst of this ornamental scene iswhatlookslikeapieceofruralcountryplantedthere.Theopenspaceinthemiddleissetoffbylowplanetreesplantedoneachside;fartheroffare acanthuseswith their flexible glossy leaves, thenmore box figuresandnames.

At the upper end of the course is a curved dining-seat of whitemarble, shadedbyavine trainedover four slenderpillarsofCarystianmarble.Watergushesoutthroughpipesfromundertheseatasifpressedoutbytheweightofpeoplesittingthere,iscaughtinastonecisternandthen held in a polished marble basin which is regulated by a biddendevice soas to remain fullwithoutoverflowing.Thepreliminariesandmain dishes for dinner are placed on the edge of the basin,while thelighter ones float about in vessels shaped like birds or little boats. Afountainoppositeplaysandcatchesitswater,throwingithighintotheairsothat it fellsback intothebasin,where it isplayedagainatoncethrough a jet connected with the inlet. Facing the seat is a bedroomwhich contributes as much beauty to the scene as it gains from itsposition. It isbuiltof shiningwhitemarble, extendedby foldingdoorswhichopenstraightoutamongthetrees; itsupperandlowerwindowsalllookoutintothegreeneryaboveandbelow.Asmallalcovewhichispartof the roombut separated from itcontainsabed,andalthough it

has windows in all its walls, the light inside is dimmed by the denseshadeofaflourishingvinewhichclimbsoverthewholebuildinguptotheroof.Thereyoucanlieandimagineyouareinawood,butwithouttheriskof rain.Here tooa fountainrisesanddisappearsunderground,whilehereandtherearemarblechainwhichanyonetiredwithwalkingappreciates as much as the building itself. By every chair is a tinyfountain, and throughout the riding-ground canbeheard the soundofthestreamsdirectedintoit,theflowofwhichcanbecontrolledbyhandtowateronepartof thegardenoranotheror sometimes thewholeatonce.

I shouldhavebeen trying longagonot to say toomuch,had I notsuggestedthatthislettershouldtakeyouintoeverycorneroftheplace.I don’t imagine you will find it tiresome to read about a spot whichcould hardly tire you on a visit, especially as you have moreopportunities ifyouwantanoccasionalrest,andcantakeaseat,sotospeak, by putting down the letter. Besides, I have been indulging thelove Ihave forall theplaces Ihave largely laidoutmyselforwhere Ihaveperfectedanearlierdesign.Inshort(forwhyshouldInotstatemyopinion,rightorwrong?)Ithinkawriter’sfirstdutyistoreadhistitle,tokeeponaskinghimselfwhathesetouttosay,andtorealizethathewillnotsaytoomuchifhestickstohistheme,thoughhecertainlywillifhebringsinextraneousmatter.YouknowthenumberoflinesHomerand Virgil devote to their descriptions of the arms of Achilles andAeneas:yetneitherpassageseemslongbecausebothpoetsarecarryingouttheiroriginalintention.YouseetoohowAratustracesandtabulatesthe smallest stars, but because this is his main subject and not adigressionhisworkdoesnotlackproportion.Itisthesamewithme,ifI

may ‘compare small things with great’. I am trying to set my entirehouse before your eyes, so, if I introduce nothing irrelevant, it is thehouseIdescribewhichisextensive,nottheletterdescribingit.

But to return to my starting-point – for I shall justly be censuredunder my own law if I pursue this digression further – these are myreasonsforpreferringmyhomeinTuscanytooneinTusculum,Tibur,or

Praeneste.1 And I can add another reason: I can enjoy a profounderpeacethere,morecomfort,andfewercares;Ineedneverwearaformaltoga and there are no neighbours to disturb me; everywhere there ispeaceandquiet,whichaddsasmuchtothehealthinessoftheplaceastheclearskyandpureair.ThereIenjoythebestofhealth,bothmentaland physical, for I keepmymind in trainingwithwork andmy bodywithhunting.Myservantstooarehealthierherethananywhereelse;uptothepresentIhavenotlostasingleoneofthoseIbroughtherewithme – may I be forgiven for saying so, andmay the gods continue tomakethistheprideoftheplaceandajoytome.

7.ToCalvisiusRufus

Itiswellknownthatacorporationcannotbemadeheirtoanestatenorreceiveapreliminarylegacy,butSaturninus,whohasmademehisheir,lefta fourthpartofhisestate toournative townofComum,and laterchanged this to a preliminary legacy of 400,000 sesterces. This is nullandvoid fromthe legalpointofview,butclearlyvalid ifone looks tothe intentionof thedeceased. I shudder to thinkhowthe legalexpertswill receive what I am going to say, but this intention carries moreweightwithmethanthelaw,atanyrateasregardsthesumSaturninus

intended to come to Comum. I have given 1,600,000 sesterces to thetown out of my own money, so surely I ought not to grudge it this400,000, little more than a third of my unexpected inheritance. I amsureyouwill sharemyopinion, for you loveourbirthplace as a loyalcitizenshould.SonexttimethetownCouncilmeets,Ishouldbegratefulif youwouldmake a statement, quite simply and shortly, on the legalquestion; then add that I ammaking this offer of 400,000 sesterces inaccordance with Saturninus’s instructions. The gift and the generosityarehis–Icanonlybesaidtocomplywithhiswishes.

I have refrained from writing officially to the Council for tworeasons:Irememberedthatourclosefriendshipobligesyoutoactformeasyouwouldforyourself,justasyourwisejudgementenablesyoutodoso, and I was afraid that a letter might seem lacking in the restraintwhichyouwillhavenodifficultyinkeepinginaspeech.Therethetoneis set by the expression, gestures and voice of the speaker, whereas aletter lacks such recommendations and is liable to wilfulmisinterpretation.

8.ToTitiniusCapito

Your suggestion that I shouldwritehistoryhasoftenbeenmade, foragoodmanypeoplehavegivenme thesameadvice. I like the idea:notthatIfeelatallsureofbeingsuccessful–itwouldberashinanamateur–butbecausethesavingofthosewhodeserveimmortalityfromsinkinginto oblivion, and spreading the fame of others alongwith one’s own,seemtomeaparticularlysplendidachievement.Nothingattractsmesomuch as that love and longing for a lasting name, man’s worthiest

aspiration,especiallyinonewhoisawarethatthereisnothinginhimtoblameandsohasnofearifheistoberememberedbyposterity.SodayandnightIwonderif‘Itoomayrisefromearth’;thatwouldanswermy

prayer,for‘tohoverintriumphonthelipsofman’1istoomuchtohope.

‘Yet O if I could – ‘2 but Imust rest contentwithwhat history aloneseems able to guarantee. Oratory and poetry win small favour unlesstheyreachthehigheststandardofeloquence,buthistorycannotfailtogivepleasurehoweveritispresented.Humanityisnaturallyinquisitive,and so factual information, plain andunadorned, has its attraction foranyonewhocanenjoysmalltalkandanecdote.

Inmycasefamilyprecedentisanadditionalincentivetoworkofthiskind.Myuncle,whowasalsomyfatherbyadoption,wasahistorianofscrupulous accuracy, and the philosophers say that it is an excellentthingtofollowinthefootstepsofone’sforbears,providedthattheytrodanhonestpath.WhythendoIdelay?Ihaveactedincertainimportantand complicated cases, and I intend to revise my speeches (withoutbuildingtoomanyhopesonthem)sothatalltheworkIputintothemwillnotperishwithmeforwantofthislastattention.For,ifonelookstoposterity,anythingleftunfinishedmightaswellnothavebeenbegun.YouwilltellmethatIcanrewritemyspeechesandwritehistoryatthesametime. Iwish Icould,butbotharesuchgreatundertakings that itwillbemorethanenoughtocarryoutone.IwaseighteenwhenIbeganmycareeratthebar,anditisonlynow,andstillonlydimly,thatIbeginto realize the true qualities of the orator. What would happen if Ishoulderedanewburden inadditionto theold? It is true thatoratoryandhistoryhavemuchincommon,buttheydifferinmanyofthepoints

where they seem alike. Both employ narrative, but with a difference:oratorydeals largelywiththehumbleandtrivial incidentsofeverydaylife, history is concerned with profound truths and the glory of greatdeeds.Thebarebonesofnarrativeandanervousenergydistinguishtheone,afulnessandacertainfreedomofstyletheother.Oratorysucceedsbyitsvigourandseverityofattack,historybytheeaseandgracewithwhich it develops its theme.Finally, theydiffer invocabulary, rhythm

andperiod-structure,for,asThucydidessays,1thereisallthedifferencebetweena ‘lastingpossession’anda ‘prizeessay’: theformerishistory,the latter oratory. For these reasons I am not inclined to mix twodissimilarsubjectswhicharefundamentallyopposedintheveryqualitytowhicheachowesitsprominence,lestIamsweptawayintheresultantconfusionand treatone in themannerproper to theother.And so, tokeeptomyownlanguage,forthetimebeingIapplyforanadjournment.

Youcan,however,beconsideringnowwhatperiodofhistoryIamtotreat. Is it to be ancient history which has had its historians? Thematerialisthere,butitwillbeagreatlabourtoassembleit.Orshallitberecenttimeswhichnoonehashandled?Ishallreceivesmallthanksandgiveseriousoffence,forbesidethefactthatthereismuchmoretocensurethantopraiseintheseriousvicesofthepresentday,suchpraiseas one gives, however generous, is considered grudging, and howeverrestrained one’s blame it is said to be excessive. But I have enoughcourageofmyconvictionsnottobedeterredbysuchconsiderations.AllIaskofyou is toprepare thewayforwhatyouwantmetodoandtochooseme a subject; or another good reason for delay and hesitationmayarisewhenIamreadytostartatlast.

9.ToSemproniusRufus

IhadgonedowntotheBasilicaJuliatolistentothespeechesinacasewhereIhadtoappearforthedefenceatthenexthearing.Thecourtwasseated,thepresidingmagistrateshadarrivedandcounselonbothsideswerecomingandgoing;thentherewasalongsilence,brokenatlastbya message from the praetor. The court adjourned and the case wassuspended,muchtomydelight,forIamneversowellpreparedasnottobegladofadelay.Thereasonforthisonewasashortedictpublishedbythe praetor Nepos, who is dealingwith the case, inwhich hewarnedboth prosecution and defence that he would strictly enforce all theprovisionsofthesenatorialdecreeappended:‘Allpersonsbringingcasesbeforethecourtareherebyrequiredtostateonoathbeforetheircaseisheardthattheyhaveneitherpaid,promised,norguaranteedanysumtoanyperson forhis legal assistance.’ By thesewords, anda greatmanymore, the buying and selling of counsels’ services were expresslyforbidden;butpermissionwasgiven,afteracasewassettled,forclientstogivetheircounselasumnotexceeding10,000sesterces.Thisactionof Nepos’s had raised doubts in the mind of the president of theCentumviral Court, and, in order to consider whether to follow hisexample,hegaveusourunexpectedholiday.

Meanwhile theedict is the subjectofpraiseorcriticismthroughoutthecity.Manypeoplearesayingthat“Wehavefoundsomeonetosetthecrookedstraight,butwere therenopraetorsbeforehim?Who ishe tocorrectpublicmorals?’Theotherparty says thatNeposhasdonewell;hehaslearntthelawbeforetakingupoffice,readstheSenate’sdecrees,puts a check on disgraceful bargaining, and will not allow a noble

professiontosell itsservicesinthisscandalousway.Soeveryonetalks,

buteventswillhavetoshowwhichviewwillprevail.Rightandwrongintentionsarepraisedandblamedonlyinsofarastheirresultsaregoodorbad–thatisthegenerallyacceptedpractice,thoughitisnonethelessunfair. Hence it generally happens that the self-same actions arevariouslyascribedtozeal,conceit,independence,orfolly.

10.ToSuetoniusTranquillus

Doplease releasemyhendecasyllables from their promise – theywereguarantorstoourfriendsfortheappearanceofyourwork,andeverydaybrings in some new request and demand; so they now run the risk ofbeingservedwithawrittoproduceit.IknowIamveryslowtopublishmyownwork,butyououtdoevenmydoubtsandhesitations.Sobestiryourself,orelsebewarelestIdragthosebooksoutofyoubythefuryofmy iambics, since my hendecasyllables failed to entice them withhoneyedwords!Thework isalready finishedandperfect; revisionwillnot give it further polish but only dull its freshness. Please letme seeyournamepublishedandhearthatmyfriend’sbooksarebeingcopied,readand sold. Inviewofourwarm friendship, it is only fair that youshouldletmehavethesamepleasurefromyouasyouenjoyinme.

11.ToCalpurniusFabatus,hiswife’sgrandfather

Thank you for your letter telling me about your dedication of ahandsome public colonnade in your own name and that of your son,followed on the next day by your promise of a sum ofmoney for the

decorationof thedoors, thusmakingyoursecondactofgenerosity the

consummation of the first. I am glad of this, primarily on account ofyour own reputation, fromwhich I have some reflected glory throughmyconnexionwithyou;Iamgladtootoseemyfather-in-law’smemoryperpetuatedinsuchafinemonument,and,finally,theenrichmentofournativeplaceisasourceofpleasuretomewhoeveritiswhohonoursher,butespeciallysowhenthatpersonisyou.

Itremainsformetopraythatthegodswillcontinuetograntyouthisgenerousspiritandasmanyyearsaspossibleinwhichtoemployit,forIamsurethatonceyouhavecarriedoutyourrecentundertakingyouwillbeginonanother:generositycannotstandstillwhenoncesetinmotion,anditsbeautyshinesoutthemoreitisexercised.

12.ToTerentiusScaurus

I invited some friends to hear me read a short speech which I amthinkingofpublishing,justenoughofanaudiencetomakemenervous,butnotalargeone,asIwantedtohearthetruth.Ihaveinfactadoublemotiveforthesereadings,hopingtogainbothastimulusbymyanxietyto succeed and criticism where any faults have escaped my noticethroughbeingmyown.HereIsucceeded,andfoundpeopletogivemethebenefitoftheiradvice;Ialsonoticedformyselfsomecorrectionstobemade,and,nowthatthesearedone,Iamsendingyoutheresult.Thetitlewilltellyouthesubjectandthetextwillexplaineverythingelse,foritoughtbynowtobeintelligiblewithoutanyintroduction.Ishouldbegrateful foryouropinionon the speechasawholeand indetail, for Ishall be the more careful to withhold it or determined to publish,

whicheverwayyoupronouncejudgement

13.ToJuliusValerianus

I have just had your request for the result of the summons issued by

NepostoTusciliusNominatus,1whichIpromisedIwouldletyouknowifyouaskedforit.

Nominatuscamebeforethecourtandmadehisowndefence.Noonebroughtanycharge,fortherepresentativesofVicetiadidnotpresstheirs– theywere in fact now ready to defendhim.His line of defencewasthatitwashiscouragenothissenseofdutywhichhadfailedhimwhenhecame tomakehis speech.Hehadarrivedwithgood intentionsandhad even been seen in the Senate, but then he had been alarmed bytalkingtohisfriendsandhadleftthecourt.Theyhadadvisedhimnottobetoopersistent inopposingthewishesofasenator(andespeciallyinthe Senate) who was no longer fighting the case on account of theproposed market, but because his influence, reputation and positionwere at stake; otherwise Nominatus would make himself moreunpopular than on the last occasion. (He had in fact received someapplause as he went out, but not frommany people.) He went on toweepandbeg for leniency,and indeed, throughouthis speech,hewascarefultogivetheimpressionthathewasnotdefendinghisconductbutappealingformercy;asapractisedspeakerheknewthatthiswassaferandmorelikelytowinfavour.

Hewasacquittedonaproposaloftheconsul-elect,AfraniusDexter,totheeffectthatthoughNominatuswouldhavedonebettertocompletethecasefortheVicetiansinthesamespiritashehadundertakenit,his

negligence was without fraudulent intent and no punishable offencecouldbeprovedagainsthim.HeshouldthenbedischargedonconditionthathereturnedhisfeetotheVicetians.EveryoneagreedexceptFabiusAper,who proposed thatNominatus should be forbidden to conduct acaseforfiveyears,andhestuckstoutlytohisopinionalthoughhecouldnot persuade anyone to support him. He even quoted the statute onsenatorialprocedure,andinsistedthatDexter(whohadbeenthefirsttoputforwardthecontrarymotion)shouldstateonoaththathisproposalwas in the interests of the State.His demandwas in order, but itmetwith a good deal of protest, as it appeared to be accusing Dexter ofcorruptpractice.Butbeforeavotecouldbetaken,Nigrinus,thetribuneofthepeople,readoutawell-phrasedstatementofgreatimportance.Inthis he complained that counsel sold their services, faked lawsuits formoney,settledthembycollusion,andmadeaboastofthelargeregularincomes tobemadeby robberyof their fellow-citizens.Hequoted therelevantparagraphsofthelaw,remindedtheSenateofitsdecrees,andended by saying that our noble Emperor should be asked to remedytheseseriousevilshimself,sincethelawandtheSenate’sdecreeswerefallen into contempt. After a few days the Emperor issued a decree,which was firm but moderate in tone. It is published in the officialrecords,soyoucanreadit.

How glad I am that I have always kept clear of any contracts,presents,remunerations,orevensmallgiftsformyconductofcases!Itistruethatoneoughttoshundishonestyasashamefulthing,notbecauseit is illegal; but, even so, it is a pleasure to find an official ban on apractice one would never have permitted oneself. Perhaps I shall losesomeofthecreditandreputationIwonfrommyresolve–infactIam

suretodoso,wheneveryoneiscompelledtobehaveasIdidofmyownfreewill–butmeanwhileIamenjoyingmyfriends’teasing,whentheyhailmeasaprophetorpretendthatthismeasureisdirectedagainstmyownrobberiesandgreed.

14.ToPontiusAllifanus

IhadleftRomeforavisittomynativetownwhennewsreachedmethatCornutus Tertullus had accepted the office of Curator of the AemilianRoad.Wordscannotexpressmydelight,forbothoursakes;foralthoughhe is known to be far removed from any feelings of ambition, theunsolicitedofferofthispostcannotfailtogivehimpleasure,andIam

betterpleasedwiththedutiesassignedtome1nowthatIseeCornutusina similar position. To be in the same rank as a good citizen is aswelcomeasapromotion.AndisthereanyonewhocanequalCornutusinmeritandintegrity,anyonewhoisamoreperfectexampleoftheancientvirtues in ever)’ way? His character is known to me not from thesplendid reputation he so justly deserves, but from the close personalexperience ofmany years. Togetherwe have admired and still admirealmosteverymanorwomanwhoisanexampletoourgeneration,andthisassociationhasbeenaclosebondofintimacybetweenus.Anotherlinkwasforgedinourpublicrelations;asyouknow,Cornutuswasmycolleague as a Treasury official and as consul, as if in answer to myprayers.ItwasthenthatIknewhimtothefullforthegreatmanheis;Ifollowedhimasmyteacherandhonouredhimasaparent,forhiswasthe ripe wisdom not of years but of experience. For these reasons Icongratulate myself no less than him, for public as well as personal

considerations.Nowatlastmen’smeritsbringthemofficialrecognitioninsteadofthedangersofthepast.

Icouldletmyletterrunonindefinitelytogivefreeexpressiontomyjoy,butImustturntowhatIwasdoingwhenthenewsreachedme.Iwasstayingwithmywife’sgrandfatherandaunt,meetingfriendsIhadlongwished to see; I was going the round of my few acres, hearing thepeasants’ complaints and looking over the accounts – unwillingly andsuperficially Imustadmit, for Iamdevoted to literarydocumentsofavery different order. I had also begun to make preparations for myreturn,forIamrestrictedbytheshortnessofmyleave,especiallynowthatthenewsofCornutus’sdutiesisareminderofmyown.ItrustthatyourCampaniawill letyoureturnabout thesametime, so that I shallnotloseadayofyourcompanyonceIambackinRome.

15.ToArriusAntoninus

It is only when I try to imitate your verse that I fully realize itsexcellence, for my halting efforts fall short of the original just as anartist’scopycanneverbemorethanapoorversionofawhollybeautifulmodel.ThatiswhyIurgeyoutoproduceasmuchaspossibleforallofustotrytoemulateeventhoughnoneorveryfewwillbesuccessful.

16.ToAefulanusMarcellinus

I amwriting to you in great distress: our friendFundanushas lost hisyoungerdaughter.Ineversawagirlsogayandlovable,sodeservingofalongerlifeorevenalifetolastforever.Shehadnotyetreachedthe

ageoffourteen,andyetshecombinedthewisdomofageanddignityof

womanhoodwith the sweetness andmodesty of youth and innocence.Shewouldcling toher father’sneck,andembraceus,his friends,withmodestaffection;shelovedhernurses,herattendantsandherteachers,eachonefortheservicegivenher;sheappliedherselfintelligentlytoherbooks andwasmoderate and restrained in her play. She bore her lastillnesswith patient resignation and, indeed,with courage; she obeyedherdoctors’orders,cheeredhersisterandfather,andbysheerforceofwillcarriedonafterherphysicalstrengthhadfailedher.Thiswillpowerremainedwithhertotheend,andneitherthe lengthofher illnessnorfearofdeathcouldbreakit.Soshehasleftusallthemoresadreasonsfor lamentingour loss.Hers isa truly tragicanduntimelyend–deathitself was not so cruel as themoment of its coming. Shewas alreadyengaged tomarryadistinguishedyoungman, theday for theweddingwasfixed,andwehadreceivedourinvitations.Suchjoy,andnowsuchsorrow!Nowords canexpressmygriefwhen IheardFundanusgivinghis own orders (for one heart-rending detail leads to another) for themoney he had intended for clothing, pearls and jewels to be spent onincense, ointment and spices. He is indeed a cultivated man and aphilosopherwhohasdevotedhimselffromyouthtohigherthoughtandthearts,butatthemomentherejectseverythinghehassooftenheardandprofessedhimself:hehascastoffallhisothervirtuesandiswhollyabsorbedbyhisloveforhischild.Youwillforgiveandevenadmirehimif you think of what he has lost – a daughter who resembled him incharacternolessthaninfaceandexpression,andwasherfather’slivingimageineveryway.

If then you write anything to him in his very natural sorrow, be

carefulnot toofferanycrudeformofconsolationwhichmightsuggestreproof; be gentle and sympathetic. Passage of time will make himreadier to accept this; a raw wound shrinks from a healing hand butlaterpermitsandevenseekshelp,andsothemindrejectsandrepelsanyconsolationinitsfirstpangsofgrief,thenfeelstheneedofcomfortandiscalmedifthisiskindlyoffered.

17.ToVestriciusSpurinna

Iknowyour interest in the liberalartsandyourpleasurewhenanyofouryoungmenofgoodfamilydoanythingworthyoftheirancestry,soIamhasteningtogiveyoumynews.TodayIwasamongtheaudiencetowhich Calpurnius Piso read his poem on the Legends of the Stars, ascholarly treatment of a splendid theme, written in flowing elegiaccoupletswhosedelicateflexibilitycouldrisetograndeurwhenrequired.Heshowedanappropriateversatilityinraisingorloweringhistone,andthesametalentwhetherhedescendedfromtheheightstoalowerlevel,rosetocomplexityfromsimplicityormovedbetweenalighterandmoreserious approach to his subject. His unusually pleasant voice was afurtherasset,andgainedmuchitselffromhismodesty,hisblushes,andanxious expression, which always add charm to a reading – for somereasonshynesssuitsanauthorbetter thanconfidence.Tocutshortmystory (though I should like to say more, as these qualities are sobecomingintheyoungandrareintheupperclasses),aftertherecitalIgavehimawarmandprolongedembrace,themoststimulatingkindofencouragement, andurgedhimbymy congratulations to complete thetaskhehadbegunandpassontoposteritythetorchhisancestorshad

handedtohim.Ialsocongratulatedhisexcellentmotherandhisbrotherwho,asamemberoftheaudience,wonasmuchcreditforhisbrotherlyaffectionasPisodidforhiseloquentreading,fortheconcernheshowedduringtherecitalandhisdelightafterwardsweremoststriking.

I pray the gods to givememore news like this to send you; for Ibelieveinthisgeneration,andamanxiousforitnottoprovebarrenandoutworn.StilllessdoIwantournoblefamiliestohavenodistinctionintheirhomesotherthanfamilyportraits;thoughthese,Ithink,mustnowbe silently congratulating and encouraging these two young men anddoingthemboththehonourofacknowledgingthemasdescendants.

18.ToCalpurniusMacer

Alliswellwithmesinceitiswithyou.Youhaveyourwifeandsonwithyou, and all the pleasures of the sea, streams, woods and fields areyours,alongwithyourlovelyhouse;whichIknowmustbelovely,when

itwastheretreatoftheman1whowassofortunatebeforeherosetothesupreme good fortune. I am in my home in Tuscany, hunting andwriting, either in turn or both at once, but I’m not yet ready topronouncejudgementonwhichIfindhardertodo.

19.ToValeriusPaulinus

Ihavenoticedyourkindnesstoyourhousehold,sowillfranklyconfessmyindulgencetomine.IalwayshaveinmindthephraseofHomer’s:‘he

wasgentleasafather’,2andalsoourown‘fatherofthehousehold’;but,even if I were harsh and unfeeling by nature, my heart would be

softened by the illness of my freedman Zosimus, whose claim to

sympathy is all the stronger now that he needs it so much. He is anhonest fellow, obliging and educated, marked out by his talent foracting,wherehehasgreatsuccess.Hisdeliveryisclearandintelligent,hisactingcorrectandbalanced,andheplaysthelyrewell,betterthanan actor need do. He also reads speeches, history, and poetry sowellthat it might be his sole accomplishment. I have told you all this indetail so thatyoumaybetter realizeall thepleasant services I receivefromZosimuswhichnooneelsecangiveme.Ihavemoreoverlongfeltforhimanaffectionwhichhasincreasedwiththedangershehascomethrough;foritseemsalawofnaturefornothingtoexciteandintensifylovesomuchasthefearoflosingitsobject,andthishashappenedtomemorethanonceinhiscase.

Some years ago he was exerting himself during a passionateperformancewhenhebegantospitblood.IthensenthimtoEgypt,andafteralongstaythereherecentlyreturnedwithhishealthrestored.Nowafterdemanding toomuchofhis voice for severaldaysonendhehashad a slight return of his cough as a reminder of the old trouble, andonceagainhasbroughtupblood.Ithinkthethingtodoistosendhim

toyourplaceatForumJulii,3forIhaveoftenheardyousaythattheairis healthy there and the milk excellent for treating this kind of case.Pleasewrite toyourpeopleandask themto receivehimon theestateandinyourhome,andtomeettheexpensesofanythinghemayneed.Thiswillnotbemuch,forheisabstemiousandmoderateinhishabitstothe point of frugally denying himself not only delicacies but evenessentials forhishealth. Iwill see thathehas sufficientmoney forhisjourneytoyouwhenhesetsout.

20.ToCorneliusUrsus

The Bithynians again! It is no time since their case against Julius

Bassus,1 but they have brought another one against the governorVarenus Rufus – the Varenus they had previously demanded andaccepted to conduct their case against Bassus. Summoned before theSenate, they applied for time to collect evidence. Then Varenus alsorequested the right himself to call witnesses from the province in hisdefence. The Bithynians objected, so the case was heard at once. IappearedforVarenus,notwithoutsuccess:whethermyspeechwasgoodorbadwillbeseenwhenitispublished.Inaspeechasdeliveredchanceisthedominantfactoreitherway,formuchcanbegainedorlostbythespeaker’smemory,voiceandgestures,theoccasionandthegoodorbadimpressionmadebythedefendant;whereasthewrittenspeechisquitefreefrominfluenceonewayortheother,andowesnothingtochance,whetherluckyornot.IwasopposedbyoneoftheBithynians,FonteiusMagnus, whose words were many and arguments few, for, like mostGreeks,hemistakesvolubilityforfulnessofexpression;theyallpourouta torrent of long monotonous periods without taking breath. HenceJulius Candidus’s frequent witticism that eloquence and loquacity aretwodifferent things.Scarcelyanyonehas thegiftofeloquence–ornoone if we are to believe Marcus Antonius – but what Candidus callsloquacity is common to many people and the special gift of everyimpudentrascal.

The following day Homullus defended Varenus with considerablesubtlety, spirit and elegance, andNigrinusmade a concise, impressive

andwell-phrased speech in reply.Theconsulelect,AciliusRufus, thenmoved that the Bithynians should be given permission to collect theirevidence,buthepassedoverVarenus’sapplicationinsilence,whichwastantamount to a refusal. The consular Cornelius Priscus proposed togrant the petitions of both parties, and his motion was carried by amajority.Sowewonourpoint,notonementionedinlaworcoveredbyprecedent,butnonethelessjust.WhyitwasIshallnotsaybyletter,forIwantyoutoaskforthespeech.IfHomerisright,and‘Menpraisemost

thesongwhichringsnewestintheirears’1Imustbecarefulnottotalktoomuch,ormyletterwillnipinthebudthebloomofnoveltywhichismyspeech’schiefattraction.

21.ToPompeiusSaturninus

Ireceivedyourletterwithmixedfeelings, foritwasamixtureofgoodandbadnews.ItisgoodnewsthatyouarekeptinRome(againstyourwill,youwillsay,butitisnotagainstmine)andthatyouintendtogiveareadingassoonasIarrive.Thankyouforwaitingforme.Itwassad,however,tohearthatJuliusValensislyingseriouslyill-thoughperhapsnot so sad if one considerswhat a blessing itwould be for him to bereleasedasquicklyaspossiblefromanincurabledisease.Butitismorethansad,itistragicthatJuliusAvitusshouldhavedied,anddiedatseaon his way home from the province where he had been quaestor, farfromhislovingbrother,hismother,andhissisters.Allthiscannotaffecthimnowthatheisdead,butmusthavedonewhilehewasdying;anditaffectsthoseheleavesbehind,asdoesthethoughtthatayoungmanofsuchpromisehasdiedinearlyyouthwhenhemighthaveattainedthe

highest honours had his gifts been allowed to mature. Think of hisardentloveofliteratureandallhereadandwrote:allofwhichhasdiedwithhim,leavingnothingforposterity.ButImustnotgivewaytomygrief,foranythingbecomesdisproportionateifunchecked.Iwillendthisletter,andwithitthetearsithasbroughttomyeyes.

BOOKSIX

1.ToCalestriusTiro

AslongasIwasstayingnorthofthePoandyouwereinPicenum1Ididnotnoticeyourabsencesomuch,butnowthatIambackinRomeagainandyouarestillaway,Ifeelitmuchmore.PerhapsIthinkofyoumoreintheplaceswhereweareusuallytogether,orelse it is thatwenevermiss our absent friends so keenly aswhen they are not far away; thenearer you are to enjoying their company, the less you are able to bepatientwithoutit.Whateverthecause,dotakemeoutofmymiseryandcome,or I shall return to theplace I foolishly left inahurry,withnootherpurposethantoseeifyouwillwritemeletterslikethiswhenyoufindyourselfinRomewithoutme.

2.ToMaturusArrianus

IoftenfindmyselfmissingMarcusRegulusincourt,thoughIdon’tmeanIwant him back again. But Imiss him as a personwho really valuedoratory.Heusedtobepalewithanxiety,wouldwriteouthisspeechesthoughhecouldneverlearnthembyheart,paintroundoneofhiseyes(the right if he was appearing for the plaintiff and the left for thedefendant),changeawhitepatchover fromoneeyebrowto theother,

andnever fail toconsult thesoothsayersontheresultofhiscase.Thismayhavebeengrosssuperstitiononhispart,butitdidshowrespectforhisprofession.Besides,twoofhishabitswereverypleasantforanyoneactingwithhim;heusedtogatheranaudiencebyinvitationandapplyforunlimitedtimetospeak,andnothingcouldbemoreenjoyablethantofindyourselfaddressingsomeoneelse’saudienceonhisresponsibility,andtogoonatyoureaseforaslongasyouliked.

Allthesame,Regulusdidwelltodie,andwouldhavedonebettertodie sooner; though today he could certainly have been alive withoutbeing a public nuisance, now that we have an Emperor who wouldpreventhimfromdoingharm.Sothereisnownoreasonwhyweshouldnotmiss him, especially as since his death the customof applying for

andgrantingtwowater-clocks1orone(orevenhalfofone)hasgainedground and is generally accepted. Counsel would rather get theirspeechesoverthangoonspeaking,andjudgescaremoreaboutfinishinga case than passing judgement: such is the widespread neglect,indifference, and general disrespect for oratory and its attendant risks.Are we wiser than our forbears and juster than the very laws whichassign us so many hours, days and adjournments? Perhaps ourpredecessorswerestupidandundulyslow,andweareclearerspeakers,quickerthinkers,andmorescrupulousjudgesthantheywere,whenwehurry through our cases in fewer hours than the days they spent ondeveloping their case. To think that Regulus’s self-interest won fromevery judge a concession which few today will grant to honestintentions!

Personally, whenever I am hearing a case (which I do more often

thanIconductone)Iallowallthetimeanyoneasksfor,thinkingitrashtopredictthelengthofanythingstillunheardandtosetatime-limittoatrialbeforeitsextentisknown,especiallywhenoneofthefirstdutiesofa magistrate under oath is patience – an important element injusticeitself.Youwillprotestthatagooddealissaidwhichisirrelevant.Thatmaybe,butitisbetterthanleavingoutessentials,anditisimpossibletojudgewhatisirrelevantwithoutfirsthearingit.

ButIcanreallydiscusstheseandotherpublicabusesbetterwhenwemeet; you too have the general interest at heart and are anxious forreformevenwhereithasbecomedifficulttoputthingsright.Toturntodomestic affairs – is all well with you? I have no news, but I’mincreasingly grateful formy blessingswhile they last, and I noticemytroubleslessnowthatIamusedtothem.

3.ToVerus

Thank you for taking over the working of the small farm I gave mynurse.At the time Igave it toher itwasworth100,000 sesterces,butsince then it has done badly and depreciated in value. It will recovernowthatitisinyourHands,butdorememberthatIhaveentrustedtoyoumorethanvinesandland,thoughtheseofcourseareincluded.Iamthinkingofmy littlegift, for itmeansasmuch tome, thedonor,as itdoestomynursethatthefarmshallproveasprofitableasyoucanmakeit.

4.TohiswifeCalpurnia

NeverhaveIcomplainedsomuchaboutmypublicdutiesasIdonow.Theywouldnot letmecomewithyoutoCampania insearchofbetterhealth,andtheystillpreventmefromfollowinghardonyourheels.ThisisatimewhenIparticularlywanttobewithyou,toseewithmyowneyes whether you are gaining in strength and weight, and if thepleasuresofyourholidayandtheluxuriesofthedistrictaredoingyounoharm. Indeed, I shouldworrywhenyouareawayeven ifyouwerewell,fortherearealwaysanxiousmomentswithoutnewsofanyoneonelovesdearly,and,asthingsare,Ihavethethoughtofyourhealthaswellasyourabsencetoalarmmewithfluctuatingdoubtsandfears.Iamfullofforebodingsofeveryimaginabledisaster,andlikeallnervouspeopledwellmostonwhatIprayferventlywillnothappen.Sodopleasethinkofmyanxietyandwritetomeonceoreventwiceaday–IshallworrylesswhileIamreadingyourletters,butmyfearswillreturnassoonasIhavefinishedthem.

5.ToCorneliusUrsus

I told you in my last letter1 that Varenus obtained permission to callwitnesses in his defence from his province. The majority approved ofthis, but somepeople (notablyLiciniusNepos)held that itwas illegal,andclungstubbornlytotheiropinion.AtthenextmeetingoftheSenate,although therewasother businessunderdiscussion,Neposbroughtupthemotionpassedatthelastmeetingandreopenedacasethathadbeensettled.Hewentontodeclarethattheconsulsshouldbeaskedtoraisethewhole question of the lawof restitution ofmoney extorted and todetermine whether, following the procedure of the law of bribery, a

clauseshouldnothenceforwardbeaddedtogivethedefendantthesamepowerstopreparehiscaseandtocompeltheattendanceofwitnessesasthelawallowstheplaintiff.Somemembersfoundfaultwiththisspeechasbeingtoolate,ill-timedandmisplaced.Nepos,theysaid,hadlettherightmomentgobyforraisingobjections,andhadwithheldhiscensureuntil the affair was finally settled, though he could have opposed itbefore.Infactthepraetor,JuventiusCelsus,attackedhimviolentlyandat length for setting himself up as a reformer of the Senate. Neposreplied,andCelsusspokeagain,neitherofthemrefrainingfromabuse.

IhavenowishtorepeatwordswhichIfounddistastefultohear,andstill less do I approve of certain of our senators who ran to and frobetween Celsus and Nepos (according to which one was speaking) intheir eagerness to hear every word. They seemed now to be spurringthem on to fresh fury, then to be trying to appease them and restoreorder,astheycalledontheEmperortofavouronepartyoranotherorsometimes both. The whole scene might have been a public show.Anotherthingwhichdisgustedmeverymuchwasthefactthateachwasinformed of the other’s intentions; Celsus addressed Nepos from awritten speech andNepos replied fromhis notes, for their friends hadgossipedsomuchthattheykneweachother’sargumentsasifithadallbeenarrangedbeforehand.

6.ToMiniciusFundanus

If ever Iwishedyouwere inRome, it is now.Please come, for I needsomeone to share my prayers, efforts and anxiety. Julius Naso is acandidate for office, along with several other likely young men, so

victoryoverhisrivalswillbedifficultthoughitwillbearealtriumphifhe succeeds. I am on tenterhooks, torn between hope and fear, and Ican’t realize that Ihavealreadybeena consul – I feel as though I amputtingupagainforalltheofficesIhaveeverheld.

IowethistoNasoinreturnforhislong-standingregardforme,andam bound to him by ties of friendship; and, though difference in agemadeitimpossibleformetobeafriendofhisfather,whenIwasonlyachildhisfatherwaspointedoutformetoadmire.Hewasindeedatruelover of learning and its students, andwould come every day to hear

Quintilian1andNicetesSacerdos2whoselecturesIwasthenattending.Aman of his character and distinction should benefit his son by thereputation he leaves behind him, but there are many people in theSenate todaywho never knew him,many toowho knew him but payregard to none but the living. Consequently, Naso cannot rely on hisfather’sfame–hemaytakegreatprideinitbutithaslittleinfluentialvalue – andmust try to get onbyhis ownefforts. This indeedhehasalwaysbeencareful todo,as ifhe foresaw thisoccasion;hehasmadefriendsandcultivatedtheirfriendship,and,inmyowncase,hesingledmeoutforhisfriendandmodelassoonashefelthecouldtrusthisownjudgement.He is atmy side, full of concern,when Iplead in courtorgive a reading; he is there to take an interest diemomentmy triflingworks see the light, and is there alone since he lost the brother whocamewithhimandwhoseplaceImustnowtrytofill.Imournthecrueldeath, which has taken him from us so young, and I grieve, too, forNaso,whohaslostsuchabrother’ssupportandhasnoonelefthimbuthisfriends.

This iswhatmakesme insist that you come and add your vote tomine.Itmeanssomuchtometobeabletoshowyouoff’andtakeyoucanvassingwithme;knowingyourinfluence,IthinkIshallmeetwithabetter responseeven frommy friends if Ihaveyour support.Breakoffwhateveriskeepingyou–mysituation,honour,andofficialpositionalldemandthis.EveryoneknowsIhavebackedacandidate,anditisIwhoamcanvassingand running the risks; in fact, ifNasowinshis electionthecreditishis,butifhefailsthedefeatismine.

7.TohiswifeCalpumia

You say that you are feeling my absence very much, and your onlycomfortwhen I amnot there is toholdmywritings inyourhandandoftenputtheminmyplacebyyourside.Iliketothinkthatyoumissmeandfindreliefinthissortofconsolation.I,too,amalwaysreadingyourletters,andreturningtothemagainandagainasiftheywerenewtome–butthisonlyfansthefireofmylongingforyou.Ifyourlettersaresodeartome,youcanimaginehowIdelightinyourcompany;dowriteasoftenasyoucan,althoughyougivemepleasuremingledwithpain.

8.ToNeratius(?)Priscus

YouknowandloveAtiliusCrescens–isthereanyoneatalldistinguishedwhodoesnot?ButIammorethanoneofhismanyacquaintances,Iamhis close friend. Our home towns are only a day’s journey apart, webecamefriendsasboyswhenfeelingsarewarmest,andlaterjudgementhasnotcooledouraffectionbutstrengthenedit,asanyonewhoknows

either of us at all intimately is aware. Atilius boasts widely of his

friendshipwithme,andImakenosecretofmyconcernforhishonour,security, and peace ofmind. In factwhen he toldme hewas nervousabout the insolent attitude of one of the tribunes-elect, like Achilles Irepliedthatnooneshouldharmhim‘whileIlive’.1Allthisgoestoshow

that Atilius cannot be wronged without my being concerned, but youmaystillwonderwhatIamleadingupto.Well,ValeriusVarushasdiedowinghimsomemoney.Varus’sheirisourmutualfriendMaximus,and,asyouaremoreintimatewithhimthanIam,Ibeg,orratherinsist,inthe name of our friendship, that youwill see thatAtilius recovers notonly his principal intact, but also the accumulated interest of severalyears.He is amanwhonever covets otherpeople’s possessions and iscareful ofhis own, andhehasno investments to supporthim, andnoincomebutwhat he saves out of his frugalway of life; for thoughhemakes sucha successofhis studies,hepursues themonly forpleasureandthereputationtheybringhim.Theslightestlossisseriousforhim,thoughitcanbeworseifonehastorecoverafteraset-back.Doridhimandmeof thisworry,and letmestillenjoyhischarmandwit. Ican’tbeartoseehimindistress,whenhisnaturalgaietyneverletsmebesad.You know his witticisms: please do not let injustice turn them tobitternessandgall.Thewarmthofhisaffectionshouldconvinceyouofhis passion if offended, and his bold spirit of independence will notsubmit to losscoupledwith insult. Inanycase, I shouldcount the lossandinsultmyown,butbefarangrierthanIshouldformyself.

But this is no time for threats and intimidations – I will end as Ibegan,and imploreyou tomakeeveryeffort; thenAtiliuswillnot feelthatIamdoingnothingforhim,asIverymuchfearhewill,norshallI

feelthesameaboutyou.IamsureyouwilldothisifyoucareasmuchformyfeelingsasIdoforhis.

9.ToCorneliusTacitus

SoyourecommendJuliusNasoasacandidateforoffice.Nasotome?Itmight beme tomyself!Nevermind, Iwill forgive you. I should havedonethesamemyself,had Ibeenawayandyoustill inRome:anxietyhas a way of thinking nothing superfluous. My advice is that you goawayandcanvasssomeoneelse,thenIwillsupportyouandaddmypleatoyours.

10.ToLucceiusAlbinus

Ihavebeenvisitingmymother-in-lawatAlsium,1 staying inthehouse

whichonce belonged toVerginiusRufus.2 Themere sight of the placerevivedallmygriefandlongingforthatgreatandnobleman.Thiswaswhere he lived in retirement, calling it the nest of his old age, andwherever Iwent I realizedhow Imissed the sight of him there. I hadalso an urge to see his tomb, but regretted it afterwards. It is stillunfinished,notthroughanydifficultyofconstruction(itisonamodest,even a humble scale) but because the man in charge of it takes nointerest. Iwas filledwith indignationandpity to think thatnineyearsafter Verginius’s death his remaining ashes should still lie neglectedwithout a name or inscription, although his glorious memory travelsover the whole world. And yet he had made proper provision forrecordinginversetheimmortaldeedwherebyhisnamelivesforever:

HereliesRufus,whooncedefeatedVindexandsetfreetheimperialpower

Notforhimself,butforhiscountry.

Loyaltyinfriendshipissorareandthedeadsoeasilyforgottenthatweoughttosetupourownmonumentsandanticipateallthedutiesofourheirs.WhichofushasnoreasontofearthefateofVerginius?Hisfameonlymakes thewrongdone tohimall themoreconspicuous forbeingundeserved.

11.ToMaximus

Thishasbeenahappydayforme.IwascalleduponbytheCityPrefecttoactasassessor,andheardtwoyoungmenofoutstandingabilityandpromise plead opposite each other. They were Fuscus Salinator andUmmidius Quadratus, a remarkable pair who are likely to prove anornament not only to the present age but to literature itself. Bothcombined exceptional honesty with strength of character; theirappearance was pleasant, their accent pure, and their voices fullydeveloped, and they both had excellent memories and discretion tomatchtheirability.Allthisdelightedme,asdidthefactthattheylookedtomeastheirguideandteacher,andgavetheirhearerstheimpressionthat theysoughtto followinmyfootsteps.So itwasahappyday,as Isaidbefore–arealred-letterday.Whatcouldbehappierforourcountrythan for two such distinguished young men to make their name andreputationineloquence?WhatmorecouldIdesirethantobechosentolead themon the right road? Ipray thegods that I shall alwaysbe sohappy,andyoucanbearmewitnessthatIhopeallwhothinkmeworthimitatingmaywishtobebettermenthanI.

12.ToCalpumiusFabatus,hiswife’sgrandfather

You are the last person who should hesitate to bring to my noticeanyoneyou thinkneedsassistance, for, ifhelpingmany isyourproperconcern,takingonanycaseyouhaveatheartismine.SoIwilldoallIcan for Bittius Priscus; especially in my own sphere of action, theCentumviral Court. You bid me forget the letters which you calloutspoken,buttherearenoneIlikebettertoremember.Theymakemerealize as never before how you love me, when you make the samedemandsonmeasyouused toonyourownson. I admitmypleasurewasincreasedbyknowingthatIhadagoodcase:Ihadalreadydonemybesttocarryoutyourrequest.IdobegyoumostearnestlytoreprovemewiththesamefranknesswheneverIseemtofailinmyduty(Isay‘seem’because I shall never really fail). I shall understand that true loveprompts your reproaches, and youmay be glad to find that I did notdeservethem.

13.ToCorneliusUrsus

HaveyoueverseenanyonesotriedandharassedasmyfriendVarenus?

Hewonhisconcession1afterahardfight,andnowhehashadtodefenditandpracticallyapplyforitalloveragain.TheBithynianshavehadtheaudacitytoapproachtheconsuls,impugntheSenate’sdecision,andtrytohaveitreversed,andtheyhaveevendaredtoaddressacomplainttothe Emperor, who is not in Rome. He has referred them back to theSenate,buttheirattackshavenotceased.ClaudiusCapitospokeontheirbehalf, not out of principle somuch as with a certain irresponsibility

whichledhimtoattackadecreeinfrontoftheSenatewhichhadpassedit Catius Frontomade an impressive and convincing reply. The Senatebehavedadmirably, for even thememberswhohadpreviously refusedVarenus’sapplicationwereinfavourofgrantingitnowthattheproposalhadbeencarried,onthegroundsthatthoughindividualswereatlibertyto dissentwhile amatterwas still under discussion, once it had beensettled the whole assembly should abide by the will of the majority.OnlyAciliusRufusandsevenoreightothers(seventobeprecise)heldto their previous opinion; and several of this small minority raised alaughfortheirtemporaryconscience,orrathertheiraffectationofone.Butyoucanguesswhatastruggleawaitsuswhentherealbattlebegins,ifthiskindofpreliminaryskirmishinghasmadefeelingrunsohigh.

14.ToJuniusMauricus

I accept your invitation to stay with you at Formiae1 on theunderstanding that youdon’t put yourself out in anyway– and Iwillkeeptothesetermsmyself.Itisnottheseaandshorewhichattractme,but thepeace and freedom I shall enjoy in your company; otherwise Imight just as well stay in town. Every man has to choose betweenpleasingothersandpleasinghimself,andIpersonallyhavenotasteforhalf-measures.

15.ToVoconiusRomanus

Youhavemissedanextraordinary scene, and sodid I, though the talehas reached me almost at once. Passennus Paulus, a distinguished

Romanknightandascholarofrepute,writeselegiacverse.Thisrunsin

his family, for he comes from the same town2 as Propertius and

considershimoneofhisancestors.Pauluswasgivingapublic readingand began by saying ‘You bid me, Priscus – ‘ at which JavolenusPriscus,3whowaspresentasagreatfriendofPaulus,exclaimed‘Indeed

Idon’t!’Youcanimaginethelaughterandwitticismswhichgreetedthisremark.ItistruethatPriscusissomewhateccentric,buthetakespartinpublic functions,actsasassessor,andisalsooneof theofficialexpertson civil law;whichmakeshisbehaviouron thisoccasionall themoreremarkable and absurd.Meanwhile Paulus has someone else’s folly toblame for a chilly reception, and this shows how anyone giving areadingmustbewareofeccentricityeitherinhimselforintheaudienceheinvites.

16.ToCorneliusTacitus

Thankyouforaskingmetosendyouadescriptionofmyuncle’sdeathsothatyoucanleaveanaccurateaccountofitforposterity;Iknowthatimmortalfameawaitshimifhisdeathisrecordedbyyou.Itistruethatheperishedinacatastrophewhichdestroyedtheloveliestregionsoftheearth, a fate shared by whole cities and their people, and one somemorable that it is likely to make his name live for ever: and hehimselfwroteanumberofbooksof lastingvalue:butyouwriteforalltime and can still do much to perpetuate his memory. The fortunateman, inmy opinion, is he towhom the gods have granted the powereither to do something which is worth recording or to write what isworth reading, andmost fortunateof all is themanwhocandoboth.

Suchamanwasmyuncle, ashisownbooksandyourswill prove. SoyousetmeataskIwouldchooseformyself,andIammorethanwillingtostartonit.

MyunclewasstationedatMisenum,1inactivecommandofthefleet.On24August,intheearlyafternoon,mymotherdrewhisattentiontoacloudofunusualsizeandappearance.Hehadbeenoutinthesun,hadtakenacoldbath,andlunchedwhilelyingdown,andwasthenworkingathis books.He called forhis shoes and climbedup to aplacewhichwould give him the best view of the phenomenon. Itwas not clear atthat distance from which mountain the cloud was rising (it wasafterwards known to be Vesuvius); its general appearance can best beexpressedasbeinglikeanumbrellapine,foritrosetoagreatheightonasortoftrunkandthensplitoffintobranches,Iimaginebecauseitwasthrust upwards by the first blast and then left unsupported as thepressuresubsided,orelseitwasbornedownbyitsownweightsothatitspread out and gradually dispersed. Sometimes it looked white,sometimesblotchedanddirty,accordingtotheamountofsoilandashesitcarriedwith it.Myuncle’s scholarlyacumensawatonce that itwasimportant enough for a closer inspection, andheorderedaboat tobemadeready,tellingmeIcouldcomewithhimifIwished.IrepliedthatIpreferredtogoonwithmystudies,andas ithappenedhehadhimselfgivenmesomewritingtodo.

AshewasleavingthehousehewashandedamessagefromRectina,wife of Tasciuswhose housewas at the foot of themountain, so thatescapewas impossible exceptbyboat. Shewas terrifiedby thedangerthreatening her and implored him to rescue her from her fate. He

changed his plans, and what he had begun in a spirit of inquiry hecompletedasahero.Hegaveordersforthewarshipstobelaunchedandwentonboardhimselfwiththeintentionofbringinghelptomanymorepeople besides Rectina, for this lovely stretch of coast was thicklypopulated. He hurried to the place which everyone else was hastilyleaving,steeringhiscoursestraightforthedangerzone.Hewasentirelyfearless,describingeachnewmovementandphaseoftheportenttobenoted down exactly as he observed them. Ashes were already falling,hotterandthickerastheshipsdrewnear,followedbybitsofpumiceandblackenedstones,charredandcrackedbytheflames:thensuddenlytheywereinshallowwater,andtheshorewasblockedbythedebrisfromthemountain.Foramomentmyunclewonderedwhethertoturnback,butwhen the helmsman advised this he refused, telling him that Fortunestood by the courageous and they must make for Pomponianus at

Stabiae.1Hewascutoff therebythebreadthof thebay(for theshoregraduallycurvesroundabasin filledby thesea)so thathewasnotasyet in danger, though it was clear that this would come nearer as itspread.Pomponianushadthereforealreadyputhisbelongingsonboardship, intending to escape if the contrary wind fell. This wind was ofcoursefullinmyuncle’sfavour,andhewasabletobringhisshipin.Heembracedhisterrifiedfriend,cheeredandencouragedhim,andthinkinghecouldcalmhisfearsbyshowinghisowncomposure,gaveordersthathewas tobecarried to thebathroom.Afterhisbathhe laydownanddined;hewasquitecheerful,oratanyratehepretendedhewas,whichwasnolesscourageous.

Meanwhile on Mount Vesuvius broad sheets of fire and leapingflames blazed at several points, their bright glare emphasized by the

darknessofnight.Myuncletriedtoallaythefearsofhiscompanionsbyrepeatedly declaring that these were nothing but bonfires left by thepeasantsintheirterror,orelseemptyhousesonfireinthedistrictstheyhadabandoned.Thenhewenttorestandcertainlyslept,forashewasastoutmanhisbreathingwasratherloudandheavyandcouldbeheardbypeoplecomingandgoingoutsidehisdoor.Bythistimethecourtyardgivingaccesstohisroomwasfullofashesmixedwithpumice-stones,sothatitslevelhadrisen,andifhehadstayedintheroomanylongerhewould never have got out. He was wakened, came out and joinedPomponianus and the rest of the householdwho had sat up all night.Theydebatedwhethertostayindoorsortaketheirchanceintheopen,forthebuildingswerenowshakingwithviolentshocks,andseemedtobe swaying to and fro as if they were torn from their foundations.Outside on the other hand, there was the danger of falling pumice-stones, even though these were light and porous; however, aftercomparingtheriskstheychosethelatter.Inmyuncle’scaseonereasonoutweighed theother,but for theothers itwasa choiceof fears.Asaprotection against falling objects they put pillows on their heads tieddownwithcloths.

Elsewhere there was daylight by this time, but they were still indarkness, blacker and denser than any ordinary night, which theyrelievedbylightingtorchesandvariouskindsoflamp.Myuncledecidedtogodowntotheshoreandinvestigateonthespotthepossibilityofanyescapebysea,buthefoundthewavesstillwildanddangerous.Asheetwasspreadonthegroundforhimtohedown,andherepeatedlyaskedforcoldwatertodrink.Thentheflamesandsmellofsulphurwhichgavewarning of the approaching fire drove the others to take flight and

roused him to stand up. He stood leaning on two slaves and thensuddenly collapsed, I imagine because the dense fumes choked hisbreathingbyblockinghiswindpipewhichwasconstitutionallyweakandnarrowandoften inflamed.Whendaylight returnedon the26th– twodays after the last day he had seen – his body was found intact anduninjured,stillfullyclothedandlookingmorelikesleepthandeath.

MeanwhilemymotherandIwereatMisenum,butthisisnotofanyhistoricinterest,andyouonlywantedtohearaboutmyuncle’sdeath.Iwill say nomore, except to add that I have described in detail everyincident which I either witnessed myself or heard about immediatelyafter the event,when reportsweremost likely tobeaccurate. It is foryoutoselectwhatbestsuitsyourpurpose,forthereisagreatdifferencebetweenalettertoafriendandhistorywrittenforalltoread.

17.ToClaudiusRestitutus

Ihavecomeaway froma readinggivenbya friendofmine in suchasorrystateofindignationthatIsimplymustpouroutthewholestorytoyoubyletter,seeingthatthereisnochanceofdoingsoinperson.Thework being read was highly finished in every way, but two or threeclever persons – or so they seemed to themselves and a few others –listened to it like deaf mutes. They never opened their lips, stirred ahand, nor even rose to their feet if only as a change from sitting still.Whatisthepointofallthisdignityandlearning,orratherthislazinessandconceit,thiswantoftactandgoodsense,whichmakesyouspendawholedaygivingoffenceandleavinganenemyinthemanyoucametohearasyourdearest friend?Areyoucleverer thanhe is?All themore

reasonnottogrudgehimhissuccess,forjealousyisasignofinferiority.In fact,whether your ownperformance is better orworse or on a parwithhis, you should showyourappreciation; for if your superiordoesnotmeetwithapplauseneitherwillyou,anditisinyourownintereststhatanyoneyouequalorsurpassshouldbewellreceived.

Personally I always respect and admire anyone who achievessomethinginliterature,forsheisanuncertainmistress,coyandhardtoplease, apt to despise those who despise her. Perhaps you thinkotherwise,thoughthereisnomoreseriousandappreciativecriticofthissubjectthanyourself.ThatiswhyIhavechosenyouratherthananyoneelsetohearaboutmyindignation:youaremostlikelytoshareit.

18.ToStatiusSabinus

I will do my best to take on the case for Firmum,1 as you ask me,althoughIhaveagreatdealofbusinessonmyhands;Iamgladtoobligesuchadistinguishedtownbymyprofessionalservices,andyoutoobyafavourwhichwillpleaseyousomuch.YouarealwayssayingthatyousoughtmyfriendshipforthehelpanddistinctionIbringyou,sothereisnothing I should deny you, especially when your request is made onbehalf of your native town. No petition is so honourable as a loyalcitizen’s,nonesoeffectiveasafriend’s.YoucanpledgemywordthentoyourpeopleofFirmum,orratherourpeople;theirexcellentreputationisa sufficient guarantee that they are worthy of my care and attention,addedtothefactthatthereislikelytobenothingbutgoodinthepeoplewhocanclaimacitizenlikeyou.

19.ToMaeciliusNepos

Haveyouheard that thepriceof landhasgoneup,particularly in theneighbourhoodofRome?Thereasonforthesuddenincreaseinpricehasgivenrise toagooddealofdiscussion.At the lastelection, theSenateexpressedtheveryproperopinionthat‘Candidatesshouldbeprohibitedfrom providing entertainments, distributing presents, and depositingmoney with agents’. The first two practices were employed withoutrestraintorconcealment,and the thirdwasdonesecretlybutwaswellknown to all. When the debate reached our friend Homullus, he wasquick to takeadvantageof theagreement in theSenate;heasked thatthe consuls should inform the Emperor of this unanimous feeling andpetitionhimtotakethought,asonpreviousoccasions,tofindmeanstoremedythisevil.Thishehasdone,byapplyingdielawagainstbriberytoforcecandidatestolimittheirscandalouslygrossexpenditure;andhehasalsocompelledthemtoinvestathirdoftheircapitalinrealestate,thinkingitunseemly(asindeeditwas)thatcandidatesforofficeshouldtreatRomeand Italynotas theirnative country,butas amere innorlodging-house for them on their visits. Consequently candidates arerushingabout, struggling tobuyupanything theyhear is for sale,andthusbringingmore into themarket. So if youare tiredofyour Italianestates, now is the time, believeme, for selling out andbuying in theprovinces–thesamecandidatesaresellingtheretobeabletobuyhere.

20.ToCorneliusTacitus

Sotheletterwhichyouaskedmetowriteonmyuncle’sdeathhasmade

youeagertohearabouttheterrorsandhazardsIhadtofacewhenleftatMisenum, for I broke off at the beginning of this part ofmy story.

“Thoughmymindshrinksfromremembering…Iwillbegin.’1

Aftermyuncle’sdepartureIspenttherestofthedaywithmybooks,asthiswasmyreasonforstayingbehind.ThenItookabath,dined,andthen dozed fitfully for a while. For several days past there had beenearth tremors which were not particularly alarming because they arefrequent in Campania: but that night the shocks were so violent thateverythingfeltasifitwerenotonlyshakenbutoverturned.Mymotherhurried intomy roomand foundmealreadygettingup towakeher ifshewerestillasleep.Wesatdownintheforecourtofthehouse,betweenthebuildingsand the sea closeby. I don’t knowwhether I should callthiscourageorfollyonmypart(Iwasonlyseventeenatthetime)butIcalledforavolumeofLivyandwentonreadingasifIhadnothingelsetodo. Ievenwentonwiththeextracts Ihadbeenmaking.Upcameafriendofmyuncle’swhohadjustcomefromSpaintojoinhim.Whenhesawussittingthereandmeactuallyreading,hescoldedusboth–meformy foolhardiness and my mother for allowing it. Nevertheless, Iremainedabsorbedinmybook.

By now it was dawn, but the light was still dim and faint. Thebuildingsrounduswerealreadytottering,andtheopenspacewewereinwas too small for us not to be in real and imminent danger if thehouse collapsed. This finally decided us to leave the town. We werefollowedbyapanic-strickenmobofpeoplewantingtoactonsomeoneelse’s decision in preference to their own (a point inwhich fear lookslikeprudence),whohurriedusonourwaybypressinghardbehindina

densecrowd.Oncebeyondthebuildingswestopped,andtherewehadsome extraordinary experiences which thoroughly alarmed us. Thecarriageswe had ordered to be brought out began to run in differentdirections though the ground was quite level, and would not remainstationaryevenwhenwedgedwithstones.Wealsosawtheseasuckedaway and apparently forced back by the earthquake: at any rate itreceded from the shore so that quantities of sea creatures were leftstrandedondry sand.On the landward side a fearful black cloudwasrentbyforkedandquiveringburstsofflame,andpartedtorevealgreattonguesoffire,likeflashesoflightningmagnifiedinsize.

At this point my uncle’s friend from Spain spoke up still moreurgently: ‘If your brother, if youruncle is still alive, hewillwant youbothtobesaved;ifheisdead,hewouldwantyoutosurvivehim-whyputoffyourescape?’Werepliedthatwewouldnotthinkofconsideringourownsafetyaslongaswewereuncertainofhis.Withoutwaitinganylonger, our friend rushed off and hurried out of danger as fast as hecould.

Soonafterwardsthecloudsankdowntoearthandcoveredthesea;ithad alreadyblottedoutCapri andhidden thepromontoryofMisenumfromsight.Thenmymotherimplored,entreatedandcommandedmetoescapeasbestIcould–ayoungmanmightescape,whereasshewasoldandslowandcoulddieinpeaceaslongasshehadnotbeenthecauseofmy death too. I refused to savemyself without her, and grasping herhand forcedher to quickenher pace. She gave in reluctantly, blamingherself for delaying me. Ashes were already falling, not as yet verythickly. I lookedround:adenseblackcloudwascomingupbehindus,

spreadingovertheearthlikeaflood.‘Letusleavetheroadwhilewecanstillsee,’Isaid,‘orweshallbeknockeddownandtrampledunderfootinthedarkbythecrowdbehind.’Wehadscarcelysatdowntorestwhendarkness fell,not thedarkofamoonlessorcloudynight,butas if thelamphadbeenputoutinaclosedroom.Youcouldheartheshrieksofwomen, the wailing of infants, and the shouting of men; some werecalling their parents, others their children or their wives, trying torecognizethembytheirvoices.Peoplebewailedtheirownfateorthatoftheirrelatives,andthereweresomewhoprayedfordeathintheirterrorof dying.Many besought the aid of the gods, but stillmore imaginedtherewerenogodsleft,andthattheuniversewasplungedintoeternaldarkness for evermore.Therewerepeople, too,whoadded to the realperils by inventing fictitious dangers: some reported that part ofMisenum had collapsed or another part was on fire, and though theirtales were false they found others to believe them. A gleam of lightreturned, butwe took this to be awarning of the approaching flamesrather thandaylight.However, the flames remained somedistanceoff;then darkness came on oncemore and ashes began to fall again, thistimeinheavyshowers.Werosefromtimetotimeandshookthemoff,otherwise we should have been buried and crushed beneath theirweight.Icouldboastthatnotagroanorcryoffearescapedmeintheseperils, had I notderived somepoor consolation inmymortal lot fromthebeliefthatthewholeworldwasdyingwithmeandIwithit.

Atlastthedarknessthinnedanddispersedintosmokeorcloud;thenthere was genuine daylight, and the sun actually shone out, butyellowishasitisduringaneclipse.Wewereterrifiedtoseeeverythingchanged,burieddeepinasheslikesnowdrifts.WereturnedtoMisenum

where we attended to our physical needs as best we could, and thenspent an anxious night alternating between hope and fear. Fearpredominated, for the earthquakes went on, and several hystericalindividualsmadetheirownandotherpeople’scalamitiesseemludicrousincomparisonwiththeirfrightfulpredictions.Buteventhen,inspiteofthedangerswehadbeen throughandwere still expecting,mymotherandIhadstillnointentionofleavinguntilwehadnewsofmyuncle.

Ofcoursethesedetailsarenotimportantenoughforhistory,andyouwillreadthemwithoutanyideaofrecordingthem;iftheyseemscarcelyworthputtinginaletter,youhaveonlyyourselftoblameforaskingforthem.

21.ToCaniniusRufus

I am an admirer of the ancients, but, not like some people, so as todespisethetalentofourowntimes. It isnottruethattheworld is tootiredandexhausted tobeable toproduceanythingworthpraising:onthe contrary, I have just heard Vergilius Romanus reading to a smallaudienceacomedywhichwassoskilfullymodelledonthe linesof theOldComedy thatoneday itmay serveasamodel itself. Idon’t knowwhetheryouknowtheman,butyoucertainlyoughtto.Heisremarkableforhismoralintegrity,hisintellectualrefinement,andhisversatilityasanauthor.Hisiambicmimesaresubtle,witty,andaltogetherdelightful,in the best style for their type – for there is no type which cannotcommandthebest style if thisachievesperfection.HehasalsowrittencomediesinimitationofMenanderandhiscontemporarieswhichcanbeclassedwiththoseofPlautusandTerence.Thiswashisfirstappearance

inOldComedy, though it didnot seem like a first attempt.He lackedneither vigour, grandeur, nor subtlety of style, pungency, charm, norhumour;hepraisedvirtueandattackedvice,introducedfictitiousnameswhensuitableandmadeappropriateuseof realones.Only inmyowncasedidhisexcessofkindfeelingleadhimtoexaggerate,but,afterall,poetsarenotobligedtokeeptodietruth.

Iwillgetthebookoutofhimandsendittoyoutoread,orrathertolearnbyheart, forIamquitesurethatonceyouhavelaidhandsonityouwillneverbeabletoputitdown.

22.ToCalestriusTiro

Animportantcasehasjustbeenheardwhichisofinteresttoallfutureprovincial governors and to anyone who trusts his friends withoutreserve. Lustricius Bruttianus had detected his colleague, MontaniusAtticinus,inanumberofcriminaloffencesandhadsentareporttotheEmperor.Atticinusthenaddedtohismisdeedsbybringingacaseagainstthe friendhehaddeceived.The trialcameon,and Iactedasassessor.Eachsideconductedhisowncase,dealingwiththemain itemsonebyone, which is the quickest way at arriving at the truth. Bruttianusproducedhiswill,whichhesaidwaswritteninthehandofAtticinus,asaproofbothoftheconfidencehehadplacedintheirrelationshipandofthenecessitywhichconstrainedhimtocomplainaboutamanwhohadbeensodeartohim.Hecitedanumberofshockingcharges,allclearlyproved; being unable to refute them, Atticinus retorted with counter-charges, but merely proved himself a rogue in his defence and ascoundrel by bis accusations. He had bribed a slave belonging to

Bruttianus’ssecretary,hadinterceptedcertainpapersandfalsifiedsomeof them, and,worst of all, had directed a charge intended for himselfagainsthisfriend.

The Emperor dealt with him admirably, asking for an immediateverdict not on Bruttianus but on Atticinus, whowas found guilty andbanishedtoanisland.Bruttianusreceivedawell-deservedtributetohishonesty,andhasalsowonareputationfordetermination,forhefinishedhis defence as quickly as he could and then pressed his chargesvigorously;thusprovinghisspiritaswellashishonourandgoodfaith.

Ihavedescribed thiscase toyouasawarning,nowyouhavebeen

allottedyourprovince,1torelychieflyonyourselfandtrustnooneveryfar.Iwantyoutoknow,too,thatifbyanychanceanyonedoesdeceiveyou(thoughIpraythatnoonewill)thereispunishmentawaitinghim.But be always on your guard so that it shall not be necessary, for thesatisfaction of obtaining redress is no compensation for the misery ofbeingdeceived.

23.ToTriarius

As you are so anxious for me to appear in a case in which you areinterested (a good cause, you say,whichwill add tomy reputation), Iwill do so, but not for nothing. ‘Impossible,’ you will say, ‘for you towant a fee!’ But it is possible, and my fee does no more credit thanofferingmyservicesfornothing.Ihavearequest,orratherastipulationtomake:thatCremutiusRusoshallactwithme.Thisismyusualwayoftreating young men of distinction, for I take a special pleasure inintroducingpromisingyoungpeople to the courts and setting themon

thepath to fame.My friendRusoshouldhavemyhelpbeforeanyone,forhe comesof a good family andhas amarked regard forme, and Ithink it important for him to be seen andheard in the same case andactingon the samesideasmyself.Pleasedome this favour,anddo itbeforeyouhearhimspeak;youwillthankmeforitafterwards.Thecaseisimportantandyouwillbeanxious,butIpromiseyouhewillcomeuptomyexpectations.Heisahighlytalentedyoungmanandwillsoonbebringingothersforwardifinthemeantimehehashisintroductionfromus. No one can make a start, however outstanding his abilities, if helacksscopeandopportunityandapatrontosupporthim.

24.ToCalpurniusMacer

Howoftenwejudgeactionsbythepeoplewhoperformthem!Theself-same deeds are lauded to the skies or allowed to sink into oblivionsimplybecausethepersonsconcernedarewellknownornot.

I was sailing on our Lake Como with an elderly friend when hepointed out a house with a bedroom built out over the lake. ‘Fromthere,’ he said, ‘a woman of our town once threw herself with herhusband.’Iaskedwhy.Thehusbandhadlongbeensufferingfromulcersintheprivateparts,andhiswifeinsistedonseeingthem,promisingthatnoonewouldgivehimamorecandidopinionwhetherthediseasewascurable.Shesawthattherewasnohopeandurgedhimtotakehislife;shewentwithhim,evenledhimtohisdeathherself,andforcedhimtofollowherexamplebyropingherselftohimandjumpingintothelake.YetevenI,whocomefromthesametown,neverheardofthisuntilthe

otherday–notbecauseitwaslessheroicthanArria’sfamousdeed,1but

becausethewomanwaslesswellknown.

25.ToBaebiusHispanus

YousaythatthedistinguishedRomanknightRobustustravelledasfaras

Ocriculum2 with my friend Atilius Scaurus, and then completelyvanished,andyouwantScaurustocomeandseeifhecanputusonthescent.Heshallcome,thoughIfearitmaybenouse.Isuspectsomethinghas happened to Robustus of the same sort as once befell my fellow-townsmanMetiliusCrispus.Ihadobtainedhispromotiontotherankofcenturion and had given him 40,000 sesterces for his outfit andequipment when he set out, but I never had a letter from himafterwards, nor any news of his death. Whether he was killed by hisslaves or alongwith them, no one knows: at any rate, neither Crispusnoranyofthemwereseenagain,anymorethantheslavesofRobustus.Butletustry,andsendforScaurus–thismuchwecandoinanswertoyour request and the very proper entreaties of theworthy youngmanwhoisshowingintelligenceaswellasdevotiontohisfatherinthewayheisorganizingthesearch.Ipraythatwiththegods’helphewillbeassuccessful in finding his father as hewas in discovering themanwhotravelledwithhim.

26.ToJuliusServianus

Iamgladtohear thatyourdaughter is tomarryFuscusSalinator,andmustcongratulateyouonyourchoice.Hebelongs tooneofournoblefamiliesandhis fatherandmotherarebothhighlyrespected;whilehe

himself is scholarly, well read, and something of an orator, and he

combines a childlike frankness and youthful charm with maturejudgement.Nor am Iblindedbyaffection -1 lovehimasdearly ashismeritsandregardformedeserve,butIhavekeptmycriticalpowers:infacttheyaresharpenedbymyloveforhim.Icanassureyou(knowinghimasIdo)thathewillbeason-in-lawwhowillprovebetterthanyourfondest hopes could wish. It only remains for him to give yougrandchildrenlikehimselfassoonaspossible.ItwillbeahappydayformewhenIcantakehischildren,whoarealsoyourgrandchildren,fromyourarmsasifitweremyrightandtheyweremyown.

27.ToVetteniusSeverus

YouaskmetoconsiderwhattributeyoushouldpaytheEmperorinyourspeechasconsul-elect.Hisvirtuesprovideabundantmaterial,sothatitis easy enough to thinkof subjects but not so easy to choose betweenthem.However,Iwillwriteandsendyoumyopinion,orpreferablygiveit you when we meet; but I must first explain my hesitation. I amwondering whether I ought to advise you to do as I did when I wasconsul-elect. I made a point of avoiding anything which looked likeflattery, even if not intended as such, acting not on any principle ofindependencebutonmyknowledgeofourEmperor.IrealizedthatthehighestpraiseIcouldofferhimwastoshowthatIsaidnothingbecauseitwasexpectedofme.Ialsohadinmindthemanytributespaidtotheworstofhispredecessors, and I felt thatnothing coulddistinguishournobleEmperorfromthemsowellasadifferenttypeofspeech.Imadeno attempt to conceal my intention and did not pass over it without

mention, for I did not want him to think it forgetfulness on my partratherthanadeliberatedecision.

ThiswasthelineItookonthatoccasion,butthesamemethoddoesnot appeal to everyone nor is it always suitable, and our reasons fordoingornotdoinganythingdependonchangesinhumanaffairsaswell

as times and situations. In fact, the recent achievements1 of our greatrulergiveyouanopportunitytosaysomethingoriginalwhichshallbegenuinely worth saying. Hencemy doubts, as I said above, whether IshouldadviseyoutoactasIdidinmytime.OnethingIdon’tdoubt–IcouldnotgiveyouanyadvicewithouttellingyouwhatIdidmyself.

28.ToPontiusAllifanus

I knowwhat has kept you from being here towelcomemy arrival inCampania,butthoughabsentinpersonyoumighthavebeenherewithallyoupossess,tojudgebythequantitiesoftownandcountrydelicaciesIhavebeenofferedinyourname.ImustownIwasshamelessenoughtoaccept everything.Your servants beggedme to do so and Iwas afraidyouwouldbeangrywithusallifIrefused.InfutureIshallhavetosetbounds to your hospitality myself if you will not, and I have alreadywarnedyourpeople that if theybring somuchanother time theywillhavetotakeitallbackagain.Youmaysaythatallyouhaveisminetouse:yes,butthatmeansitisalsominetouseinmoderation.

29.UmmidiusQuadratus

Avidius Quietus, whose good opinion of me I valued as much as his

warm affection, had been a friend of Thrasea’s2 and used to tell me

many of his sayings. One he often quoted was that there were threekindsofcasewhichweshouldundertake:our friends’, thosewhichnoone else would take on, and those which establish a precedent. Noexplanation is needed to show why we should help our friends; weshouldundertakethesecondtype,hesaid,asthebestmeansofshowingourgenerosityandstrengthofmind,andthethirdbecausenothingissoimportant as establishing the right precedent. To these I will add afourthtypeofcase,thoughitmayseempresumptiononmypart:caseswhichbringfameandrecognition,forthereisnoreasonwhyaspeakershouldnot sometimes act forhishonour and reputation’s sake, and sopleadhisowncase.Thesethen(asyouaskmyopinion)arethelimitsIwouldlaydownforapersonofyourhighstandinganddiscretion.

Iamquitewellaware thatpractice isgenerallyheld tobe thebestteacher of public speaking, and rightly so; I see plenty of peoplewithsmall talent and no education who have acquired the art of speakingwell simply by speaking, but at the same time I have found byexperiencethatthissaying(whichIamtoldisPollio’s,oratanyrateisattributedtohim)comesnearestthetruth: ‘Bypleadingwell Icametopleadoften,butthisinturnledmetopleadlesswell.’Infactexcessiveapplication is more likely to produce facility and foolhardiness thanfluencyandconfidence.HisshynessandweakvoicepreventedIsocratesfromspeaking inpublic;neverthelesshewas judgedtobeanoratorofthefirstrank.Soread,write,andmakeallthepreparationsyoucan;youwillthenbeabletospeakwhenyouwishandwhendutycallsyou.

Thiswasmyownguidingprincipleonthewhole,thoughtherewere

timeswhenIhadtoyieldtonecessity,whichisoneaspectofreason.IundertookcertaincasesatthebiddingoftheSenate,butsomeofthesecomeunderThrasea’sheadingasestablishingaprecedent.Iappearedfor

thepeopleofBaeticaagainstBaebiusMassa,1when thequestionarosewhether time should be granted them inwhich to collect evidence: itwasgranted.Iactedforthemagainwhentheybroughtachargeagainst

Caecilius Classicus;2 this time the question was whether provincialsshouldbepenalizedforbeingthegovernor’salliesandaccomplices:they

werepunished.IappearedfortheprosecutionwhenMariusPriscus3wasfoundguiltyoftakingbribesandtriedtoprofitfromtheleniencyofthelawdealingwithsuchcases,althoughthechargesagainsthimweretooserious to be covered by the maximum penalty it allowed: he was

banished. I defended Julius Bassus1 on the ground that he had actedfoolishly and without proper caution, but with no criminal intent: hewasallowedtohavehispenaltyassessedbyspecialcourtandretained

hisplaceintheSenate.IspokerecentlyonbehalfofVarenus2whenheapplied for permission to call witnesses from his province for hisdefence: his request was granted. As for the future, I hope I shall berequired to take up cases only when I might suitably have done sounbidden.

30.ToCalpurniusFabatus,hiswife’sgrandfather

I am bound indeed to celebrate your birthday likemy own,whenmyenjoyment of life depends on you; for thanks to your carefulmanagement I canbehappyhereandhavenoworriesabout thingsatComum.

Your Villa Camilla in Campania is certainly suffering from its age,but themorevaluablepartsof thebuildingare still intactorelseonlyveryslightlydamaged,soIwillhaveitrestoredasreasonablyasIcan.AmongstmymanyfriendsIseemtohavepracticallynooneofthetypeyou want for this post; they are all thorough townsfolk, whereas themanagement of country estates needs a stalwart countrymanwhowillneither find the work too hard or beneath him, nor the lonely lifedepressing.Youarequiteright toconsiderRufus,ashewasyourson’sfriend–Idon’tknowquitewhathecandoforusthere,butIamsureheintendstodohisbest.

31.ToCornelianus

IwasdelightedtobesummonedbytheEmperortoactashisassessorat

CentumCellae,3whereIamnow.Nothingcouldgivememorepleasurethantohavefirst-handexperienceofourruler’sjusticeandwisdomandalso to seehim in lightermood, ashe canbewhenaway fromRome.There were several different types of case which tested his judicialpowersinvariousways.ThefirstonewasthatofClaudiusAristion,theleading citizen of Ephesus, popular for bis generosity and politicallyharmless; but he had roused the envy of people of a vastly differentcharacterwhohadsubornedaninformeragainsthim.Hewasclearedofthechargeandacquitted.

The case heard on the following day was that of Gallitta, chargedwithadultery.Shewasthewifeofamilitarytribunewhowasjustaboutto stand forciviloffice,andhadbroughtdisgraceonherownandherhusband’s position by an affair with a centurion. Her husband had

reported it to the governor, and he had informed the Emperor. Aftersifting theevidence theEmperor cashiered the centurionandbanishedhim.Therestillremainedthesecondhalfofthesentence,forthechargecouldonlyhavebeenmadeagainst twopersons;buthere thehusbandheldbackoutofaffectionforhiswifeandwascensuredforcondoningherconduct.Evenafterhehadreportedhiswife’sadulteryhehadkepther in his house, apparently satisfied once he had got rid of his rival.Whensummonedtocompletehisaccusationhedidsowithreluctance,but it was essential that the woman should be convicted, howeverunwillingher accuser. Shewasduly foundguilty and sentencedunder

theJulianlaw.1 Inpronouncing judgementtheEmperormentionedthenameofthecenturionandmadeastatementonmilitarydiscipline,forhedidnotwishallcasesofthiskindtobereferredtohim.

On the third day began an inquiry into Julius Tiro’s will, a casewhich had given rise to a good deal of discussion and conflictingrumours. Someof the additional clauses to thewillwere agreed to begenuine; the rest were said to be forged. The persons chargedwere aRoman knight, Sempronius Senecio, and Eurythmus, one of theEmperor’sfreedmenandprocurators.Theheirshadwrittenajointletterto the Emperor while he was in Dacia, begging him to conduct theinquiry.Hehadagreedtodoso,andhadfixedadayforthetrialonhisreturn.Thenhe found that someof theheirswere reluctant to appearagainst Eurythmus and intended to drop the case, but he had very

properly declared that ‘He is not Polyclitus2 nor am I Nero.’ He hadhoweveragreed toanadjournment, and tookhis seat tohear the casenowthatthetime-limithadexpired.Onlytwooftheheirswerepresent,andtheyaskedthateitherall theheirsshouldbecompelledtoappear,

as all were responsible for the prosecution, or that they shouldthemselves be allowed to drop the case. The Emperor’s reply wasrestrained and impressive, but, when the counsel for Senecio andEurythmussaidthathisclientswereleftundersuspicioniftheywerenotgiven a hearing, ‘I am not concerned somuchwith their position,’ hesaid, ‘aswith the fact that I am left under suspicionmyself.’ Then heturned to us. ‘Consider what we ought to do. These people want tocomplain about being let off the charge against them.’ Acting on ouradvicehe thengaveorders that all theheirswere tobe summoned tocarry on the case or else to give adequate reasons individually fordroppingit:otherwisehewoulddeclarethemguiltyof institutingfalsecharges.

As you see, our days were well spent on serious matters, but weenjoyed our relaxations in the evenings, The Emperor invited us todinnereveryday,asimpleaffairifyouconsiderhisposition.Sometimeswewereentertainedbyrecitations,orelse thenightwasprolongedbypleasant conversation, and, on our last day, with his usual thoughtfulgenerosity, he sent us all parting gifts. I took great pleasure in theimportanceofthecases,thehonourofbeinganassessor,andthecharmandinformalityofoursociallife,andIwasnolessdelightedintheplaceitselfThehouseisreallybeautiful: it issurroundedbygreenfieldsandfaces the sea-shore, where a natural bay is being converted with allspeedintoaharbour.Theleftarmhasalreadybeenreinforcedbyasolidmoleandtheright is inprocessofconstruction.Attheentrancetotheharbouranislandisrisingoutofthewatertoactasabreakwaterwhenthewindblowsinland,andsogiveasafepassagetoshipsenteringfromeither side. Its construction is well worth seeing. Huge stones are

broughtbylargebargesandthrownoutoneontopofanotherfacingtheharbour;theirweightkeepstheminpositionandthepilegraduallyrisesinasortof rampart.Ahumpof rockscanalreadybeseenstickingup,whichbreaksthewavesbeatingagainstitandtossesthemhighintotheairwitharesoundingcrash,sothattheseaallroundiswhitewithfoam.Lateronpierswillbebuiltonthestonefoundation,andastimegoesonit will look like a natural island. The harbour will be called after itsmaker, and is in fact already known by his name; and it will savecountlesslivesbyprovidingahavenonthislongstretchofharbourlesscoast.

32.ToQuintilianus1

IknowyourowntastesareofthesimplestandthatyouhavebroughtupyourdaughterasbefitsadaughterofyoursandagrandchildofTutilius;butassheistomarrysodistinguishedapersonasNoniusCeler,whosepublicdutiesobligehimtokeepupacertainamountofstyle,sheoughtto be provided with clothes and attendants in keeping with herhusband’sposition.Thesethingscannotincreaseherworth,butcangiveit thesetting itneeds. Iknowtoothatyouarerich in intellectualgiftsbutthatyourmeansarelimited,soIwanttoshareyourburdenandplaythe part of a second father to your daughter. I am therefore settling50,000sestercesonher,andwouldoffermorewereInotsurethatitisonly the triflirg nature of the giftwhichwill prevail on your sense ofdelicacytoacceptit

33.ToVoconiusRomanus

‘Away with everything,’ he said, ‘and put aside whatever you have

begun!’2 Youmay be reading something orwriting – put it down andtake up my speech; like Vulcan’s arms, it is divine. Could conceit gofarther?But,seriously,comparedwithmyotherspeechesitisveryfine,andIamquitecontenttorivalmyself.ItwasdeliveredonbehalfofAttiaViriola, and its interest lies not only in the position of the personconcernedbutalsointherarityofthistypeofcaseandthesizeofthecourt which heard it. Herewas awoman of high birth, thewife of apraetorian senator, disinherited by her eighty-year-old father ten daysafter he had fallen in love and brought home a stepmother for hisdaughter, and now suing for her patrimony in the united CentumviralCourt.Onehundredandeightyjudgesweresitting,thetotalforthefourpanels acting together; both parties were fully represented and had alarge number of seats filled with their supporters, and a close-packedringofonlookers, several rowsdeep, lined thewallsof thecourtroom.The benchwas also crowded, and even the gallerieswere full ofmenand women leaning over in their eagerness to see and also to hear,though hearing was rather more difficult. Fathers, daughters andstepmothers all anxiously awaited the verdict. This proved not to beunited,fortwodivisionsvotedforusandtwoagainst.Suchdivergenceofopinionwasparticularlysurprisinginasinglecase,conductedbythesame counsel before the same judges at the same hearing. By purechance, though itmighthavebeen thought otherwise, the stepmother,who had been left a sixth of the estate, lost her case, and so didSuburanus, who had the extraordinary impudence to claim someoneelse’spatrimonywhenhehadbeendisinheritedbyhisown fatheranddarenotsueforhisown.

I have told you this so that this letter shall explain anything youcannot understand from the speech, and also (for I don’t conceal myguile)becauseIthoughtyouwouldbemorewillingtoreadthespeechifyou imagined yourself present at the actual trial. It is long, but I feelsureitwillbeaspopularasashortone,fortheinterestiskeptupbythelively arrangement of the abundantmaterial, the frequentuse of shortanecdotes,andthevarietyoforatoricalstyle.Muchofitisinthegrandmannerandfulloffire(Iwouldn’tdaresaythistoanyoneelse)butthereare long sections in a plainer style, where I was often obliged tointroduce calculations into die midst of my impassioned and loftyarguments,andpracticallydemandcountersandaboardforreckoning,asifmycasehadbeentransformedintoaprivateone.Igavefullplaytomyfeelingsofwrathandindignation,andsteeredbycoursethroughthisvastly important casewith thewind full inmy favour. In fact someofmyfriendsthinkthatincomparisonwithmyotherspeeches,thisoneis

my ‘De Corona’.1Whether this is so or not, you can easily judge. Youhaveallmyspeechesbyheart, soyouonlyhave to read theone Iamsendingnowtobeabletomakeyourcomparison.

34.ToValerius(?)Maximus

Youdidwell toputona showofgladiators forourpeopleofVerona,whohave long shown theiraffectionandadmiration foryouandhavevoted you “many honours. Verona was also the home town of theexcellentwifeyoulovedsodearly,whosememoryyouowesomepublicbuildingorshow,andthiskindofspectacleisparticularlysuitableforafuneraltribute.Moreover,therequestcamefromsomanypeoplethata

refusalwouldhavebeen judgedchurlish rather than strong-mindedonyourpart.Youhavealsodoneadmirably ingivingtheshowsoreadilyandonsuchalavishscale,forthisindicatesatruespiritofgenerosity.

IamsorrytheAfricanpanthersyouhadboughtinsuchquantitiesdidnot turnupon theappointedday,butyoudeserve thecreditalthoughtheweatherpreventedtheirarrivingintime; itwasnotyourfault thatyoucouldnotshowthem.

BOOKSEVEN

1.ToRosianusGeminus

Thispersistentill-healthofyoursisalarming,and,althoughIknowthatyour self-control is generally excellent, I amafraid that your charactermaybeaffectedIcanonlyadviseyoutobepatientandendure;thereishopeof recovery aswell asmerit in this, and it is not beyondhumancapacity. At any rate I personally, when in good health, have oftenspoken like this tomy household:’ I hope that if I chance to fall ill, Ishall not ask for anything which would be a reason, for subsequentshameandregret,but,ifillnessgetstheupperhand,Iwarnyounownotto give me anything without the doctors’ permission, or else I shallpunish you as anyone else would for refusing.’ I was indeed oncesufferingfromaragingfever:at last itbegantoabate, Iwasoiledandmassagedandwas just takingadrink fromthedoctorwhenIheldoutmyhandforhimtofeelmypulse,andrefusedthecupwhichhadbeenputtomylips.Lateron,whenIhadbeenillnearlythreeweeks,Iwasbeingpreparedforabath,butsuddenlynoticedthedoctorswhisperingandaskedthereasonwhy.Theyrepliedthatprobablyitwasquitesafeformetotakeabath,buttheyfeltalittledoubtfulaboutit.‘Thenisitnecessary?’Iasked,andsowithoutprotestquietlygaveuphopeofthe

bath which in my imagination I was already entering, and resignedmyself again to do without it with the same inward and outwardcomposureaswhenIwasinastateofanticipation.

Myinitialreasonfortellingyouthiswastohaveanexampletoillustratemyadvice,butIcanalsousethisletterasakindofpledgetobindmetopractisethesameself-controlinfuture.

2.ToFabius(?)Justus

Idon’tseehowyoucansayinthesamebreaththatyourtimeistakenup by incessant public duties and ask to see my speeches! I havedifficultyenoughwhenpeoplehaveplentyoftimeinpersuadingthemtogive up a moment of their wasted hours. I will let you finish thesummer,which I know is always a busy and trying time for you, andtheninwinter,whenyournightsatleastarelikelytobefree,Iwilllookthroughmy efforts for something to send.Meanwhile I ammore thansatisfiedifmylettersatenotanuisance;butIexpecttheyareandwillmakethemshorterinfuture.

3.ToBruttius(?)Praesens

How much longer will you persist in dividing your time between

Lucania1 and Campania? I know you say that Lucania is your nativedistrictandCampaniayourwife’s,butthatcanonlyjustifyaprolongedabsence,notaperpetualone.AreyouevercomingbacktoRome,backto your honours and official duties, your influential friendships, andyourclients’attentions?Howmuchlongerwillyoubeyourownmaster,

stayupwhenyoufeelinclined,andsleepaslongasyoulike?Howlong

willyourshoesgounwornandyourtogastayonholiday,whileallyourday is your own? It is time you renewed acquaintance with ourvexations, if only to prevent your pleasures diminishing through sheersurfeit.Comeandpayyourrespectstouseforawhilesoastobebetterpleasedtoreceiveotherpeoples’,andrubshouldersinthecrowdhereinordertoappreciateyoursolitudethemore.

ButitissillyofmetoriskdiscouragingtheverypersonIamtryingtopersuade;myargumentsmaywellinduceyoutosinkdeeperanddeeperinto retirement, though I am not asking you to give it up, only tointerrupt it. If Iweregivingyouadinner, I shouldalternate thesweetdisheswithpiquant savouries to stimulateyourpalatewhendulledbytoomuchsweetness;andsoIamaskingyounowtoseasonyourpleasantwayoflivingwithsomethingalittlemorestimulating.

4.ToPontiusAllifanus

Yousaythatyouhavereadmyhendecasyllables,andyouwanttoknowhowaseriousmanlikemecametowritethem;andIamnotfrivolous,Iadmit.Tostartat thebeginning, Iwasalways interested inpoetryandwroteaGreektragedyattheageoffourteen.WhatitwaslikeIcan’tsay– anyway, I called it a tragedy. Later on I was weatherbound in the

islandofIcaria2whileonmywayhomefrommilitaryservice,andwrotesome Latin elegiacs with the sea and island for theme. I have alsooccasionallytriedmyhandatepicverse,butthisismyfirstattemptathendecasyllables.ThisishowIcametomakeit.WhileIwasstayinginmyhouseatLaurentumIhadAsiniusGallus’sworksreadaloudtome,in

whichhedrawsacomparisonbetweenhisfatherandCiceroandquotesanepigramofCicero’sonhisfavouriteTiro.Then,whenIhadretiredformy siesta (itwas summer) andwas unable to sleep, I began to reflectuponthe fact thatall thegreatestoratorshadamused themselveswiththiskindofwritingandhadwonfamethereby.Isetmymindtoit,and,to my surprise, in spite of being long out of practice, I had soonexpressedtheverythoughtwhichhadinspiredmetowrite.Thiswastheresult:

ReadingtheworksofGallus,whereheventures

Tohandthepalmofglorytohisfather,

IfoundthatCicerocouldunbendhistalent

Toplaywithpolishedwitonlightertheme.

Tiro,hesays,defraudsandcheatshislover

Ofkissespromisedforadinnereaten,

Whythenconcealmyblushes,whynotpublish

MyTiro’swilesandcoyendearingfavours

Wherebyheheapsthefuelonmypassion?

NextItriedsomeelegiacverses,whichIfinishedjustasquickly,andfinding them so easy I was tempted to addmore. Afterwards, when Ireturned to Rome, I read them tomy friends, whowere appreciative.Then I made attempts in various other metres whenever I had time,especiallywhentravelling.FinallyIdecidedtodoasmanyauthorshavedone and complete a separate volume of hendecasyllables; and I haveneverregrettedthis.Myversesarereadandcopied,theyareevensung,

andset to thecitharaor lyrebyGreekswhohave learnedLatinoutofhiring formy little book. But Imust not boast (though poets can talkwildly!)evenifitisnotmyownopinionIamquotingbutotherpeople’s–whichpleasesmewhether rightorwrong. I onlypray thatposteritywillberightorwronginthesameway.

5.TohiswifeCalpumia

YoucannotbelievehowmuchImissyou. I loveyousomuch,andwearenotusedtoseparations.SoIstayawakemostofthenightthinkingofyou, andbyday I findmy feet carryingme (a trueword, carrying) toyour room at the times I usually visited you; then finding it empty Idepart,assickandsorrowfulasaloverlockedout.TheonlytimeIamfreefromthismiseryiswhenIamincourtandwearingmyselfoutwithmyfriends’lawsuits.YoucanjudgethenwhatalifeIamleading,whenIfindmyrestinworkanddistractionintroublesandanxiety.

6.ToCaedliusMacrinus

Amostextraordinary thinghashappened toVarenus,1 though it isnotyetdefinitelysettled.TheBithyniansarereportedtohavedroppedtheircase against him, as an ill-advised venture. I say ‘reported’, but therepresentativeoftheprovinceisherewithhisCouncil’sdecree,copiesofwhichhehaspresentedtotheEmperor,toalargenumberofprominentcitizensand tous,asacting forVarenus.However,Magnus isbeingasobstinate as ever and keeps on harassing that excellentmanNigrinus,through whom he has approached the consuls with a demand for

Varenustobecompelledtoproducehisaccounts.

At this stage Iwas standingbyVarenus in a friendly capacity onlyanddecidedtosaynothing,foritcouldonlyhavedonehimharmifthecounselgivenhimbytheSenatebeganbydefendinghimasifhewereontrialwhentheessentialthingwastoshowthathewasnotontrialatall.ButwhenNigrinushadmadehisrequestandtheconsuls turnedtome,IsaidthattheywouldseethatIhadgoodreasonformysilenceassoon as they had heard the true representatives of the province. ‘Towhomhavetheybeensent?’askedNigrinus. ‘Tome,amongstothers,’Ireplied: ‘I have the Council’s decree.’ ‘You may have your owninformation,’hesaid. ‘Ifyouhaveyours,’Iretorted, ‘surelyImayhavemine – of a better sort.’ Then Polyaenus, the Bithynian spokesman,explainedtheirreasonsfordroppingtheprosecutionandaskedthatnodecision should be taken before the Emperor held an inquiry.Magnusrepliedtothis,andPolyaenusspokeagain.Ithrewinafewwordsnowandthen,butkeptsilentmostofthetime,forIhavelearnedthatthereareoccasionswhensilenceisaseffectiveaformoforatoryaseloquence.I can indeed remember certain criminal cases when I did my clientsmore good by saying nothing than I could have done by the mostelaboratespeech.

For example (there is nothing to stop me from discussing myprofessional activities, though I had another purpose in writing thisletter),amotherwhohadlosthersonchargedhisfreedmen,whowereheirs to the estatewith her, of poisoning theirmaster and forging hiswill. She had brought her case before the Emperor and been grantedJulius Servianus to judge it. I haddefended the accusedmenbefore a

largeassembly,forthecasewascelebratedandthereweredistinguishedpersonalities engagedonboth sides.The inquirywas stoppedafter thecourthadcometoadecisioninfavourofthedefendants.Subsequentlythe mother approached the Emperor with a declaration that she haddiscovered fresh evidence. Suburanus was instructed to hear the caseagain, if she could produce any new material. The mother wasrepresentedbyJuliusAfricanus,thegrandsonofthefamousoratoraboutwhom Passienus Crispus said after hearing him speak ‘Fine, by Jove,fine; butwhy so fine?’His grandson, an able youngmanbut abit toosharp,hadsaidagooddealandcometo theendofhis time-limit,butthen asked Suburanus for permission to add ‘just onemoreword’.Myturncame,andeveryonewaslookingtomeforalengthyreply.‘Ishouldhave spoken in reply,’ I said, ‘if Africanus had added his “one moreword”,forthis,Iamsure,wouldhavecontainedallthefreshevidence.’IcanscarcelyremembereverwinningsuchapplauseforaspeechasIdidonthatoccasionfornotmakingone.

The same sort of reception and applause has greetedmy policy ofsaying nothing for Varenus. The consuls have granted Polyaenus’srequestandleftthewholequestionopenfortheEmperortodecide.Iamanxiously awaiting the result, for that daywill determinewhetherwearetohavesomepeaceandrespitefromworryonVarenus’saccountortorenewoureffortswithfreshanxiety.

7.ToPompeiusSatumims

IthankedourfriendPriscusonlytheotherday,butIwasverygladtodosoagainatyourbidding.Itisagreatpleasuretomethatsplendidmen

like yourselves, both friends of mine, should be so devoted andconsciousofyourmutualattachment.Priscusalsodeclaresthatnothinggiveshimgreaterhappinessthanhisfriendshipwithyouandvieswithyouinthisbestofrivalries,areciprocatedaffectionwhichwillincreaseastimegoeson.

Iamsorrytohearthatyouareimmersedinbusiness,asitkeepsyoufromyourownwork,but ifyoucansettleonecasebyarbitrationandtheother,asyousay,byyourownefforts,youwillbegintoenjoyyourleisurewhereyouare;andthencanreturntouswhenyouaretiredofit.

8.ToNeratius(?)Prisms

Words cannot expressmypleasure on receiving letter after letter fromourfriendSaturninus,inwhichheexpresseshiswarmestthankstoyou.Goonasyouhavebegun, love thissplendidmanasmuchasyoucan;hisfriendshipwillproveasourceoflongandlastinghappinessforheisendowedwithallthevirtues,notleastthegiftofunfailingloyaltyinhisaffections.

9.ToFuscusSalinator

YouaskmewhatcourseofstudyIthinkyoushouldfollowduringyourpresentprolongedholiday.Themostusefulthing,whichisalwaysbeingsuggested,istotranslateGreekintoLatinandLatinintoGreek.Thiskindof exercise develops in one a precision and richness of vocabulary, awide range of metaphor, and power of exposition, and, moreover,imitation of the best models leads to a like aptitude for original

composition. At the same time, any point which might have been

overlooked by a reader cannot escape the eye of a translator. All thiscultivatesperceptionandcriticalsense.

Whenyouhavereadapassagesufficientlytorememberthesubject-matterandlineofthought,thereisnoharminyourtryingtocompetewith it; then compare your efforts with the original and considercarefully where your version is better or worse. You may wellcongratulate yourself if yours is sometimes better and feel muchashamed if the other is always superior to yours. You may alsosometimes choose a passage you knowwell and try to improve on it.Thisisadaringattempt,butdoesnotpresumetoofarwhenitismadeinprivate;andyetweseemanypeopleentering this typeofcontestwithgreat credit to themselves and,bynot lacking confidence, outstrippingtheauthorswhomtheyonlyintendedtofollow.Youcanalsorevisethespeechesyouhaveputaside,retainingmuchoftheoriginal,butleavingout stillmoreandmakingotheradditionsandalterations.This Iknowyouwillthinkatediouslabour,butitsverydifficultymakesitprofitabletorekindleyourfireandrecoveryourenthusiasmwhenonceitsforceisspent; to graft new limbs, in fact, on to a finished trunk withoutdisturbingthebalanceoftheoriginal.

Iknowthatyourchiefinterestatthepresenttimeisforensicoratory,but that is not a reason for advising you to limit yourself to thisprovocativeandsomewhatpugnaciousstyle.Thesoilisrefreshedwhensownwithsuccessivechangesofseed,andsoareourmindsifcultivatedbydifferent subjects. I should likeyou sometimes to takeapassageofhistorical narrative or turn your attention to letter-writing, for often

even in a speech the subject calls for a narrative or a poetic style ofdescription; and letters develop brevity and simplicity of style. It ispermissible,too,toseekrelaxationinwriting,poetry,bywhichImeannot a long continuous poem (which can only be finished if one hasplentyof leisure),butoneof thoseshort,polishedsetsofverseswhichmakeabreakinyourdutiesandresponsibilities,howeverpressing.Thisiscalledlightverse,butitsometimesbringsitsauthorsasmuchfameasseriouswork. In fact (forwhy shouldn’t I versify to encourage you totaketoverse?)

ThebeautyofwaxisitspowertoyieldTothefingers’skilfultouch;Thustaught,itcanshapethegodofWar,ChasteWisdomorLoveorherson.Thesecretspringscanquenchaflame,Orgladdentheflowersandfields;Sothemindofman,throughthegentleartsIstaughtthewisdomofchange.

The greatest orators, and the greatest men, too, used to train oramuse themselves in thisway – or rather, combine their trainingwithamusement, for it is remarkable how themind is both stimulated andrelaxed by these trifles. They comprise our loves and hatreds, ourindignation, compassion andwit, in fact every phase of life and everydetailofourpublicandprofessionalactivities.Theyalsoofferthesameadvantagesasotherformsofpoetry;whenwehavebeenboundbytherestrictions of metre, we delight in the freedom of prose and gladlyreturntowhatcomparisonhasshowntobetheeasierstyle.

Perhapsthisismorethanyouwanted,butthereisonemorething.IhavesaidnothingaboutwhatIthinkyoushouldread,thoughthiswas

implied when I was telling you what to write. Remember to make acareful selection from representative authors in each subject, for thesayingis thatamanshouldbedeeply,notwidely,read.Theseauthorsare too well known and approved to need further indication; and,besides,IhaveletthisletterrunonsofarthatIamrobbingyouoftimeforworkwithallmyadviceonplanningit.Backthentoyourbooksandwriting – either something on the lines I suggest, or what you havealreadystarted.

10.ToCaeciliusMacrinus

If I have heard the beginning of a story I alwayswant to pick up thethreadandaddtheconclusion,soIexpectyou,too,wouldliketohearthe end of the affair between Varenus and the Bithynians. Polyaenusspoke on one side andMagnus on the other. The Emperor listened tobothspeechesandthendeclaredthatneitherpartyshouldhavecausetocomplain of delay; he would undertake to find out the wishes of theprovince. Meanwhile Varenus has gained much, for the justice of thechargeagainsthimisallthemoredoubtfulwhenitisstilluncertainifheis being charged at all. We can only hope that the province will notdecide again in favour of what it was reported to have rejected, not

thinkbetterofitschangeofheart1

11.ToCalpumiusFabatus,hiswife’sgrandfather

YouaresurprisedtohearthatmyfreedmanHermeshassoldtoCorellia,withoutwaiting for thepublic auction, the landwhich I inheritedand

ordered tobeputup for sale,valuingmy five-twelfthsof theestateat

700,000 sesterces. It might have fetched 900,000 you say, and thismakes you wonder all themore whether I shall confirmwhat he hasdone.Yes,Ido;andherearemyreasons,forIamanxioustohaveyourapproval andmy fellow-heirs’ forgiveness if I disassociatemyself fromtheminobediencetoahigherclaim.

IhavethegreatestrespectandaffectionforCorellia,firstasthesisterofCorelliusRufus,whosememoryIalwaysholdsacred,andthenasmymother’s dearest friend. Then I have old ties of friendship with herexcellenthusbandMiniciusJustus,as Ididwithherson,whopresidedoverthegamesheldduringmypraetorship.Duringmylastvisittoyou,whenCorelliatoldmethatshewouldliketoownsomepropertyontheshoresofLakeComo,itwasIwhoofferedheranyoneofmyestatessheliked,atherownprice,withtheexceptionofwhatIinheritedfrommyparents;forthoseIcouldnotgiveupeventoher.Consequently,whenIinheritedthisproperty,whichincludedthelandyoureferto,Iwroteandtoldheritwasforsale.Hermestookhertheletter,andwhensheaskedhimtotransfermysharetoheratonce,hedidso.

I am bound then, as you see, to confirm an action of my ownfreedmanwhichwasinaccordancewithmyownwishes.Theonlythingnowisformyfellow-heirsnottobeannoyedwithmeforhavingallowedaseparatesaleofwhatIneednothavesoldatall.Thereisnonecessityfor them to followmy example, for they have not the same ties withCorellia; so they are permitted to consider their own interests, thoughfriendshiptookpriorityovermine.

12.ToMinidusFundams

Hereistheshortspeechwhichyouaskedmetowrite,foryourfriend(orrather for our friend, aswe have everything in common) to use if heneedsit.Ihavesentitatthelastminute,toleaveyounotimetocorrect,which means to spoil it. Doubtless though you will find time – forspoilingcertainly, forcorrecting I can’t say:youpurists cutoutall thebestpassages!ButIshan’tcare,forIcanpasstheresultoffasmyownsome day, and take the credit for your fastidiousness, as I do for thepassages you will find marked with an alternative version writtenbetweenthe lines.ForIsuspectedthatyouwouldfinditssonorityandgrandeurrathertoopompous,soI thought itwouldbebesttoputyouout of your misery by adding something shorter and plainer straightaway–ameaner, inferiorversion, in fact, thoughyoumaythink itanimprovement. (Here’smy chance tomake a real attack on your ultra-refinement.)Sofar1havebeentryingtoraiseasmilefromyouinthemidstofyour responsibilities,but this is serious:be sure to refundmyexpenses for takingthe trouble tosendthisbyspecialmessenger.Nowyouhave read this request youwill condemn thewhole speechout ofhand and not just the details, being unwilling to admit it is worthanythingwhenyouareaskedtopayforit.

13.ToJuliusFerox

Thesameletterofyourstellsmethatyouaredoingnoworkandyetyouareworking. I speak in riddles, you protest; so I do, until Imakemymeaningclear.Yousayyouarenotworking,butyour letter is sowell

phrasedthatitcouldonlyhavebeenwrittenbysomeonewhoworkedatit; or else youare luckier than the rest ofus inbeingable toproduceworkofsuchfinishinyouridlemoments.

14.ToCorellia

It isverygenerousofyouto insistsowarmlythat Ishouldgiveordersforthepriceyouaretopayformylandtoberaisedfromthe700,000sesterces agreed bymy freedman to 900,000, the real value onwhichyouhavehadtopaythefive-per-centinheritancetax.ButImustinsistinmyturnthatyouconsiderwhatistherightcourseforme,aswellasforyou,andallowmetoopposeyouonthisonepointinthesamespiritinwhichIusuallycomplywithallyourwishes.

15.ToPompeiusSatuminus

Youwantmynews,but there is nothingnew to tell; I am involved inpublic duties, active on behalf of my friends, and occasionally doingsome work of my own. If I could describe the work as exclusive andcontinuousIshouldcertainlybehappier,thoughIwouldnotliketosaymy.timewouldbebetterspent.Asforyournews,Ishouldbesorrytohearthatyouractivitiesaretheoppositeofwhatyouwouldchoosewereyounotsohonourablyemployed;formanagingtheaffairsofone’scitymeritsourhighestpraisenolessthansettlingdisputesbetweenfriends.

IfeltsurethatyouwouldenjoythecompanyofourfriendPriscus.Iknowwhat a frank and charming person he is, but I had yet to learnhowgratefulhecouldbe:if,asyousayinyourletter,hehassuchhappy

memoriesofmyservices.

16.ToCalpurniusFabatus,hiswife’sgrandfather

CalestriusTiro is oneofmydearest friends, andwehavebeen closelyassociated in both personal and official relations.We did ourmilitaryservicetogetherandwerebothquaestorsservingtheEmperor.Heheldtheofficeoftribunebeforeme,throughtheprivilegegrantedtofathersof children,but I caughthimup in thepraetorshipwhen theEmperorgave me a year’s remission. I have often visited him in his countryhouses,andhehasoftenspenttimesofconvalescenceinmyhome.

He is now setting out for Baetica as governor of the province, and

willpass throughTicinum.1 Ihope, in fact Iamsure, that I caneasilypersuadehim to leavehisdirect route topayyouavisit, if you reallyintend to liberate formally the slaves you recently pronounced freebefore your friends. Youneed not fear that thiswill be a trouble to aman who would not find a journey round the world too far on mybehalf. So be rid of your usual diffidence and consult your owninclinations.HewillbeaspleasedtodomybiddingasIamtodoyours.

17.ToCaedlius(?)Celer

Everyonehashisownreasonsforreadinghisworkaloud;myown,asIhaveoftensaid,istobetoldoftheslipsIknowIamsuretohavemade.So I am all themore surprised to read in your letter that there werepeoplewhocriticizedme forgivinganyreadingofmyspeechesatall:unlesstheythinkthatthisistheonlykindofwritingwhichneverneeds

correction. Ishouldliketoaskthemwhytheyallow(if theydoallow)

readingsofhistory,whoseauthorsaimattruthandaccuracyratherthanatdisplayingtheirtalents,andtragedy,whichneedsastageandactorsratherthanalecture-room,andlyricpoetry,whichcallsforachorusandalyreinsteadofareader.Theysaythatsuchreadingsareanestablishedcustom.Thenistheiroriginatortobeblamed?Besides,therehavebeenreadingsof speechesbefore,by someofourownoratorsaswell asbytheGreeks.

‘Butitisunnecessarytoreadaspeechalreadydelivered.’Itwouldbeiftheaudienceandthespeechwereexactlythesame,andyoureadthespeechimmediatelyafterdelivery;butifyoumakecertainadditionsandalterations, if you invite new people alongwith thosewho heard youbefore,andafteracertaininterval,whyshoulditbelesssuitabletoreadaspeechthantopublishit?‘Itisdifficultforareadingofaspeechtobesatisfactory.’Thatdependsontheeffortsofthereaderandisnoreasonfor not reading at all. Personally, I do not seek praise for my speechwhenit isreadaloud,butwhenthetextcanbereadafterpublication,andconsequentlyIemployeverypossiblemethodofcorrection.Firstofall,Igothroughmyworkmyself;next,Ireadittotwoorthreefriendsand send it to others for comment. If I have any doubts about theircriticisms, I go over them againwith one or two people, and finally Ireadtheworktoalargeraudience;andthatisthemoment,believeme,when I make my severest corrections, for my anxiety makes meconcentrateallthemorecarefully.Respectforanaudience,modestyandanxietyarethebestcritics.Lookatitinthisway:ifyouaregoingtotalktoasingleindividual,howeverwellinformed,won’tyoubelessnervousthanyou are before largenumberswhomaybe quite ignorant?When

you rise to plead in court, isn’t that themomentwhen youhave leastconfidence in yourself, when you wish you could alter most of yourspeechorindeedthewhole?Especiallyifthesceneisimposingandtheassembly large, for even the sight of dirty working clothes can beintimidating. If you feel that your opening words are badly received,don’tyoufalterandbreakdown?I imagine it isbecause there issomesort of sound collective wisdom in mere numbers, so that, thoughindividualjudgementsmaybepoor,whencombinedtheycarryweight.ThusitwasthatPomponiusSecundus,theauthoroftragedies,ifoneofhisclosefriendshappenedtothinkthatsomepassageshouldbedeletedwhenhewishedtokeepit,usedtosaythathe‘appealedtothepeople’:and according to the people’s silence or applause hewould act on hisown judgement or that of his friend. Such was his faith in publicopinion,whetherrightlyorwronglyitisnotformetosay.ForIdonotinvite the general public, but a select and limited audience of personswhom I admire and trust, whom I observe individually and fear as awhole;seeingthatIapplytofearwhatCicerosaidaboutthepracticeofwriting.Fearisthesternestcorrective–theprospectofgivingareading,ourentryintothelecture-room,ourwhitefaces,ourtrembling,andournervousglances,allpromptustocorrectourwork.

ConsequentlyIdonotregretmypractice;experiencehastaughtmeits great advantages, and I am so far from being deterred by the idlecomments of the people you quote that I should like-you to suggestsomethingelseIcando.Nothingcansatisfymydesireforperfection;Ican never forget the importance of putting anything into the hands ofthepublic,andIampositivethatanyworkmustberevisedmorethanonceandreadtoanumberofpeopleifitisintendedtogivepermanent

anduniversalsatisfaction.

18.ToCaniniusRujus

Youwantmyadviceonwhatprovision tomake for securingnowandafteryourdeaththemoneyyouhaveofferedtoournativetowntopaythecostofanannualfeast.Itisanhonourtobeconsulted,butdifficultto give an immediate opinion.Youmighthandover the capital to thetown,butthereisadangerofitsbeingdissipated.Oryoumightmakeagift of land, but it would be neglected as public property always is.PersonallyIcanthinkofnobetterplanthantheoneIadoptedmyself.Ihadpromisedacapitalsumof500,000sestercesforthemaintenanceoffree-born boys and girls, but instead of paying this over I transferredsomeofmylandedproperty(whichwasworthconsiderablymore)tothemunicipalagent,andthenhaditreconveyedbacktobechargedwithanannual rentpayableof30,000sesterces.By thismeans theprincipal issecuredforthetown,theinterestiscertain,andthepropertywillalwaysfind a tenant to cultivate it because its value greatly exceeds the rentcharged.IamwellawarethatIappeartohavepaidoutmorethanthesum I have given, seeing that the fixed rent charge has reduced themarket value of a fine property, but one ought tomake personal andtemporaryinterestsgiveplacetopublicandpermanentadvantages,andconsiderthesecurityofabenefactionmorethanone’sowngains.

19.ToNeratius(?)Priscus

IamveryworriedaboutFannia’sillness.Shecontracteditwhilenursing

Junia,oneoftheVestalVirgins,adutysheundertookvoluntarilyatfirst

(Juniabeinga relativeofhers)and thenbyorderof thepontiffs. (Forwhen sickness compels theVirgins to leave thehall ofVesta, they arealways committed to the care of some married woman.) This serviceFanniawas faithfullyperformingwhen she fell avictim toherpresentillness.Her fever never leaves her, her cough growsworse, and she ispainfullythinandweak.ThereremainsonlythecourageandthespiritwormyofherhusbandHelvidiusandherfatherThrasea:ineveryotherwayshe is failing,andmyanxietyonherbehalf iscoupledwithgrief,griefthatsogreatawomanwillbelosttothesightofhercountrywhenher likemaynot be seen again: such are her purity and integrity, hernobilityandloyalheart.Twiceshefollowedherhusbandintoexile,andathirdtimewasbanishedherselfonhisaccount.ForwhenSeneciowason trial for havingwritten a life ofHelvidius, and said in his defencethathehaddonesoatFannia’srequest,MettiusCarusthendemandedinathreateningtoneifthiswastrue.Sherepliedthatitwas.HadshelentSenecioherhusband’sdiaries?‘Yes.’Didhermotherknowofthis?‘No.’Not a word in fact did she utter through fear of danger. Moreover,although the Senatewasdriven through fear of the times toorder thedestruction of the books in question, shemanaged to save themwhenherpossessionswereconfiscated,andtookthemwithherintotheexiletheyhadcaused.

Atthesametimeshehassuchfriendlinessandcharm,theraregift,infact,ofbeingabletoinspireaffectionaswellasrespect.Willtherebeanyonenowwhomwecanholdupasamodeltoourwives,fromwhosecourageevenourownsexcantakeexample,andwhomwecanadmireasmuchastheheroinesofhistorywhilesheisstillinourmidst?Tome

itseemsasthoughherwholehouseisshakentoitsveryfoundationsandistotteringtoitsfall,eventhoughshemayleavedescendants;forhowcantheirdeedsandmeritsbesufficienttoassurethatthelastofherlinehasnotperishedinher?

AfurtherandmorepersonalpainandgriefformeismyfeelingthatIamlosinghermotheragain–towhomIcanpaynohighertributethanby calling her the famousmother of a greatwoman. Themotherwasrestored to us in her daughter, but soonwill be taken awaywith her,leavingmethepainofare-openedwoundtobearaswellasthisfreshblow. I honoured and loved themboth -1 cannot saywhich themore,nordid theywishadistinction tobedrawn.Myserviceswereat theircommandalikeinprosperityandadversity;Iwastheircomfortinexileand their champion after their return. I could never make them anadequatereturn,andsoIamallthemoreanxiousforFannia’slifetobespared to giveme time to paymy debt. These aremy troubles at thetimeofwriting toyou;but, ifoneof thegodswill turn them to joy, Ishallmakenocomplaintaboutmypresentfears.

20.ToCorneliusTacitus

Ihavereadyourbook,andmarkedascarefullyasIcouldthepassageswhichIthinkshouldbealteredorremoved,forifitismycustomtotellthetruth,youarealwayswillingtohearit;nooneacceptscriticismsoreadilyasthosewhobestdeservepraise.NowIamawaitingthereturnofmybook fromyou,withyour comments: a fair exchangewhichwebothenjoy.Iamdelightedtothinkthatifposteritytakesanyinterestinus the tale will everywhere be told of the harmony, frankness, and

loyalty of our lifelong relationship. It will seem both rare andremarkablethattwomenofmuchthesameageandposition,andbothenjoyingacertainamountofliteraryreputation(Ican’tsaymuchaboutyou when it refers to me too), should have encouraged each other’sliterarywork.

Iwas still a youngmanwhen youwere alreadywinning fame andglory, and I aspired to follow inyour footsteps andbe ‘far behindbut

still thenearest’1 to you in fact and in repute.Therewere at the timemanyotherdistinguishedmenof talent,butacertain similarity inournaturesmademefeelthatyouwerethepersonIcouldandshouldtrytoimitate. So I am all the happier to know that whenever conversationturns upon literature, our names arementioned together, and thatmynamecomesupwhenpeopletalkaboutyou.Theremaybewriterswhoare rankedhigher thaneitherofus,but ifweareclassed togetherourpositiondoesnotmatter;formethehighestpositionistheonenearesttoyou.Youmustalsosurelyhavenoticedinwillsthatunlesssomeonehasbeenaparticularfriendofoneortheotherofusweareleftlegaciesofthesamekindandvalue.Allthisshowsthatourloveshouldbestillwarmer, seeing that there are so many ties to bind us in our work,character, and reputation, and, above all, in the last wishes of ourfriends.

21.ToCornutusTertuttus

Iobey,dearcolleague,andIamseeingtomyeyetroubleasyoubidme.Itravelledhereinaclosedcarriagewiththelightcompletelyexcluded,sothatImighthavebeenathomeinbed,andnowthatIamhereIam

neitherwritingnorreading–noeasysacrifice,butIhavemadeit–andamworkingonlybyear.Icandarkenmyroomsbydrawingtheblinds,without making them too dark, and the light in the roofed arcade isreducedbyhalfwhenthelowerwindowshavetheirshuttersclosed.Bythismeans Iamgraduallyreaccustomingmyself to fulldaylight. I takebaths,as theydomegood,andwine,whichcandonoharm,butonlyvery sparingly; this has always been my way, and now I am undersupervision.Iwasdelightedtoreceivethepullet,especiallyasitwasagift from you. My eyes may still be inflamed, but they were sharpenoughtoseehowplumpitwas.

22.ToPompeiusFako

Youmayhave felt that Iwas ratherpressing inmy request for you toconfer a military tribunate on a friend of mine, but you will be lesssurprisedwhen you knowwho andwhat he is. Now that I have yourpromiseIcangiveyouhisnameandafulldescription.HeisCorneliusMinicianus, inrankandcharactertheprideofmynativedistrict.Heiswellbornandrich,butcaresforliteratureasapoorprofessionalmight;andheisremarkabletooforhisjusticeonthebench,courageatthebar,andloyaltyinfriendship.Youwill feelthatit isyouwhoarereceivingthe favourwhenyoucometoknowhimmore intimatelyandfindthathe is equal to any official position or distinction; I don’t want to saymoreinpraiseofthemostmodestofmen.

23.ToCalpumiusFabatus,hiswife’sgrandfather

IamdelightedtohearthatyouarefeelingwellenoughtomeetTiroat

Mediolanum,1butImustaskyoutoconserveyourstrengthandnottakeuponyourselfaburdentooheavyforyouryears.InfactIinsistthatyouwait forhimathome, indoorsandwithout leavingyourroom; foras Ilove him like a brother, hemust not demand from one I honour as afatheranattentionwhichhewouldnotexpecthisownfathertoshow.

24.ToRosianusGeminus

UmmidiaQuadratillaisdead,havingalmostattainedtheageofseventy-nineandkeptherpowersunimpaireduptoherlastillness,alongwithasoundconstitutionandsturdyphysiquewhicharerareinawoman.Shedied leaving an excellent will; her grandson inherits two-thirds of theestate,andhergranddaughter theremainingthird. Iscarcelyknowthelatter, but the grandson is a close friend ofmine. He is a remarkableyoungmanwhoinspiresasortoffamilyaffectionamongstpeopleinnowayrelatedtohim. In the firstplace, thoughconspicuous forhisgoodlooks,hespenthisyouthandearlymanhooduntouchedbyscandal;thenhemarriedbeforehewastwenty-fourandwouldhavebeenafatherhadhis prayers been granted. He lived in his grandmother’s house, butmanaged to combinepersonal austeritywithdeference toher sybaritictastes. She kept a troupe of mimic actors whom she treated with anindulgence unsuitable in a lady of her high position, but Quadratusneverwatchedtheirperformanceseitherinthetheatreorathome,nordid she insist on it. Once when she was asking me to supervise hergrandson’seducationshetoldmethatasawoman,withallawoman’sidle hours to fill, she was in the habit of amusing herself playing

draughts orwatchinghermimes, but before shedid either she alwaystold Quadratus to go away and work: which, I thought, showed herrespectforhisyouthasmuchasheraffection.

This incident will surprise you as it did me. The last SacerdotalGames were opened by a performance of mime, and as we left thetheatre togetherQuadratus said tome: ‘Do you realize that todaywasthefirsttimeIhaveseenanyofmygrandmother’sdancers?’Sosaidhergrandson;butmeanwhilepeoplewhowerenothingtoQuadratillawererunningtothetheatre topaytheirrespects toher– though ‘respect’ ishardly the word to use for their fawning attentions -jumping up andclapping to show their admiration, and then copying every gesture oftheirmistresswithsnatchesofsong.Todaythereisonlyatinybequestasagratuityfortheirhiredapplause,whichtheywillreceivefromtheheirwhoneverwatchedthemperform.

Ihavetoldyouthisbecauseyouareusuallygladtohearofanynews,andalsobecauseIliketodwellonmypleasurebywritingaboutit.Itisa joy to witness the family affection shown by the deceased and thehonourdone toanexcellentyoungman,and Iamhappy to think thatthe house which once belonged to Gaius Cassius, the founder of theCassian School of jurisprudence, will have a master no lessdistinguished.FormyfriendQuadratuswilladornitbyhispresenceandrestoreitsformergrandeur,fame,andglorybyrisingtobeasgreatanoratorasCassiuswasajurist.

25.ToCaninius(?)Rufus

What a number of scholars are hidden and lost to fame through their

ownmodestyorretiringhabits!Andyetwhenweareabouttomakeaspeechorgiveareadingwearenervousonlyofthosewhoparadetheirlearning,whereastheotherswhosaynothingprovethemselvessuperiorbypayinganobleprofession the tributeof silence. I can illustrate thisfrommyownexperience.

AfterTerentius Juniorhadheld themilitarypostsopen toaknightandhadalsoservedasprocuratorintheprovinceofGalliaNarbonensis,his conduct being irreproachable throughout, he retired to his estates,preferring a life of peace and leisure to the offices which could havebeen his. I looked upon him as a good father of his household and ahard-working farmer, sowhenhe invitedmetovisithimI intendedtotalkonthesubjectswithwhichIimaginedhewasfamiliar;butwhenIbegan to do so the scholarly trend of his conversation ledme back toliterarytopics.Everythinghesaysisexpressedinwell-turnedphrasesinexcellentLatinorGreek, andhisproficiency inboth languages is suchthathealwaysseemstospeakbesttheonehehappenstobeusing.Hereadsandremembersanimmenseamount;youwouldthinkAthenshishome,not a countryhouse. In short, hehas increasedmynervousnessandmademerespecttheseretiredsomewhatcountrifiedpeopleasmuchasthepersonsIknowtobelearnedscholars.Youshoulddolikewise,forin the fieldof letters,asofbattle, therearemenwhomayberustic inappearance, but are found on closer inspection to be well armed andequippedandfullofspiritandfire.

26.ToValerius(?)Maximus

Thepoorhealthofafriendofminehaslatelyremindedmethatweare

neversovirtuousaswhenweareill.Hasasickmaneverbeentemptedbygreedorlust?Heisneitheraslavetohispassionsnorambitiousforoffice;hecaresnothingforwealthandiscontentwiththelittlehehas,knowingthathemustleaveit.Itisthenthatheremembersthegodsandrealizes that he is mortal: he feels neither envy, admiration, norcontemptforanyman:notevenslanderoustalkcanwinhisattentionorgive him food for thought, and his dreams are all of baths and coolsprings. These are his sole concern, the object of all his prayers;meanwhileheresolvesthatifheisluckyenoughtorecoverhewillleadasoberandeasylifeinfuture,thatis,alifeofhappyinnocence.

So here for our guidance is the rule, put shortly, which thephilosophersseektoexpressinendlesswordsandvolumes:inhealthweshould continue to be the men we vowed to become when sicknesspromptedourwords.

27.ToLiciniusSura

Our leisure gives me the chance to learn and you to teach me; so Ishouldverymuchliketoknowwhetheryouthinkthatghostsexist,andhave a form of their own and some sort of supernatural power, orwhether they lack substance and reality and take shapeonly fromourfears. I personally am encouraged to believe in their existence largely

fromwhat I have heard of the experience ofCurtiusRufus.1While hewasstillobscureandunknownhewasattachedtothesuiteofthenewgovernorofAfrica.Oneafternoonhewaswalkingupanddown in thecolonnade of his house when there appeared to him the figure of awoman,ofsuperhumansizeandbeauty.Toallayhisfearsshetoldhim

that shewas the spirit ofAfrica, come to foretell his future: hewouldreturntoRomeandholdoffice,andthenreturnwithsupremeauthorityto the same province, where he would die. Everything came true.Moreover,thestorygoesontosaythatashelefttheboatonhisarrivalatCarthagethesamefiguremethimontheshore. It isat leastcertainthatwhenhefellillheinterpretedhisfuturebythepastandmisfortunebyhisprevioussuccess,andgaveupallhopeofrecoveryalthoughnoneofhispeopledespairedofhislife.

Nowconsiderwhetherthefollowingstory,whichIwilltelljustasitwastoldtome,isnotquiteasremarkableandevenmoreterrifying.InAthenstherewasalargeandspaciousmansionwiththebadreputationofbeingdangeroustoitsoccupants.Atdeadofnighttheclankingofironand,ifyoulistenedcarefully,therattleofchainscouldbeheard,somewayoffatfirst,andthencloseathand.Thenthereappearedthespectreofanoldman,emaciatedandfilthy,withalongflowingbeardandhaironend,wearingfettersonhislegsandshakingthechainsonhiswrists.Thewretchedoccupantswouldspendfearfulnightsawakeinterror;lackofsleepledtoillnessandthendeathastheirdreadincreased,forevenduringtheday,whentheapparitionhadvanished,thememoryofitwasintheirmind’seye,sothattheirterrorremainedafterthecauseofithadgone.Thehousewasthereforedeserted,condemnedtostandemptyandwhollyabandonedtothespectre;butitwasadvertisedasbeingtoletorfor sale in case someone was found who knew nothing of its evilreputation.

The philosopher Athenodorus came to Athens and read the notice.Hissuspicionswerearousedwhenheheardthelowprice,andthewhole

storycameoutoninquiry;buthewasnonetheless,infactallthemore,eagertorentthehouse.Whendarknessfellhegaveordersthatacouchwastobemadeupforhiminthefrontpartofthehouse,andaskedforhis notebooks, pen and a lamp. He sent all his servants to the innerrooms,andconcentratedhisthoughts,eyesandhandonhiswriting,sothathismindwouldbeoccupiedandnotconjureupthephantomhehadheardaboutnorotherimaginaryfears.Atfirsttherewasnothingbutthegeneralsilenceofnight;thencametheclankingofironanddraggingofchains.Hedidnotlookupnorstopwriting,butsteeledhismindtoshutoutthesounds.Thenthenoisegrewlouder,camenearer,washeardinthe doorway, and then inside the room. He looked round, saw andrecognized the ghost described to him. It stood and beckoned, as ifsummoninghim.Athenodorusinhisturnsignedtoittowaitalittle,andagainbentoverhisnotesandpen,whileitstoodrattlingitschainsoverhis head ashewrote.He looked roundagain and saw it beckoning asbefore,sowithoutfurtherdelayhepickeduphislampandfollowed.Itmovedslowly,as ifweigheddownwithchains,andwhenit turnedoffintothecourtyardofthehouseitsuddenlyvanished,leavinghimalone.He then picked some plants and leaves and marked the spot. Thefollowingdayheapproachedthemagistrates,andadvisedthemtogiveordersfortheplacetobedugup.Theretheyfoundbones,twistedroundwithchains,whichwereleftbareandcorrodedbythefetterswhentimeand the action of the soil had rotted away the body. The boneswerecollectedandgivenapublicburial,andaftertheshadeshadbeendulylaidtorestthehousesawthemnomore.

ForthesedetailsIrelyontheevidenceofothers,buthereisastoryIcanvouch formyself.Oneofmy freedmen, amanof someeducation,

wassleepinginthesamebedashisyoungerbrotherwhenhedreamedthathesawsomeonesittingonthebedandputtingscissorstohishair,evencuttingsomeoff thetopofhishead.Whendaydawnedhefoundthisplaceshornandthehairlyingonthefloor.Ashorttimeelapsedandthenanothersimilaroccurrenceconfirmedtheearlierone.Aslaveboywassleepingwithseveralothersintheyoungslaves’quarters.Hisstorywas that twomen clad inwhite came in through thewindow, cut hishair as he lay in bed, and departed theway they had come. Daylightrevealed thathisheadhadalsobeen shornand thehairwas scatteredabout.Nothingremarkablefollowed,exceptperhapsthefactthatIwasnotbroughttotrial,asIshouldhavebeenifDomitian(underwhomallthishappened)hadlivedlonger.ForamongstthepapersinhisdeskwasfoundinformationlaidagainstmebyCarus;fromwhich,inviewofthecustomforaccusedpersonstolettheirhairgrowlong,onemayinterpretthecuttingofmyslaves’hairasasignthat thedanger threateningmewasaverted.

Sopleaseapplyyourlearnedmindtothisquestion;itdeservesyourlong and careful consideration, nor can I be called undeserving as arecipientofyourinformedopinion.Youmayarguebothsidesofthecaseasyoualwaysdo,butlayyouremphasisononesideortheotheranddonot leaveme in suspense and uncertainty; my reason for asking youropinionwastoputanendtomydoubts.

28.ToSepticiusClarus

You say that peoplehave criticizedme in yourhearing for taking anyopportunityforexaggeratedpraiseofmyfriends.Iacceptthecharge,in

fact I welcome it, for there can be no more honourable fault thanwarmthofheart.ButwhoarethesepeoplewhoknowmyfriendsbetterthanIdomyself?And,eveniftheydo,whygrudgemehappinessinmydelusion?My friendsmaynotbeall Iproclaimthem,but itmakesmehappy to think that theyare. Let thesepeople transfer theirmisplacedattentions to someone else; theywill find all toomanywho think it asign of good judgement to disparage their friends, but theywill neverpersuademetobelievethatIloveminetoomuch.

29.ToMontanus

Youwillthinkitajoke–oranoutrage,butajokeafterall–ifyoureadthis,whichhastobeseentobebelieved.OntheroadtoTibur,lessthanamile fromRome,as Inoticed theotherday, there isamonument to

Pallas1 with the following inscription: ‘To him the Senate decreed inreturnforhisloyalservicestohispatrons,theinsigniaofapraetor,andthe sum of fifteen million sesterces, but he thought fit to accept thedistinctiononly.’

Personally I have never thought much of these honours whosedistributiondependsonchanceratherthanonareasoneddecision,butthisinscriptionmorethananythingmakesmerealizewhataridiculousfarceitiswhentheycanbethrownawayonsuchdirtandfilth,andthatrascal could presume to accept and refuse them, all with a show ofsetting posterity an example of moderation. But it isn’t worth myindignation;better to laugh,or suchpeoplewill think theyhavereallyachievedsomethingwhentheirluckychancehasbroughtthemnomorethanridicule.

30.ToJuliusGenitor

Iamdeeplydistressedtohearthatyouhavelostapupilofsuchpromise,and, knowing your readiness with kindly attentions and generousaffectionforanyoneofwhomyouthinkhighly,Icannotbutfeelthathisillnessanddeathhaveinterferedwithyourownwork.

As forme, Iampursuedbycitybusinessevenhere, for there isnolackofpeoplewantingmetoactasjudgeorarbitrator,andthentherearethepeasantswhoclaimtheirrightaftermylongabsencetovexmyears with their complaints. The necessity of letting my farms is alsobecomingurgentandgivingagooddealoftrouble,forsuitabletenantscan rarely be found. Consequently I can only beg amoment here andthere formy ownwork, though I am working, for Iwrite a little andread; though comparisonwithmy reading onlymakesme realize howbadly I write, however much you encourage me by comparing my

speechesinvindicationofHelvidius1withDemosthenes’speechagainstMeidias. I admit that I had this by me while I was writing my ownspeech, not with any idea of rivalling it – it would be madness topresume so far –but treating it as amodel to followas closely as thediversityofsubjectpermitted,andthedifferencebetweenmyownsmalltalentandDemosthenes’geniusallowed.

31.ToCornutusTertullus

ClaudiusPollioisanxiousforyourfriendship,whichhedeservesforthatveryreason,andalsobecausehehasarealaffection foryouhimself–for few people expect this from others if they do not first feel it

themselves. He is besides aman of honour and integrity, retiring andmodest almost to excess, if that were possible. We did our militaryservicetogether,whenIcametoknowhimmoreintimatelythanjustasafellowsoldier.Hewasincommandofacavalrydivision,whileIhadbeenorderedbytheconsularlegatetoaudittheaccountsofthecavalryandinfantrydivisions;inseveralcasesIfoundagreatdealofshockingrapacityanddeliberateinaccuracy,bycontrastwithhisaccountswhichhad been kept with scrupulous care and complete honesty. On hissubsequentpromotiontoimportantadministrativepostshecouldneverbetemptedoutofhisdeep-rooteddislikeofpersonalgain;successneverwent to his head, and, in all the various posts he held, he preservedintacthis reputation forhumanitywhileapplying the samestrengthofpurposetoallhisduties,ashenowshowsinhispresentretirement.Hedid indeed once (to his greater glory) return temporarily to active lifewhenhewaschosenbyourfriendCorelliustoassisthiminthepurchaseand distribution of land made possible through the generosity of theEmperor Nerva; and there could be no higher honour than to be thespecialchoiceofsogreatamanfromsuchawidefieldforselection.

YoucanalsobeassuredofPollio’srespectandloyaltyforhisfriendsbythedyingwishesofmanypeople,amongstthemAnniusBassuswhosemerit is well known, and whose memory Pollio preserves andperpetuates in the grateful tribute of a published biography; for hecultivates literature as he does every honest pursuit. Such splendidconduct deserves praise for its very rarity, seeing that themajority ofpeopleremembertheirdeadfriendsonlytocomplainaboutthem.This,then, is the man who so much desires your friendship, so that youshould,ifyouwilltrustme,welcomehimwithopenarmsandsummon

him to your side with affection so as to show your gratitude. For,accordingtothecodeoffriendship,theonewhotakestheinitiativeputstheotherinhisdebtandowesnomoreuntilheisrepaid.

32.ToCalpurniusFabatus,hiswife’sgrandfather

IamgladyouenjoyedmyfriendTiro’svisit,andparticularlypleasedtohear that you took the opportunity of his presence with a governor’sauthority to liberateanumberofyour slaves. I amalwaysanxious forthe advancement of our native place, and above all through theincreasingnumbersofhercitizens,forthatisatributewhichsetsatownonthesurestoffoundations.

One other thing pleases me I confess, not that I am courtingpopularity;yougoontosaythatyouandIwerebothwarmlypraisedinavoteofthanks,and,asXenophonsays,‘praiseisthesweetestthingto

hear’,1especiallyifitisfelttobedeserved.

33.ToCorneliusTacitus

I believe that your histories will be immortal: a prophecy which willsurely prove correct. That is why (I frankly admit) I am anxious toappear in them.We are usually careful to see that none but the bestartistsshallportrayourfeatures,sowhyshouldwenotwantourdeedstobeblessedbyawriter likeyourselftocelebratethem?Sohereisanaccount of an incident which can hardly have escaped your watchfuleye,sinceitappearedintheofficialrecords;butIamsendingitsothatyoumaybeassuredofmypleasureifthisactionofmine,whichgained

interest from the risks attending it, shall be distinguished by the

testimonyofyourgenius.

The Senate had instructed me to act with Herennius Senedo as

counsel for the province of Baetica against Baebius Massa,1 and afterMassa’sconvictionhadpassedtheresolutionthathispropertyshouldbekeptinofficialcustody.Seneciothendiscoveredthattheconsulswouldbewilling tohearMassa’sclaims for restitution, so soughtmeoutandproposed that we should continue to act in unity as we had done incarrying out the prosecution entrusted to us: we should approach theconsuls andask themnot toallow thedispersalof thepropertywhichtheywereresponsibleforholdingincustody.Ipointedoutthatwehadacted as counsel by appointment of the Senate, and asked him toconsiderwhetherperhapswehadcometotheendofourrolenowthatthe case was over. ‘You can set what limit you like to your ownresponsibilities,’hesaid, ‘foryouhavenoconnexionwith theprovinceexcepttherecentoneoftheservicesyouhaverendered,butIwasbornin Baetica and served as quaestor there.’ ‘If yourmind ismade up,’ Isaid,‘Iwillactwithyou,sothatifanyill-willresults,youwillnothavetofaceitalone.’

Wewenttotheconsuls.SeneciosaidwhatwasnecessaryandIaddedafewwords.WehadscarcelyfinishedspeakingwhenMassacomplainedthat Senecio had displayed the animosity of a personal enemy ratherthanaprofessionalcounsel’shonour,anddemandedleavetoprosecutehim for treason. Amidst the general consternation I began to speak:‘Most noble consuls, I am afraid that by not including me in hisaccusation Massa’s very silence has charged me with collusion with

himself.’ Thesewordswere acclaimed at once and subsequentlymuchtalked about; indeed, the deified Emperor Nerva (who never failed tonotice anythingdone for thegoodof theState evenbeforehebecameEmperor)sentmeamostimpressiveletterinwhichhecongratulatednotonlymebutourgenerationforbeingblessedwithanexamplesomuch(hesaid)inthebesttradition.

Whatever themerit of this incident, you canmake it better knownandevenfamous,butIamnotaskingyoutogobeyondwhatisduetothefacts.Historyshouldalwaysconfine itself tothetruth,whichin itsturnisenoughforhonestdeeds.

BOOKEIGHT

1.ToSepticiusClams

Ihadaneasyjourney,apartfromthefactthatsomeofmypeopleweretakenillintheintenseheat.Indeed,myreaderEncolpius(theonewhoisourjoyforworkorplay)foundthedustsoirritatingtohisthroatthathespatblood,anditwillbeasadblowtohimandagreatlosstomeifthismakeshimunfitforhisservicestoliteraturewhentheyarehismainrecommendation.Whoelsewill readandappreciatemyeffortsorholdmy attention as he does? But the gods promise happier things. Thehaemorrhagehas stoppedand thepain is less severe;andhe isagoodpatient,wearetakingeverycareofhim,andthedoctorsareattentive.Inaddition,thehealthyclimatehereandthecompleterestandquietcanprovideasmuchforacureasforaholiday.

2.ToCalvisiusRufus

Otherpeoplevisittheirestatestocomeawayricherthanbefore,butIgoonly to return the poorer. I had soldmy grape harvest to the dealers,whowereeagertobuy,whenthepricequotedatthetimewastemptingandprospectsseemedgood.Theirhopeswerefrustrated.Itwouldhavebeensimpletogivethemallthesamerebate,buthardlyfair,andIhold

the view that one of the most important things in life is to practisejusticeinprivateasinpubliclife,insmallmattersasingreat,andapplyittoone’sownaffairsnolessthantootherpeople’s.Forifwesaywiththe Stoics that ‘all offences are equal’ the same applies to merits.AccordinglyIreturnedtoeveryoneaneighthofthesumhehadspentso

that‘noneshoulddepartwithoutagiftofmine’.1ThenImadeaspecialprovisionforthosewhohadinvestedverylargesumsintheirpurchase,sincetheyhadbeenofgreaterservicetomeandtheirswasthegreaterloss. I thereforeallowedeveryonewhosepurchaseshadcosthimmorethan 10,000 sesterces a tenth of anything he had spent above the10,000, in addition to the original eighthwhichwas a sort of generalgrant.

Iamafraid Ihaveput itbadly; letme try tomakemycalculationsclearer. Suppose someone had offered the sum of 15,000 sesterces; hewouldreceiveaneighthof15,000,plusatenthof5,000.Moreover, inview of the fact that some people had paid down large instalments ofwhat they owed, while others had paid little or nothing, I thought itmost unfair to treat them all with the same generosity in granting arebate when they had not been equally conscientious in dischargingtheir debts. Once more, then, I allowed another tenth of the sumreceived to those who had paid. This seemed a suitable way both ofexpressingmygratitudetoeachindividualaccordingtohispastmerits,andofencouragingthemallnotonlytobuyfrommeinthefuturebutalsotopaytheirdebts.

Mysystem–ormygoodnature–hascostmealot,butithasbeenworth,it.Thewholedistrictispraisingthenoveltyofmyrebateandthe

wayinwhichitwascarriedout,andthepeopleIclassifiedandgradedinsteadofmeasuringallwiththesamerod,sotospeak,havedepartedfeelingobliged tome inproportion to theirhonestworthand satisfiedthat Iamnotapersonwho ‘holds inequalhonourthewickedandthe

good’.1

3.ToJuliusSparsus

You say that the book I sent you the other day has given you morepleasurethananyofmyotherworks.Alearnedfriendofmineisofthesame opinion, and this encourages me to think that neither of you ismistaken;foritisunlikelythatyouwouldbothbewrong,andIliketoflattermyself. In fact I alwayswantmy latestwork to be thoughtmymasterpiece; consequently I have turned against the one you have infavourofaspeechwhichIhavejustpublished,andwhichyoushallseeas soon as I can find someone reliable to bring it.Now I have rousedyourexpectations,but I fear theymaybedisappointedwhenyouhavethe speech in your hands. Meanwhile wait for its arrival with theintentionoflikingitandyoumayfindyoudosoafterall.

4.ToCaniniusRufus

ItisanexcellentideaofyourstowriteabouttheDacianwar.Thereisnosubjectwhichofferssuchscopeandsuchawealthoforiginalmaterial,no subject so poetic and almost legendary although its facts are true.Youwilldescribenewriverssetflowingovertheland,newbridgesbuiltacross rivers,andcampsclinging to sheerprecipices;youwill tellofa

kingdrivenfromhiscapitalandfinallytodeath,butcourageoustothe

end; you will record a double triumph, one the first over a nationhithertounconquered,theotherafinalvictory.

There is only one difficulty, but a serious one. To find a style ofexpression worthy of the subject is an immense undertaking, difficultevenforageniuslikeyours,thoughthisiscapableofattainingsupremeheights and surpasses itself in each magnificent work you haveproduced.Anotherproblemarisesoutofthebarbaricnames,especiallythatofthekinghimselfwheretheuncouthsoundswillnotfitintoGreekverse;buteverydifficultycanbereducedbyskillandapplicationevenifitcannotbeentirelyresolved.Besides,ifHomerispermittedtocontract,lengthen,andmodifytheflexiblesyllablesoftheGreeklanguagetosuittheevenflowofhisverse,whyshouldyoubedeniedasimilarlicence,especiallywhenitisanecessityandnoaffectation?Socallthegodstoyour aid, as a poet may, without forgetting that divine hero whoseexploits, achievementsandwisdomyouaregoing tocelebrate; slackenyoursheets,spreadsail,andnow,ifever,letthefulltideofyourgeniuscarryyoualong.(Whyshouldn’tIbepoeticalwithapoet?)

Now Ihave a stipulation tomake; sendme each section in turn asyoufinishit,orbetterstillsenditunfinishedinitsroughdraughtasitisfirst put together. You will object that a collection of incompletefragments cannot give the same pleasure as the finished whole. Butknowing this I shall judge themonlyasabeginning, examine themaspartsofawhole,andkeeptheminmydesktoawaityourfinalrevision.Giveme this further pledge of your affection – letme into the secretsyouwouldprefernoonetoknow.Tosumup,Imayperhapsbebetter

able to approve and admire your work if you are slow and cautiousaboutsendingit,butIshallloveandvalueyourselfthemoreifyoucansenditwithoutdelaysandmisgivings.

5.ToRosianusGeminus

OurfriendMacrinus1hashadaterribleblow;hehas losthiswife,onewhowouldhave been exemplary even in former times, after theyhadlived together for thirty-nine years without a quarrel ormisunderstanding. She always treated her husband with the greatestrespect,while deserving the highest regard herself, and she seemed tohaveassembledinherselfthevirtuesofeverystageoflifeinthehighestdegree.Macrinushas indeed the great consolationof havingpossessedsuchatreasuresolong,thoughitisthiswhichmakeshislosssohardtobear;forourenjoymentofpleasureincreasesthepainofdeprivation.SoIshallcontinuetobeanxiousabouthim,forIlovehimdearly,untilhecan permit himself some distraction and allow his wound to heal;nothingcandothisbutacceptanceoftheinevitable,lapseoftime,andsurfeitofgrief.

6.ToMontanus

You shouldhaveheard frommy last letter2 that I had recently seen amonumenttoPallaswiththisinscription:’TohimtheSenatedecreedinreturnforhisloyalservicestohispatrons,theinsigniaofapraetorandthe sum of fifteen million sesterces, but he thought fit to accept thedistinction only.’ I took the trouble afterwards to look up the actual

decreeof theSenate,and found it soverboseand fulsome in tone that

theinsolenceofthisinscriptionseemedmodestandpositivelyhumblebycomparison. All our national heroes put together – and I don’t meanthose of the past, with their titles of Africanus, Achaicus, andNumantinus,buttheMarii,Sullas,andPompeysofrecenttimes,tonamenomore –would still fall short of Pallas’s fame.Am I to suppose thisdecreeexpressesthewitorthemiseryofitsauthors?Witisunbecomingto the Senate; and noman’smisery need bring him to this extremity.Thenwasitself-interestordesireforadvancement?Butwhoissocrazyas to desire advancement won through his own and his country’sdishonour,inaStatewherethechiefprivilegeofitshighestofficeisthatofbeingthefirsttopaycomplimentstoPallasintheSenate?

I say nothing of this offer of the praetorian insignia to a slave, forthey were slaves themselves who made the offer, nothing of theresolutionthatheshouldnotonlybebeggedbutevencompelledtowearagoldring(itwouldlowertheprestigeoftheSenateforapraetoriantoweartheslave’sironone):thesearetrivialdetailswhichmaywellbesetaside.Thisiswhatmuststandonrecord;onbehalfofPallastheSenate(and the House has not been subsequently purged of its shame) – onbehalfofPallastheSenatethankedtheEmperorforhisownrecognitionof the man in bestowing high honour, and for giving them theopportunity of testifying their appreciation. For what could be moresplendid for the Senate than to show suitable gratitude to Pallas? Theresolutioncontinues:’… thatPallas, towhomall to theutmostof theirabilityacknowledgetheirobligation,shouldreapthejustrewardofhisoutstanding loyalty anddevotion toduty.’ (Onemight supposehehadextendedtheboundariesof theEmpireorbroughthomethearmieshe

hadcommanded.)Thenfollows:‘SincetheSenateandtheRomanpeoplecould have no more gratifying occasion for liberality than theopportunity to add to the means of this self-denying and faithfulcustodian of the imperial finances….’ This then was the will of theSenate, the chiefpleasureof thepeople, thehighlygratifyingoccasionforliberality–toaddtoPallas’sfortunebysquanderingpublicfunds.

Whatnext?TheSenatewishedtovotehimagrantoffifteenmillionsestercesfromtheTreasury,and,knowinghowfarremovedhewasfromall desires of this kind, the more urgently besought the Father of theStatetocompelhimtocomplywiththeirwishes.InfacttheonlythinglackingwasforPallastobeofficiallyapproachedandbeggedtocomply,for the Emperor himself to champion the cause and plead with thatinsolent self-denial in order that the fifteen million should not berejected.ButPallasdidrejectit;agreatfortunehadbeenofferedhiminthenameof theState,andthiswashisonlymeansof showinggreatercontemptthanifhehadacceptedit.YeteventhistheSenatemetwithfurther compliments, this time in a reproachful tone: ‘But inasmuchasthe noble Emperor and Father of the State at Pallas’s request hasexpressedhiswishthattheclausereferringtothegrantoffifteenmillionsestercesfromtheTreasuryshouldberescinded,theSenatedeclaresthatthough it had freely and justly taken steps to grant this sum to Pallasamongsttheotherdistinctionsofferedhimonaccountofhisloyaltyanddevotiontoduty,yetsinceitholdsthatinnothingisitlawfultoopposetheEmperor,inthismatteralsoitmustbowtohiswishes.’

PicturePallasinterposinghisveto,asitwere,ontheSenate’sdecree,setting limits to his own honours, and refusing fifteen million as

excessivewhileaccepting thepraetorian insigniaas if theymeant less!Picture the Emperor before the assembled Senate carrying out hisfreedman’srequestorrathercommand–forthisiswhatsucharequestmadebeforetheSenateamountsto.PicturetheSenategoingsofarastodeclarethatithadfreelyandjustlytakenstepstograntPallasthissumamongst his other honouis, and that it would have carried out itsintention but for the need of bowing to the Emperor’s wishes whichcould not on any point be lawfully opposed. Thus, to permit Pallas todecline this fifteen million from the Treasury, it took the combinedforcesofhisowndiscretionandtheSenate’sobedience,whichitwouldnever have shown on this occasion had it believed that disobediencewerelawfulonanypoint.

Is this all, do you think? Wait and hear something better still.‘InasmuchasitisexpedientthattheEmperor’sgenerouspromptitudetopraise and reward merit should everywhere be published andparticularly inplaceswhere thoseentrustedwith theadministrationofhis affairs may be encouraged to follow the examples set them, andwhere theexampleofPallas’sproved loyaltyand integritymay inspireothers tohonourable rivalry, it is resolved that the statementmadebythenobleEmperorbefore thisdistinguishedHouseon23January last,together with the resolutions passed by the Senate concerning thismatter, shall be engraved on a bronze tablet and that tablet shall beaffixed to themailedstatueof thedeifiedJuliusCaesar.’So itwasnotenoughforthesedisgracefulproceedingstobewitnessedbythewallsofthe Senate house; the most frequented spot in Rome was chosen todisplay them, where they could be read by everyone, today and everafter.Aresolutionwaspassedthatallthehonoursofthisinsolentslave

shouldbeinscribedonbronze,boththosehehadrefusedandthosehehadacceptedasfarasthosewhoconferredthemhadthepowertodoso.The praetorian insignia granted to Pallaswere engraved and cut on apublicmonument forall timeas if theywereanancientcovenantorasacred law. To such lengths did the Emperor, the Senate, and Pallashimselfpushtheir–Ican’tthinkofawordtoexpresstheirconduct–asif they intended to set up a record in the sight of all, Pallas of hisinsolence, the Emperor of his complaisance, the Senate of itsdegradation! Nor were they ashamed to find a reason to justify theirdisgrace, and a splendid reason too, ‘so that by the reward given toPallasothersmightbeinspiredtorivalhim’!Honourswerethentobesocheap,thehonourswhichPallasdidnotdisdain;andyetpeopleofgoodfamilycouldbefoundwhowerefiredbyambitionfordistinctionswhichtheysawgrantedtofreedmenandpromisedtoslaves.

Howglad I am thatmy lotdidnot fall in thosedays– forwhich IblushasifIhadlivedinthem.Iamsureyouwillfeelthesame,knowingyourlivelysympathyandhonestmind;sothat,thoughinsomepassagesImayhaveletmyindignationcarrymebeyondtheboundsofa letter,youwill readilybelieve that Ihavesuppressedmyfeelings rather thanexaggeratedthem.

7.ToCorneliusTacitus

It was not as onemaster to another, nor, as you say, as one pupil toanother,butasamastertohispupil(foryouaremaster,Iampupil,andso you callme back to schoolwhile I am still keeping the Saturnalia)thatyousentmeyourbook.CouldIwritealongerhyperbatonthanthat,

and thereby prove that so far from being your master I do not evendeserve tobecalledyourpupil?But Iwillplay thepartofmasterandexercise the authority you have given me over your book; the morefreelyasforthemomentIhavenothingofmyowntosendyouonwhichyoucantakeyourrevenge.

8.ToVoconiusRomanus

HaveyoueverseenthesourceoftheClitumnus?1Ifnot(andIfancynot,oryouwouldhavetoldme)dovisititasIdidtheotherday.IamonlysorryIputoffseeingitsolong.

There is a fair-sized hill which is densely wooded with ancientcypresses; at the foot of this the spring rises and gushes out throughseveralchannelsofdifferentsize,andwhen itseddieshavesubsided itbroadensoutintoapoolasclearasglass.Youcancountthecoinswhichhavebeen thrown inand thepebbles shiningat thebottom.Then it iscarried on, not by any downward slope of the land but by its ownvolumeandweightofwater:oneminuteitisstillaspringandthenextabroadrivernavigableforboatstowhichitcangiveapassageevenwhentwo aremoving in opposite directions andmust pass each other. Thecurrent is so strong that although the ground remains level, a boattravellingdownstreamishurriedalongwithoutneedingitsoars,whileitis very difficult to make any headway upstream with oars and polescombined.Anyoneboatingforpleasurecanenjoyhardworkalternatingwitheasymovementsimplybyachangeofcourse.

The banks are clothed with ash trees and poplars, whose greenreflections can be counted in the clear stream as if theywere planted

there.Thewaterisascoldandassparklingassnow.Closebyisaholytemple of great antiquity in which is a standing image of the godClitumnus himself clad in a magistrate’s bordered robe; the writtenoracles lying there prove the presence and prophetic powers of hisdivinity.Allroundareanumberofsmallshrines,eachcontainingitsgodand having its own name and cult, and some of them also their ownsprings, for aswell as the parent stream there are smaller oneswhichhave separate sources but afterwards join the river. The bridgewhichspansitmarksthesacredwaterofffromtheordinarystream:abovethebridge boats only are allowed, while below bathing is also permitted.

The people of Hispellum,1 to whom the deified Emperor Augustuspresented the site,maintainabathingplaceat the town’sexpenseandalsoprovideaninn;andthereareseveralhousespicturesquelysituatedalong the river bank. Everything in factwill delight you, and you canalsofindsomethingtoread:youcanstudythenumerousinscriptionsinhonour of the spring and the godwhichmany hands havewritten oneverypillarandwall.Mostofthemyouwilladmire,butsomewillmakeyoulaugh–thoughIknowyouarereallytoocharitabletolaughatanyofthem.

9.ToCorneliusUrsus

It isa long time since Ihavehadabookorapen inmyhand,a longtimesinceIhaveknownwhatpeaceandquietareorevenknownthatlovely, lazy state of doing and being nothing; so completely has thepressure ofmy friends’ business keptme from either leaving Rome orworkingatmybooks.Fornosuchwork is importantenough to justify

neglectoftheclaimsoffriendship,adutywhichthesesamebookstellustoobservewithscrupulouscare.

10.ToCalpurniusFabatus,hiswife’sgrandfather

Iknowhowanxiousyouareforustogiveyouagreat-grandchild,soyouwill be all themore sorry to hear that your granddaughter has had amiscarriage.Beingyoungandinexperiencedshedidnotrealizeshewaspregnant,failedtotakeproperprecautions,anddidseveralthingswhichwerebetter leftundone.Shehashada severe lesson,andpaid forhermistake by seriously endangering her life; so that although you mustinevitably feel it hard for your old age to be robbed of a descendantalready on the way, you should thank the gods for sparing yourgranddaughter’s life even though they denied you the child for thepresent. Theywill surely grant us children later on, andwemay takehope from this evidence of her fertility though the proof has beenunfortunate.

I am giving you the same advice and encouragement as I use onmyself, for your desire for great-grandchildren cannot be keener thanmineforchildren.Theirdescentfrombothofusshouldmaketheirroadtoofficeeasy; Ican leavethemawell-knownnameandanestablishedancestry,ifonlytheymaybebornandturnourpresentgrieftojoy.

11.ToCalpurniaHispulla

Rememberinghowyouloveyourbrother’sdaughtermoretenderlythanamother,IfeelthatIoughttobeginwiththesecondhalfofmynews,so

thathappinessmaycomefirstandleavenoroomforanxiety.AndyetI

amafraidyourreliefwillturntofearagain,andyourjoyathearingthatyour niece is out of danger will be tempered by your alarm at hernarrowescape.Bynowhergoodspiritsarereturningasshefeelsherselfrestored to herself and to me, and she is beginning to measure thedanger she has been through by her progress towards recovery. Thedangerwasindeedgrave–IhopeImaysafelysaysonow–throughnofaultofherown,butperhapsofheryouth.Hencehermiscarriage,asadproof of unsuspected pregnancy. So though you are still without agrandchild of your brother’s to comfort you for his loss, you mustremember that this consolation is postponed, not denied us.We buildour hopes on her, and she has been spared. Meanwhile, explain thisaccident to your father, as it is the sort women can more easilyunderstand.

12.ToCorneliusMinicianus

TodayistheonedayImustbefree:TitiniusCapitoisgivingareading,whichit ismyduty–orperhapsmyurgentdesire–toattend.Heisasplendidpersonalitywhoshouldbenumberedamongtheshininglightsof our generation; a patron of literature and admirer of literary men,whomhesupportsandhelpsintheircareers.Tomanywhoareauthorsheisahavenofrefugeandprotection,whileheisanexampletoall;itisheinfactwhohasrestoredandreformedliteratureitselfwhenitwasonthedecline.He lendshishouse forpublic readings,and iswonderfullygenerousaboutattendingthosewhichareheldelsewhere;atanyratehehasnevermissedoneofmine,providedthathewasinRomeatthetime.

It would then be all the more disgraceful in me to fail to show thegratitudeIhaveeverygoodreasontofeel.IfIwereengagedinalawsuitI should feel bound to themanwho stood bail forme; so nowwhenliteratureisabsorbingallmythoughts,shallIfeellessboundtotheonewhoseunfailingattentivenesstomegiveshimaspecial–ifImayn’tsayasole–claimonme?ButevenifIowedCapitonoreturn,noexchangeof services, I should still be persuaded by the greatness of his noblegenius which can combine tenderness with austerity, or else by thedignityofhistheme.Heiswritingonthedeathsoffamousmen,someofwhomwereverydeartome;soIfeelthatIamperformingapiousdutyin being present at something like their funeral orationswhen I couldnotattendtheirfunerals:atributenolesssincereforbeingthusdelayed.

13.ToGenialis

I am glad to hear that you have been readingmy published speecheswithyourfather.Itwillhelpyourownprogressifyoulearnfromamanofhisaccomplishmentswhattoadmireandwhattocriticize,andatthesame time are taught the habit of speaking the truth. You have yourmodel before you, in whose footsteps you should tread, and arefortunate indeed to be blessedwith a living examplewho is both thebestpossibleandyourcloserelative:inshort,tohaveforimitationtheverymanwhomNatureintendedyoutoresemblemost.

14.ToTitiusAristo

Asyouaresuchanauthorityoncivilandconstitutional law, including

senatorial procedure, I amparticularly anxious tohearwhetherornot

youthinkImadeamistakeatarecentmeetingof theSenate. It is toolatetobeputrightaboutpastevents,butIshouldliketoknowwhattodo in future shouldany similar situationarise.Youwillwonderwhy IamaskingaquestionIoughttobeabletoanswermyself.Thefactiswehaveforgottenourknowledgeofsenatorialprocedure,asofotherhonestpractices, in the servitude of former times; very few people have thepatience and will-power to learn what is never likely to be of anypractical use, and it is besides difficult to remember what you havelearnedunlessyouputitintopractice.So,nowthatLibertyisrestored,shefindsusawkwardandinexperienced;carriedawaybyhercharmswearecompelledtoactincertainwaysbeforeweunderstandthem.

In ancient times itwas the recognized custom for us to learn fromour elders by watching their behaviour as well as listening to theiradvice, thus acquiring the principles on which to act subsequentlyourselvesandtohandon inourturntoour juniors.Henceyoungmenbegantheirearlytrainingwithmilitaryservice,sothattheymightgrowaccustomedtocommandbyobeying,andlearnhowtoleadbyfollowingothers; hence as candidates for office they stood at the door of theSenatehouseandwatchedthecourseofStatecouncilsbeforetakingpartin them. Everyone had a teacher in his own father, or, if he wasfatherless,insomeoldermanofdistinctionwhotookhisfather’splace.Thus men learned by example (the surest method of instruction) thepowersoftheproposer,therightsofexpressinganopinion,theauthorityofoffice,andtheprivilegesofordinarymembers;theylearnedwhentogivewayandwhentostandfirm,howlongtospeakandwhentokeepsilence, how to distinguish between conflicting proposals and how to

introduceanamendment,inshortthewholeofsenatorialprocedure.Forour own generation it was different. Though our early manhood wasspent in camp, it was at a timewhenmerit was under suspicion andapathy an asset, when officers lacked influence and soldiers respect,whentherewasneitherauthoritynorobedience,andthewholesystemwasslack,disorganizedandchaotic,betterforgottenthanremembered.We too were spectators in the Senate, but in a Senate which wasapprehensive and dumb since it was dangerous to voice a genuineopinionandpitiable toexpressa forcedone.Whatcouldbe learnedatthat time,whatprofitcouldtherebe in learning,whentheSenatewassummoned to idleaway its timeor toperpetuate somevilecrime,andwaskeptsitting fora jokeor itsownhumiliation;when itcouldneverpassaseriousresolution,thoughoftenonewithtragicconsequences?Onbecomingsenatorswetookpartintheseevilsandcontinuedtowitnessandendurethemformanyyears,untilourspiritswereblunted,brokenanddestroyedwith lingeringeffect; so that it isonlya short time (thehappierthetimetheshorteritseems)sincewebegantowanttoknowourownpowersandputourknowledgeintopractice.

IhavethenallthemorereasontoaskyoufirsttoforgiveanymistakeImayhavemade,andthentoremedyitwithyourexpertknowledge;foryou have alwaysmade a special study of civil and constitutional law,ancient and modern, with reference to exceptional as well as currentproblems. Personally I think that the kind of question I am putting toyou would be unfamiliar even to people whose constant dealing withlargenumbersofcasesmakesthemconversantwithmostpossibilities;itmight be entirely outside their experience. So there will be the moreexcuseforme,ifperhapsIwasatfault,andthemorecredittoyouifyou

can instructmeonapointonwhichyoumaynothavebeen informedyourself.

The case at issue concerned the freedmen of the consul AfraniusDexter, who had been found dead; it was not knownwhether he hadkilledhimselforhisservantswereresponsible,and,ifthelatter,whetherthey acted criminally or in obedience to their master. After theproceedingsoneopinion(whose?–mine,butthatisirrelevant)wasthatthey should be acquitted, another that they should be banished to anisland, and a third that they shouldbeput todeath. Suchdiversity ofsentencesmeant that they had to be considered singly; forwhat havedeathandbanishmentincommon?Obviouslynomorethanbanishmentand acquittal, though a vote for acquittal is nearer banishment than avotefordeath,forthefirsttwoleaveamanhislifewhiledeathremovesit. Meanwhile those who voted for the death penalty and banishmentrespectively were sitting together and shelving their differences by atemporaryshowofunity.

Iaskedforthethreesentencestobereckonedasthree,andthattwoshouldnotjoinforcesunderamomentarytruce.ThereforeIinsistedthatthe supporters of the death penalty should move away from theproposersofbanishment,andthatthetwopartiesshouldnotcombinetooppose thoseasking foracquittalwhentheywouldafterwardsdisagreeamongst themselves; for it mattered little that they took the samenegativeviewwhen theirpositiveproposalswere sodifferent.Anotherpoint I found extraordinary was that the member who proposedbanishmentforthefreedmenanddeathfortheslavesshouldhavebeenobliged to divide his vote, while one who was for executing the

freedmencouldbecountedasvotingwith theproposerofbanishment.Forifoneperson’svotehadtobedividedbecauseitcoveredtwodistinctsentences, I could not see how the votes of two people making suchdifferentproposalscouldbetakentogether.

Now, although the case is over letme treat it as still open; letmeexplaintoyou,asIdidtotheSenate,whyIheldthisview;andletmeassemblenowinmyowntimethepointsIhadthentomakepiecemealamidstconsiderable interruption.Letus suppose that three judgesonlyhave been appointed for this case, one of whom has said that thefreedmenshoulddie, thesecondthattheyshouldbebanished,andthethirdthattheyshouldbeacquitted. Is thecombinedweightofthefirsttwosentencestodefeatthethird,or iseachonetobeweighedagainstthe others and the first and second to be combined nomore than thesecond and third? Similarly, in the Senate, all different opinionsexpressed ought to be counted as conflicting. But if one and the samepersonproposedbothdeathandbanishment could theprisoners sufferboth punishments by one person’s sentence alone? Could it beconsidered as one sentence at all when it combined such differentproposals? Then, when one person proposes death and anotherbanishment, how can these be held to be a single sentence becauseexpressed by two people when they were not a single sentence ifexpressedbyoneperson?

Well; the lawclearly states that sentencesofdeathandbanishmentshouldbeconsideredseparately,initsformulafortakingadivision:‘Allwhoagreegotothisside,allwhosupportanyotherproposaltothesideyousupport.’Takethewordsonebyoneandconsiderthem.‘Whoagree’

means‘Whothinktheprisonersshouldbebanished’;‘tothisside’isthesideoftheHousewheretheproposerofbanishmentissitting.Itisclearfrom this that thosewhowant death for the prisoners cannot stay onthatside. ‘Whosupportanyotherproposal’ -youwillobserve that thelawisnotcontentwithsaying‘other’buthasaddedtheword‘any’.Canitbedoubtedthatthosewhowouldputtheprisonerstodeath‘supportanyotherproposal’ incomparisonwiththosewhowouldbanishthem?‘Go to the side you support’: surely the wording of the law seems tosummon and positively compel those who disagree to take differentsides?Theconsulalsoindicatesnotonlybytheestablishedformula,butbyamovementofthehandwhereeveryoneistoremainortowhatsidetocross.

But it canbeargued that if the sentencesofdeathandbanishmentaretakenseparatelyitwillresultintheacquittalhavingamajority.Thatis no concern of the voters, and it certainly ill becomes them to useeveryweaponanddevicetodefeatamorelenientsentence.Or,again,itcanbe said that thosevoting fordeathandbanishment should firstbematchedagainstthosesupportingacquittal,andthenagainsteachother.Insomeofthepublicgamesonegladiatordrawsalotwhichentitleshimtostandasideandwaittofightthevictor;soIsupposetherearetobefirstandsecondrounds in theSenate, too,andthe thirdsentence is towaitandmeetthevictoroftheothertwo.Whatabouttherulethatifthefirstsentenceisapprovedalltheothersaredefeated?Onwhatprinciplecanthesesentencesnotstartonthesamefooting,seeingthattheymayall subsequently cease to count? Iwill put this againmore clearly. Assoon as the proposal of banishment ismade, unless those in favour ofexecution immediately cross over to the other side, it will be useless

theirafterwardsopposingwhattheyagreedwithashorttimebefore.

ButIshouldnotbetheonetogiveinstruction,whenIreallywantedto learn whether the two sentences should have been subsequentlydivided, or all three votedon separately. I carriedmypoint, but nonethe less I want to know whether I should have made it. How did Imanagethis?Theproposerofthedeathsentencewasconvincedbythejustice of my request (whether or not it was legal), dropped his ownproposal, and supported that of banishment. Hewas afraid, no doubt,that if the sentenceswere taken separately (which seemed likely if hedidnot act) theacquittalwouldhaveamajority, for thereweremanymorepeopleinfavourofthisthanofeitheroftheothertwoproposals.Then, when those who had been influenced by him found themselvesabandonedbyhiscrossingthefloorandtheproposalthrownoverbyitsauthor,theydroppedittoo,anddesertedaftertheirleader.Sothethreesentencesbecametwo,andthesecondcarriedthedaybyeliminationofthethirdwhichcouldnotdefeatboththeothers,andthereforechosetosubmittoone.

15.ToTerentiusJunior

Imustbeoverwhelmingyoubysendingsomanybooksatonce;butyouasked for them,and,asyouwrite thatyourgrapeharvest is sopoor, Ican be sure that if you can’t be picking grapes youwill have time, astheysay,topickupabook.Ihavethesamenewsfrommyownfarms,soIshallhavetime,too,towritesomethingforyour‘picking’solongasIcanstillaffordtobuypaper.OtherwiseIshallhavetoeraseallIwrite,goodorbad,andusethepaperagain.

16.ToPliniusPaternus

Ihavebeenmuchdistressedbyillnessamongstmyservants,thedeaths,too, of some of the younger men. Two facts console me somewhat,thoughinadequatelyintroublelikethis:Iamalwaysreadytograntmyslavestheirfreedom,soIdon’tfeeltheirdeathissountimelywhentheydiefree,men,andIalloweventhosewhoremainslavestomakeasortofwillwhich I treat as legally binding.They set out their instructionsand requests as they think fit, and I carry themout as if actingunderorders. They can distribute their possessions and make any gifts andbequests they like, within the Emits of the household: for the houseprovidesaslavewithacountryandasortofcitizenship.

But though I can take comfort from these thoughts, I still findmypowersof resistanceweakenedby thevery feelingsofhumanitywhichledme to grant this privilege. Not that I would wish to be harder ofheart;and Iamwellaware thatsomepeople lookuponmisfortunesofthis kind as nomore than amonetary loss, and think themselves finemen and philosophers for doing so.Whether they are in fact fine andphilosophic I can’t say, but they are certainly notmen.A trueman isaffectedbygriefandhasfeelings,thoughhemayfightthem;heallowshimselftobeconsoled,butisnotabovetheneedofconsolation.ImayperhapshavesaidmoreonthissubjectthanIought,butnotsomuchasIwould like.Evengriefhas itspleasure, especially if youcanweep inthearmsofa friendwho is readywithapprovalor sympathy foryourtears.

17.ToCaeciliusMacrinus

Can theweather be as bad and stormywhere you are?Herewe havenothingbutgalesandrepeatedfloods.TheTiberhasoverfloweditsbedanddeeplyfloodeditslowerbanks,sothatalthoughitisbeingdrainedbythecanalcutbytheEmperor,withhisusualforesight,itisfillingthevalleys and inundating the fields, and wherever there is level groundthere is nothing to be seen but water. Then the streams which itnormally receives and carries down to the sea are forced back as itspreadstomeetthem,andsoitfloodswiththeirwaterthefieldsitdoesnotreachitself.TheAnio,mostdelightfulofrivers–somuchsothatthehousesonitsbanksseemtobegitnottoleavethem–hastornupandcarriedawaymostofthewoodswhichshadeitscourse.Wherethebanksrisehigh theyhavebeenundermined, so that its channel isblocked inseveralplaceswiththeresultantlandslides;andinitseffortstoregainitslost course it has wrecked buildings and forced out its way over thedebris.

Peoplewhowerehit by the stormonhigher groundhave seen thevaluable furniture and fittings of wealthy homes, or else all the farmstock,yokedoxen,ploughsandploughmen,orcattle left free tograze,and amongst them trunks of trees or beams and roofs of houses, allfloatingbyinwidespreadconfusion.Norhavetheplaceswheretheriverdid not rise escaped disaster, for instead of floods they have hadincessant rain, gales, and cloudbursts which have destroyed the wallsenclosingvaluableproperties,rockedpublicbuildingsandbroughtthemcrashing to theground.Manypeoplehavebeenmaimed, crushed, andburiedinsuchaccidents,sothatlossoflifeisaddedtomaterialdamage.

My fears that you have been through something like this are

proportionatetothedanger–ifIamwrong,pleaserelievemyanxietyassoonaspossible;andletmeknowinanycase.Whetherdisasterisactualor expected the effect is much the same, except that suffering has itslimits but apprehension has none; suffering is confined to the knownevent,butapprehensionextendstoeverypossibility.

18.ToFadiusRufinus

There is certainly no truth in the popular belief that aman’swill is amirror of his character, for Domitius Tullus has proved himself to bemuch better in death than life. Although he had encouraged legacyhunters,he left asheiress thedaughterhe sharedwithhisbrother (hehad adopted his brother’s child). He also left a great many welcomelegacies to his grandsons and to his great-granddaughter; in fact thewholewill isampleproofofhisaffection forhis family,andsoall themoreunexpected.

Consequentlythecityisfullofconflictingopinions;someaccusehimof hypocrisy, ingratitude and fickleness, and in attacking him betraythemselvesbytheirowndisgracefuladmissions,fortheycomplainabouta man who was a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather as if hewere childless. Others applaud him for the very reason that he hasdisappointedtheshamelessexpectationsofmenwhosefrustrationinthiswayaccordswiththespiritof thetimes.TheyalsosaythatTulluswasnotfreetoleaveanyotherwill,forhedidnotbequeathhiswealthtohisdaughter so much as restore what he had acquired through her. ForwhenCurtiliusManciatookaviolentdisliketohisson-in-lawDomitiusLucanus (brother of Tullus), he made his granddaughter, Lucanus’s

daughter,hisheiressoncondition that shewas freed fromher father’scontrol. The father set her free, but the uncle adopted her; thus thepurposeofthewillwasdefeated,for,asthebrothersheldtheirpropertyjointly, the daughter, once freed,was brought back under her father’scontrol by the device of adoption, andwith her came a large fortune.Indeed,thesebrothersseemeddestinedtobemaderichbypeoplewhointended otherwise. Even Domitius Afer, who adopted them into hisfamily, left awillwhichhadbeendrawnupeighteenyearspreviouslyandwas subsequently so far removed from his intentions that he hadtaken steps to procure the confiscation of their father’s property. Hisseverityinremovingfromthecitizenrollthemanwhosechildrenhehadsharedisnolessremarkablethantheirgoodfortuneinfindingasecondfatherinthemanwhoruinedtheirfirst.However,thisinheritancefromAferwasalsodestinedtogotoLucanus’sdaughteralongwiththerestofthe brothers’ joint acquisitions; for Lucanus had made Tullus his soleheir inpreferencetohisowndaughter,withthe ideaofbringingthemtogether.

So this will is all themore creditable for being dictated by familyaffection,honesty,andfeelingsofshame;andinitTullusacknowledgeshisobligationstoallhisrelativesinreturnfortheirservicestohim,ashedoestotheexcellentwifewhohadbornewithhimsolong.Shehasinherited his beautiful country houses and a large sum ofmoney, anddeserved all the more from her husband for having been so severelycriticized for marrying him. It was thought most unsuitable that awoman of her high birth and blameless character,whowas no longeryoung,hadborne children in thepast and longbeenwidowed, shouldmarryawealthyoldmanandahopelessinvalid,whomevenawifewho

hadknownhimwhenyoungandhealthymighthavefoundanobjectofdisgust.Crippled anddeformed in every limb, he couldonly enjoyhisvastwealthbycontemplatingitandcouldnoteventurninbedwithoutassistance.Healsohadtohavehisteethcleanedandbrushedforhim–asqualidandpitifuldetail–andwhencomplainingaboutthehumiliationsof his infirmity was often heard to say that every day he licked thefingers of his slaves. Yet hewent on living, and kept his will to live,helped chiefly by his wife, whose devoted care turned the formercriticismofhermarriageintoatributeofadmiration.

That is all the city gossip, as Tullus is all we talk about. We arelookingforwardtothesaleofhiseffects,forhehadsomanypossessionsthatontheverydayheboughtalargegardenhewasabletobeautifyitwithquantitiesofantiquestatuesfromthesplendidworksofarthehadstoredawayandforgotten.Ifyouhaveanylocalnewsworthsendinginreturn, don’t grudge me it. Not only is it always a pleasure to hearsomethingnew,butalsothroughexampleswestudytheartofliving.

19.ToMaximus

Literatureisbothmyjoyandmycomfort:itcanaddtoeveryhappinessand there is no sorrow it cannot console. So worried as I am by mywife’sill-healthandthesicknessinmyhouseholdanddeathofsomeofmyservants,Ihavetakenrefugeinmywork,theonlydistractionIhaveinmymisery.Itmaymakememoreconsciousofmytroubles,buthelpsmetobearthemwithpatience.

Itis,however,myhabittotesteverythingIproposetosubmittothegeneralpublicbythejudgementofmyfriends,especiallyyourown.Will

youthengiveyourattentiontothebookyouwillreceivewiththisletter,now as never before? I fear my distress will have impaired my ownconcentration,forIcouldcontrolmyfeelingsenoughtowrite,butnottowrite freely andhappily, and if one’swork is to give pleasure itmusthaveitsinspirationinhappiness.

20.ToClusinius(?)Gallus

Wearealways ready tomakea journeyandcross the sea in searchofthingswe fail to notice in front of our eyes,whether it is thatwe arenaturally indifferent to anything close at hand while pursuing distantobjects,orthateverydesirefadeswhenitcaneasilybegranted,orthatwepostponeavisitwiththeideathatweshalloftenbeseeingwhatistheretobeseenwheneverwefeelinclined.Whateverthereason,thereareagreatmanythingsinRomeandnearbywhichwehaveneverseennorevenheardof,thoughiftheyweretobefoundinGreece,EgyptorAsia, or any other countrywhich advertises itswealth ofmarvels,weshouldhaveheardandreadaboutthemandseenthemforourselves.

Iamacaseinpoint.Ihavejustheardofsomething(andseenit,too)whichIhadneitherseennorheardofbefore.Mywife’sgrandfatherhad

askedme to lookathisproperty inAmeria.1Whilegoing round Iwas

showna lakeat the footof thehills calledLakeVadimon,2 andat thesametimetoldsomeextraordinaryfactsaboutit.Iwentdowntolookatit,and found itwasperfectlyroundandregular inshape, likeawheellyingonitsside,withoutasingleirregularbendorcurve,andsoevenlyproportioned that itmight have been artificially shaped and hollowedout.Itissubduedincolour,palebluewithatingeofgreen,hasasmell

ofsulphurandamineraltaste,andthepropertyofhealingfractures.Itisof no great size, but large enough for the wind to raise waves on itssurface.Therearenoboatsonit,asthewatersaresacred,butfloatingislands, green with reeds and sedge and the other plants which growmore profusely on the marshy ground at the edge of the lake. Eachisland has its peculiar shape and size, and all have their edges wornawaybyfriction,astheyareconstantlyknockingagainsteachotherandthe shore. They all have the same height and buoyancy, each shallowbasedippingintothewaterlikethekeelofaboat;andthishasthesameappearancefromallsides,boththepartaboveandthepartunderwater.Sometimes the islands join together to look like a continuous piece ofland, sometimes they are driven apart by conflicting winds, while incalmweather they are left to float about separately. The small islandsoften attach themselves to the larger, like small boats to a merchantship,andbothlargeandsmallsometimesappeartoberacingeachother;ortheyarealldriventoonesideofthelaketocreateaheadlandwheretheyclingtotheshore; theyremoveorrestorestretchesof the lakeononesideortheother,sothatitssizeisunalteredonlywhentheyallkeepto the centre. Cattle are often known towalk on to the islandswhilegrazing,takingthemfortheedgeofthelake,andonlyrealizethattheyareonmovinggroundwhencarriedofffromtheshoreasifforciblyputonboardship,andareterrifiedtofindthemselvessurroundedbywater;then, when they land where the wind has carried them, they are nomore conscious of having ended their voyage than they were ofembarkingonit.Anotherfeatureofthelakeistheriverleadingfromit,whichisvisibleforashortdistancebeforeitentersacaveandcontinuesits course at a great depth; anything thrown in before it disappears is

carriedalongandreappearswithit.

IhavegivenyouthesedetailsbecauseIimaginetheyareasnewandinterestingtoyouastheyweretome;naturalphenomenaarealwaysagreatsourceofinteresttousboth.

21.ToMaturusArrianus

Inliterature,asinlife,Ithinkitabecomingsignofhumanitytominglegraveandgay,lesttheonebecomestooaustereandtheotherindelicate;andthisistheprinciplewhichleadsmetointerspersemymoreseriousworkswith trifles for amusement. Some of these I had ready to bringout,soIchosethemostsuitabletimeandplace,andtoaccustomthemfrom now onwards to being received by a leisured audience in thedining-room,IgatheredmyfriendstogetherinthemonthofJuly(whichisusuallyaquiet time in the lawcourts)andsettled them inchairs infrontofthecouches.ItsohappenedthatonthemorningofthatverydayIwasunexpectedlysummonedtocourttogivelegalassistance,andthisgavemeasubject formy introductoryremarks.For Ibeganbyhopingthatnoonewouldaccusemeofirresponsibilitywhen,onthedayIwastogiveareading(thoughthiswaslimitedtoasmallcircleoffriends),Ihadnotkeptmyselffreefromprofessionalduties–thatis,theclaimsofother friends. I went on to say that I kept to the same order in mywriting;Iputdutybeforepleasureandseriousworkbeforeamusement,andwroteprimarilyformyfriendsandafterthemformyself.Theworkitselfconsistedofshortpiecesindifferentmetres,forthatishowthoseofuswithnogreat confidence inourabilitiesavoid the riskofboringour public. The reading lasted for two days, at the request of my

audience, in spiteof the fact that,whereasotherpeopleomitpassagesandexpectcreditfordoingso,ImakeitclearthatIamleavingnothingout. I read every word so as to correct every word: a thing which isimpossibleforreadersofselectedpassages.Itmaybesaidthattheirsisthemorerestrainedandpossiblymoreconsideratepractice,butmineismore guileless and affectionate; for the confidence in your friends’affectionwhichmakesyouhavenofearofboringthemisproofofyourown feeling. Besides, what is the good of having friends if theymeetonly for their own amusement? It is the dilettante and indifferentlistenerwhowouldratherlistentoagoodbookbyhisfriendinsteadofhelpingtomakeitso.Idon’tdoubtthatyouraffectionformewillmakeyoueagertoreadthisworkofmineassoonaspossible,beforeithaslostitsfreshness;andsoyoushall,butnotuntilafterrevision,asthiswasthepurposeofmy reading it aloud.Parts of it youhave seenalready,butafter these have been corrected (or changed for the worse, as doessometimeshappenafteralongdelay)youwillfindnewlifeandstyleinthem. For when the greater part of a book is recast the remainderappearstoshareinthechange.

22.ToRosianusGeminus

Youmustknowpeoplewhoareslavestoeverysortofpassionwhiletheydisplay a sort of jealous resentment against the faults of others, andshow leastmercy to those theymost resemble; though there are otherpeople who need no man’s forgiveness but are best known for theirtolerance.Myownideaofthetrulygoodandfaultlessmanisonewhoforgivesthefaultsofothersasifhewasdailycommittingthemhimself,

andwhokeepshimself freeoffaultsas ifhecouldneverforgivethem.Thisthenshouldbeourruleathomeandabroad,ineverywalkoflife:toshownomercytoourselvesandbereadywithitforothers,evenforthosewhocanexcusenofailingsbuttheirown.LetusalwaysrememberwhatwassooftensaidbyThrasea,whosegiftofsympathymadehimthegreatmanhewas:‘Anyonewhohatesfaultshatesmankind.’

Youmaywonderwhathasprovokedmetowritelikethis.Someonerecently–butIcantellyoubetterwhenwemeet,orbetterstill,notatall, for I amafraid that if I offer anyhostile criticismor even tell youwhatIdislike,itwillconflictwiththisprincipletowhichIattachsuchimportance.Themanandhischaractershallnotbetold;toexposehimwouldpointnomoral,butnottodosoisatruesignofgenerosity.

23.ToAefulanusMarcellinus

Work,caresanddistractions–allareinterrupted,cutshort,anddrivenoutofmymind,forthedeathofJuniusAvitushasbeenaterribleblow.Hehadassumedthebroadstripeofthesenatorinmyhouseandhadmysupport when standing for office, and such moreover was hisaffectionate regard for me that he took me for his moral guide andmentor. This is rare in the young people of today, few of whomwillyield to age or authority as being their superior. They are born withknowledgeandunderstandingofeverything; they showneither respectnordesiretoimitate,andsettheirownstandards.

Avitus was not like this. His wisdom consisted in his belief thatothers were wiser than himself, his learning in his readiness to betaught.Healwayssoughtadviceforhisstudiesorhisdutiesinlife,and

alwayswentawayfeelinghewasmadebetter;andindeedhewasbetter,eitherfromtheadvicegivenhimorfromtheveryfactthathehadaskedfor it. What deference he showed to the high standards of Servianus!TheyfirstmetwhenServianuswaslegateofGermany,andAvitus,whenserving as military tribune, so won his heart that on his transfer toPannoniahe took theyoungmanwithhim,notasaservingsoldier somuch as a companion andmember of his personal staff. Think of theindustry and unassuming manner which won him the liking andaffection of themany consulswho found him so useful as a quaestor,andtheenergyandconcentrationheappliedtocanvassingfortheofficeofaedile,fromwhichhehasbeenthusprematurelytakenaway.ThisiswhatI findhardesttobear;hisuselessefforts,hisfruitlessprayers,thepositionhedeservedbutneverheld, arealways inmymind’s eye; thesenator’sstripeheassumedinmyhome,thefirsttime,andnowthislasttimeIsupportedhiselection,ourtalksanddiscussions,allcomebacktome.

I mourn his youth and the plight of his family, for he leaves anelderlymother,awifehemarriedonlyayearago,andadaughternotlongborn.Somanyhopesandjoysarethusreversedinasingleday.Hehad justbeenelectedaedile,and fora short timehewashusbandandfather:nowhehasleftthepostheneverheld,hismotherischildlessandhiswifeawidow,andhisdaughter is leftanorphan,never toknowafather’s love. I weep the more to think that I was away and knewnothingofthefatehangingoverhim–thenewsofhisillnessanddeathreachedmeatthesamemoment,beforefearcouldaccustommetothiscruelsorrow.IaminsuchanguishasIwritethatthismustbeall;Icanthinkandspeakofnothingelsejustnow.

24.ToValerius(?)Maximus

Iknowyouneednotelling,butmyloveforyoupromptsmetoremindyou to keep inmindandput intopracticewhat youknowalready, orelseitwouldbebetterforyoutoremainignorant.Rememberthatyouhave been sent to the province of Achaea, to the pure and genuineGreece, where civilization and literature, and agriculture, too, arebelievedtohaveoriginated;andyouhavebeensenttosetinordertheconstitutionoffreecities,andaregoingtofreemenwhoarebothmenand free in the fullest sense, for they have maintained their naturalrightsbytheircourage,merits,andfriendlyrelationships,andfinallybytreatyandsanctionofreligion.Respectthegodstheirfoundersandthenamestheybear,respecttheirancientgloryandtheirveryage,whichinman commands our veneration, in cities our reverence. Pay regard totheirantiquity,theirheroicdeeds,andthelegendsoftheirpast.Donotdetract fromanyone’sdignity, independence,orevenpride,butalwaysbear inmind that this is the landwhich provided uswith justice andgaveuslaws,notafterconqueringusbutatourrequest;thatitisAthensyougotoandSpartayourule,andtorobthemofthenameandshadowoffreedom,whichisall thatnowremainstothem,wouldbeanactofcruelty,ignoranceandbarbarism.(Illnessisthesameinaslaveasinafreeman, but youwill have observedhowadoctorwill treat the freemanwithmorekindnessandconsideration.)Rememberwhateachcitywasonce,butwithoutlookingdownonitforbeingsonolonger;donotallowyourselftobehardordomineering,andhavenofearthatyouwillbedespisedforthis.Noonewhobearstheinsigniaofsupremeauthorityisdespisedunlesshisownmeannessandignobilityshowthathemustbe

thefirsttodespisehimself.Itisapoorthingifauthoritycanonlytestits

powers by insults to others, and if homage is to be won by terror;affection is farmoreeffective than fear ingainingyouyourends.Feardisappears at your departure, affection remains, and, whereas fearengendershatred,affectiondevelopsintogenuineregard.

Never,neverforget(Imustrepeatthis)theofficialtitleyoubear,andkeepclearlyinmindwhatitmeansandhowmuchitmeanstoestablishorder intheconstitutionof freecities, fornothingcanserveacity likeordered rule and nothing is so precious as freedom; nor can anythingequal thedisgraceshouldorderbeoverthrownand freedomgiveplacetoservitude.Youaremoreoveryourownrival;youbringwithyoutheexcellentreputationyouwonduringyourquaestorshipinBithynia,youbringtheEmperor’srecognitionandyourexperienceastribune,praetor,and holder of your present office, given you as a reward for yourservices.Youmustthenmakeeveryeffortnotto let itappearthatyouwereabetter,kinder,andmoreexperiencedadministrator ina remoteprovincethaninonenearerRomeandwhendealingwithservileratherthan free men, when you were elected by lot instead of being theEmperor’s choice, and at a time when you were raw and unknownbeforebeingtestedandprovedbyexperience.And,besides,asyouhaveoftenheardandread, it is farmoreshameful to loseareputation thannottowinone.

Pleasebelieve,asIsaidatthestart,thatthisletterwasintendednotto tell, but to remind you of your duties – though I know I am reallytellingyouaswell,as Iamnotafraidof lettingmyaffectioncarrymetoofar;thereisnodangerofexcesswherethereoughttobenolimits.

BOOKNINE

1.ToNovius(?)Maximus

Ihaveoftenurgedyou tobeasquickasyoucanaboutpublishing the

articles youwrote in your owndefence or against Planta1 – or rather,withbothendsinviewasthesubjectdemanded.NowthatIhavenewsofhisdeath,Iamevenmoreanxiousforyoutodothis.Iknowyouhavereadthemtoanumberofpeopleandlentthemtootherstoread,butIdon’t want anyone to imagine that you waited for his death to beginwhatyouhad in factcompletedduringhis lifetime.Youmustkeepupyourreputationforstandingbyyourconvictions,andcandoso if it isknown to your friends and enemies alike that you did not pluck upcouragetowriteasaresultofyourenemy’sdeath,but thatyourworkwasalready finished forpublicationwhenhisdeath intervened.At the

sametimeyouwillavoidHomer’s‘impietyofboastingoverthedead’;2

for anythingwritten and read about aman in his lifetime can still bepublishedagainsthimafterdeathasifhewerestillalive,solongasitispublishedatonce.So,ifyouhaveanythingelseinhand,layitasideforthepresentandputthefinishingtouchtothesespeeches;althoughthoseofuswhohavereadthemthinktheyreachedperfectionlongago.Youshould think the same, for the subject calls for action and the

circumstancesshouldcutshortyourhesitation.

2.ToStatiusSabinus

Itiskindofyoutoaskmetomakemyletterslongaswellasfrequent.Ihavebeenratherdoubtfulaboutdoingso,partlyoutofconsiderationforyourbusy life, partly becausemyown timehas beenmuch, takenup,mostly with trivial duties which interrupt concentration and make itdifficulttoresumeit.Besides, I lackedsubject-matterforwritingmore.You want me to follow Cicero’s example, but my position is verydifferentfromhis.Hewasnotonlyrichlygiftedbutwassuppliedwithawealth of varied and important topics to suit his abilities, though youknowwithoutmy telling you the narrow limits confiningme. Imightdecide to send you a sort of pupil’s exercise for a letter, but I canimaginenothinglesssuitable,whenIthinkofyourlifeunderarms,thecamps,buglesandtrumpets,sweatanddustandheatofthesun.

Thereismyexcuse,areasonableoneIthink,thoughI’mnotsureifIwantyoutoacceptit;itisasignoftrueaffectiontorefusetoforgiveafriend for the shortness of his letters although you know he has goodreasonforthem.

3.ToValeriusPaulinus

Opinionsdiffer,butmyideaofthetrulyhappymanisofonewhoenjoystheanticipationofagoodand lastingreputation,and,confident in theverdictofposterity,livesintheknowledgeofthefamethatistocome.Weremy own eyes not fixed on the reward of immortality I could be

happyinaneasylifeofcompleteretirement,foreveryone,Ithink,must

choosebetweentwoconsiderations:thatfameisimperishableormanismortalTheformerwillleadhimtoalifeoftoilandeffort,thelatterwillteachhimtorelaxquietlyandnottowearouthisshortexistencewithvain endeavours, as I see many doing, though their semblance ofindustry,aswretchedas it isunrewarding,onlybringsthemtodespisethemselves. I tellyouthisas I tell it tomyselfeveryday,sothat Icanstopifyoudisagree;butIdoubtifyouwill,whenyouhavesomegreatandimmortalprojectalwaysinmind.

4.ToCaeciliusMacrinus

WiththisletterIamsendingaspeechwhichImightfearyouwouldfindtoo long,were it not the kindwhich gives the impression of repeatedstartsandconclusions;foreachseparatechargeistreatedasaseparatecase.So,whereveryoubeginandleaveoff,youwillbeabletoreadwhatfollows either as a new subject or as part of thewhole, and judgemelong-windedoverthecompletespeechbutbriefenoughineachsection.

5.ToCalestriusTiro

I am told you are doing splendidly (and I hope this will continue) inyouradministrationofjusticeinyourprovince;byyourtactyoumakeitaccepted by the people, a tactwhich consistsmainly inmaking everyhonest man your friend, and winning the affection of the humblewithoutlosingtheregardoftheirsuperiors.Yetmostpeopleintheirfearofappearingtoallowtoomanyconcessionstotheinfluenceofthegreat,

acquirethereputationofbeingclumsyandevenoffensive.Youarequite

free from this fault I know, but I cannot help sounding as if I wereprofferingadvicewhenImeantocongratulateyouonthewayinwhichyoupreserve the distinctions of class and rank; once these are thrownintoconfusionanddestroyed,nothingismoreunequalthantheresultant‘equality’.

6.ToCalvisiusRufus

Ihavebeenspendingallthelastfewdaysamongstmynotesandpapersinmostwelcomepeace.HowcouldI–inthecity?TheRaceswereon,atypeofspectaclewhichhasneverhadtheslightestattraction forme. Ican find nothing new or different in them: once seen is enough, so itsurprisesmeall themore that somanythousandsofadultmenshouldhave suchachildishpassion forwatchinggallopinghorsesanddriversstandinginchariots,overandoveragain.Iftheywereattractedbythespeedofthehorsesorthedrivers’skillonecouldaccountforit,butinfactitistheracing-colourstheyreallysupportandcareabout,andifthecolourswere tobeexchanged inmid-courseduringa race, theywouldtransfer their favour and enthusiasm and rapidly desert the famousdriversandhorseswhosenamestheyshoutastheyrecognizethemfromafar.Suchisthepopularityandimportanceofaworthlessshirt–Idon’tmeanwiththecrowd,whichisworthlessthantheshirt,butwithcertainserious individuals.When I think how this futile, tedious,monotonousbusinesscankeepthemsittingendlesslyintheirseats,Itakepleasureinthefactthattheirpleasureisnotmine.AndIhavebeenverygladtofillmy idlehourswith literaryworkduring thesedayswhichothershave

wastedintheidlestofoccupations.

7.ToVoconiusRomanus

Iamdelightedtohearyouarebuilding;nowIcancountonyoutopleadmycase,andbe justified inmyownplans ifyouarebuilding too.Wehaveafurtherpointincommon–youarebuildingbytheseaandIontheshoresofLakeComo.ThereIhaveseveralhouses,twoofwhichgivemealotofpleasurebutacorrespondingamountofwork.Oneisbuilton

therockswithaviewoverthelake,likethehousesatBaiae,1theotherstands on the very edge of thewater in the same style, and so I havenamedoneTragedy,becauseitseemstoberaisedonactor’sboots,anddie other Comedy, because it wears low shoes. Each has its specialcharmand seems themoreattractive to theoccupantbycontrastwiththeother.The formerhas awiderviewof the lake, the latter a closerone,asitisbuilttocurvegraduallyroundasinglebay,followingitslinebyabroadterrace;whiletheotherstandsonahighridgedividingtwobays,whereastraightdriveextendsforsomedistanceabovetheshore.Oneisuntouchedbythewaterandyoucanlookdownfromitsheighttothe fishermenbelow,while thewavesbreakagainst theotherandyoucanfishfromityourself,castingyour linefromyourbedroomwindowandpracticallyfromyourbedasifyouwereinaboat.Alltheseexistingamenitiesgivemeareasonforbuildingnecessaryadditionsontobothhouses;thoughIknowIneednotexplainmyselftoyou,whenthisisnomorethanyouaredoingyourself.

8.ToSentiusAugurims

If I begin praising you after your praise of me, I fear I shall look asthoughIamonlyshowinggratitudeinsteadofgivingatrueopinion.Allthesame,Idothinkallyourwrittenworksareveryfine,butespeciallythosewhichdealwithme.For this there isoneandthesamereason–youareatyourbestinwritingaboutyourfriends,andIfindityourbestwhenitisaboutmyself.

9.ToColonus

IverymuchappreciateyourgriefatthedeathofPompeiusQuintianus,andcanunderstandhowyourloveforhimisincreasedbyyoursenseofloss;unlikemostpeoplewhofeelaffectiononlyfortheliving,orrathermakeashowofdoingso,andnoteventhatunlesstheyseetheirfriendsprospering:theunfortunatetheyforgetasquicklyasthedead.Butyourloyalty is unfailing, and your constancy in love too great for anythingshort of your own death to end it; andQuintianuswas indeed amanwhodeservedaffectionthroughtheexamplehegaveofit.Helovedhisfriends in success, helped them in misfortune, and mourned them indeath.Think,too,ofhishonestcountenanceanddeliberatespeech,thehappy balance he kept between reserve and friendliness, and hisenthusiasm for literaturecombinedwithhis criticalpowers: thinkhowhe lived dutifully with a father very unlike himself, and though anexcellentsonwasneverpreventedfromshowinghismeritsasaman!

ButImustnotaggravateyoursuffering,thoughIknowyoulovedtheyoungmansodearlythatyoufindsufferingpreferabletosilenceabouthim;andleastofalldoyouwantsilencefromme,whenIcanvoicethepraisewhichyoufeelcandohonourtohislife,prolonghismemory,and

givebacktohimtheyearstakenfromhim.

10.ToCorneliusTacitus

I should like to obey your orders, but when you tell me I ought tohonourDianaalongwithMinervaI find it impossible– there issuchashortageofboars.SoIcanonlyserveMinerva,andevenherinthelazywaytobeexpectedduringasummerholiday.OnmywayhereImadeupsomebitsofnonsense(notworthkeeping)intheconversationalstyleone uses when travelling, and I added something to them once I washere and had nothing better to do; but peace reigns over the poemswhichyoufancyareonlytooeasytofinishinthewoodsandgroves. Ihave revised one or two short speeches, though this is the sort ofdisagreeable task I detest and is more like one of the hardships ofcountrylifethanitspleasures.

11.ToRosianusGeminus

Ihaveyourletter,aspeciallywelcomeoneasyouwantmetowriteyousomethingwhichcanbe includedinyourpublishedwork. Iwill findasubject, either the one you suggest or something preferable, for yoursmaygiveoffenceincertainquarters–useyoureyesandyouwillsee.I

didn’t think therewereanybooksellers inLugdunum,1 so Iwasall themorepleasedtolearnfromyourletterthatmyeffortsarebeingsold.I’mglad they retain abroad the popularity they won in Rome, and I’mbeginning to think my work must really be quite good when publicopinioninsuchwidelydifferentplacesisagreedaboutit.

12.ToTerentiusJunior

Someone was reproving his son for spending rather too much buyinghorsesanddogs.When theyoungmanhad leftus I said tohis father:‘Well,haveyouneverdoneanythingyourfathercouldcomplainabout?Or rather, don’t you still sometimes do things which your son couldcriticize as severely if he suddenly became father and you his son?Surely everyone is liable tomakemistakes and everyone has his ownfoibles?’Itookwarningmyselffromthisinstanceofundueseverity,andamwritingtoyouasonefriendtoanothersothatyou,too,mayneverbe tooharshand strictwithyour son.Remember thathe isaboyandyouhavebeenaboyyourself, anduseyour rights as a fatherwithoutforgettingthatyouareonlyhumanandsoisyourson.

13.ToUmmidiusQuadratus

The more thoroughly you apply yourself to reading my speeches in

vindicationofHelvidius,1themorepressingbecomesyourdemandthatIshould give you a full account of the particulars not covered by thespeeches as well as those arising out of them – in fact you want thewhole sequence of the events which you were too young to witnessyourself.

OnceDomitianwasdeadIdecidedonreflectionthatthiswasatrulysplendidopportunityforattackingtheguilty,avengingtheinjured,andmaking oneself known. Moreover, though many crimes had beencommittedbynumerouspersons,noneseemedsoshockingastheviolentattackintheSenate-housemadebyasenatoronafellowsenator,bya

praetorianactingasjudgeonaconsularwhohadbeenbroughttotrial.Ihadalsobeen the friendofHelvidius,as faras friendshipwaspossiblewith one who had been driven through fear of the times to hide hisfamousnameandequallyfamousvirtuesinretirement,andthefriendofhisstepmotherFanniaandhermotherArria.ButIwasnotmovedtoactsomuchbypersonalobligationsasbythedemandsofcommonjustice,theenormityof thedeed, and the thoughtof establishingaprecedent.Now,intheearlydaysafterlibertywasrestored,everyonehadactedforhimself, brought his personal enemies to trial (if they were not toopowerful), and had them condemned amid the general confusion andchaos.BycontrastIbelievedthatthepropercourse,aswellasthemoreeffective, was to deal with this atrocious criminal not through theuniversal hatred of Domitian’s time, but by bringing a specific chargeagainsthimatamomentwhenthefirstoutbursthadspentitselfandthefury which was daily abating had yielded to justice. So though I was

greatlydistressedat the timebytherecentdeathofmywife,1 I sentamessagetoAnteia(widowofHelvidius)askinghertovisitme,asIwaskeptindoorsbymyrecentbereavement.WhenshecameItoldherIhaddeterminednottoleaveherhusbandunavenged.‘TellthistoArriaandFannia,’ I said(for theywerebackfromexile). ‘Talk itoverwiththemandseewhetheryouwishtobeassociatedwith thiscase. Idon’tneedsupport, but I amnot so jealous formyowngloryas to grudgeyouashareinit.’AnteiadidasIaskedandthewomenactedpromptly.

Fortunately the Senate met on the next day but one. I was in thehabitofreferringeverythingtoCorelliusRufus,whomIknewtopossessthegreatestforesightandwisdomofourtime,butonthisoccasionIwassatisfiedwithmyownjudgement;forIwasafraidhemightforbidmeto

proceed,beingrathercautiousandhesitant.However,Icouldnotbringmyselfnottotellhimofmyintendedactionontheactualday,whenmydecisionwasmade.(Ihavelearnedfromexperiencethat,ifyourmindisalready made up, you should not consult people whose advice youshouldtakeifyouaskforit.)IenteredtheSenate,askedforpermissiontospeak,andforawhilewonwarmapprovalforwhatIwassaying,butas soon as I mentioned the charge and indicated (though not yet byname)whowas tobeaccused, therewasageneraloutcryagainstme.‘Telluswhoistheobjectofthisirregularattack!’‘Whoisbeingchargedbefore notice is served?’ ‘Let us survivors remain alive!’ and so on. Ilistened, calm and unafraid; such is the strength to be won from anhonestcause,andsomuchdoesconfidenceor feardependonwhetherone’sconductmeetswithactiveoppositionornomorethandisapproval.Itwould take too long to recountall theargumentsonboth sides,butfinallytheconsultoldmethatifIhadanythingtosayIcouldspeakinmyproperturn.

I pointed out that I had only been granted the permissionwhichwasneverrefusedanyone,andthensatdownwhileotherbusinesswasdealtwith.Meanwhile,oneofmyfriendsamongsttheconsularstookmeasideprivately and seriously rebukedme for coming forward so rashly andrecklessly, advisedme to desist, and added that I hadmademyself amarkedmanintheeyesoffutureEmperors.‘Nevermind,’saidI,‘aslongas they are bad ones.’ Scarcely had he left me when another began:‘Whatareyoudoing?Whereareyouheading?Whatabouttherisksyouare running? Why such confidence in the present when the future isuncertain?YouarechallengingamanwhoisalreadyaTreasuryofficialandwill soonbeconsul, andhasbesides such influenceand friends to

support him!’ (He named someone1 who was then in the east, at thehead of a powerful and celebrated army, and about whom seriousthough unconfirmed rumourswere circulating.) To this I replied,’ “All

haveIforeseenandgonethroughinmymind”;2ifitistobemyfate,Iamprepared to face thepenalty for anhonest deedwhilepunishing acriminalone.’

By now it was time for members to give their opinions. DomitiusApollinaris the consul-elect, Fabricius Veiento, Fabius Postuminus,BittiusProculus,colleagueofPubliciusCertus(thesubjectofthedebate)andstepfatherofmylatewife,allspoke,andwerefollowedbyAmmiusFlaccus.AlldefendedCertusasifIhadnamedhim(thoughIhadnotyetdoneso),andsetaboutrefutingachargeasyetunspecified.WhatelsetheysaidIneedn’ttellyou,asyouhaveitallinthepublishedspeeches–Igaveitallinfull,inthewordsofthespeakers.

AvidiusQuietus andCornutusTertullus then spoke on the oppositeside. Quietus argued that it was quite unjust to refuse to hear thecomplaintsofinjuredparties,andthatthereforeArriaandFanniashouldnot be denied their right of protest; what mattered was not a man’spositionbut thecasehehad toanswer.Cornutus said that theconsulshadappointedhimguardiantoHelvidius’sdaughterattherequestofhermotherandstepfather,andevenatthepresenttimehecouldnotthinkof giving up his responsibilities; however, he would set a limit to hispersonal indignationandcomplywith theverymoderatesentimentsoftheseexcellentwomen,whoaskednomorethantoremindtheSenateofthebloodstainedservilityofPubliciusCertusandtopetitionthatifsuchflagrantcrimeweretogounpunished,hemightatleastbebrandedwith

some degradation like the former censors’ mark. Then Satrius Rufusmadea vagueandambiguous sort of speech. ‘Inmyopinion,’ he said,‘injusticewillbedonetoPubliciusCertus ifheisnotacquitted; forhisnamewasonlymentionedbythefriendsofArriaandFannia,andbyhisown friends. We need not be apprehensive, for it is we, who haveconfidence in theman,whowill be his judges. If he is innocent, as Ihopeandwishand shall continue tobelieveuntil something isprovedagainsthim,youwillbeabletoacquithim.’

Theseweretheviewsexpressedasthespeakerswerecalleduponinorder.Thenmyturncame.Irosetomyfeetwiththeopeningwordsyousee in the published speech, and replied to them one by one. It wasremarkabletoseetheattentionandapplausewithwhichall Isaidwasreceived by thosewho had previously shoutedme down: a change offrontproducedeitherbytheimportanceoftheissue,thesuccessofthespeech, or the firmness of the speaker. I came to an end, andVeientobegantoreply.Noonewouldallowit,andtheinterruptionanduproarincreaseduntilhesaid,‘Ibegyou,ConscriptFathers,nottocompelmetoappealfortheprotectionofthetribunes.’AtoncethetribuneMurenaretorted,‘Thehonourablememberhasmypermissiontoproceed.’Againtherewasanoutcry,andmeanwhiletheconsulcalledoutnames,tookadivision, and dismissed the Senate, leaving Veiento still standing andtryingtospeak.Hehascomplainedbitterlyaboutthisinsult(ashecallsit)inalineofHomer’s:‘Mylord,theyoungfightersaresurelytoomuch

foryourage.’1

Almost the entire Senate embraced me with open arms andoverwhelmed me with enthusiastic congratulations for having revived

thepractice,longfallenintodisuse,ofbringingmeasuresforthepublicgoodbeforetheSenateattheriskofincurringpersonalenmities;IhadinfactfreedtheSenatefromtheodiuminwhichitwasheldamongsttheother classes for showing severity to others while sparing its ownmembersbyasortofmutualconnivance.Certuswasnotpresentattheseproceedings;eitherhesuspectedsomethingofthesortorhewasill–theexcusehegave. It is true that theEmperorbroughtnomotionagainsthimbeforetheSenate,butIwonmypoint.TheconsulshipwasgiventoCertus’s colleague, andCertuswas removed fromhisTreasurypost, sothatmyconcludingdemandwasfulfilledthat‘heshouldgivebackunderthebestofEmperorstherewardhereceivedfromtheworst’.

Afterwards I set down what I could remember of my speech, andmade several additions. By coincidence, though it seemed no merecoincidence,afewdaysafterthespeechwaspublishedCertusfellillanddied.Ihavehearditsaidthatalwaysinhismind’seyehehadavisionofmethreateninghimwithasword.WhetherthisistrueIshouldn’tliketosay,butithelpstopointamoralifitisacceptedastrue.

Hereyouhavealetteraslongasthespeechesyouhaveread,ifyouthinkwhat the lengthof a letter shouldbe–butyouweren’t satisfiedwiththespeechesandhaveonlyyourselftoblame.

14.ToCorneliusTacitus.

You are never satisfied with yourself, but I never write with suchconfidenceaswhenIwriteaboutyou.Whetherposteritywillgiveusathought I don’t know, but surelywedeserve one – I don’t say for ourgenius,whichsounds likeboasting,but forourapplication,hardwork,

and regard for future generations.Only let us continue along thepathwehavechosen;ifitleadsfewtothefulllightoffame,itbringsmanyoutoftheshadesofobscurity.

15.ToPompeiusFalco

ItookrefugeinTuscanytobefreetodoasIliked,buteventhereithasbeen impossible. I ambeset on all sides by thepeasantswith all theirpetitions full of complaints, and these I read rather more unwillinglythanmyownwritings,whichIreallyhavenowishtoreadeither.(Iamrevisingsomeminorspeechesofmine,andaftera lapseof time it isatedious and exasperating task.)Myaccounts areneglected, as if 1hadnotcomehere todo them. Ido,however, takeahorse sometimesandplaythepartofproprietor,butonlytotheextentofridingroundpartoftheestateforexercise.Don’tyoudropyourhabitofsendingmethecitynewswhileIamrusticatinginthisway!

16.ToPomponiusMamilianus

I’mnotsurprisedyouenjoyedyourhuntingsomuch,withallthatinthebag – you write as the historians do that the numbers couldn’t becounted.Personally Ihaveneither timenor inclination forhunting;notime because I am busy with the grape harvest, and no inclinationbecauseitisabadone.ButIambringinginsomenewversesinsteadofnewwine,and,asyouarekindenoughtoaskforthem,Iwillsendthemwhenthefermentingstageisover.

17.ToJuliusGenitor

Thankyouforyour letter.Youcomplainaboutadinnerparty,agrandaffair which filled youwith disgust at themimes and clowns and themale ‘dancers’ going the round of the tables. Please don’t be for everfrowning–Ihavenothingofthatkindinmyownhouse,butIcanputupwiththosewhodo.ThereasonwhyIdon’thavethemisthatIfindnothingnoveloramusingtoattractmeinthatsortof‘dancer’s’charms,inamime’simpudence,oraclown’sfolly.ButyouseeIamnotpleadingmyprinciplesbutmypersonaltaste;andthinkhowmanypeopletherearewhodisliketheentertainmentswhichwefindfascinating,andthinkthemeitherpointlessorboring.Howmanytaketheirleaveattheentryofareader,amusician,oranactor,orelseliebackindisgust,asyoudidwhen you had to endure thosemonstrosities as you call them! Let usthenbetolerantofotherpeople’spleasuressoastowinindulgenceforourown.

18.ToStatiusSabinus

Thedevotedconcentrationwithwhichyoureadandremembermysmalleffortsisclearfromyourletter;soyouaretoblameforthetaskyousetyourselfbybeggingandcoaxingmetosendyouasmuchofmyworkasIcan.Ican’trefuse,butIshallsenditbitbybitinsmalldoses–gratefulthough I am to that memory of yours, I don’t want to confuse it byapplicationtotoomuchmaterialatatimeandleaveitoverwhelmedandsurfeited,sothatithastosacrificethepartsforthewholeandtheearlieritemsforthelater.

19.ToCremutiusRuso

Yousayyouhavereadinaletterofmine1thatVerginiusRufusorderedthisinscriptionforhistomb:

HereliesRufus,whooncedefeatedVindexandsetfreetheimperialpowerNotforhimself,butforhiscountry.

Youdislikethis;Frontinus,yousay,showedabetterandnoblerspiritinforbiddinganymonumentatalltobesetuptohimself;finally,youwantmyopiniononbothmen.

Ilovedthemboth,butIadmiredmorethemanyoucriticize,admiredhimsomuchthatIthoughthecouldneverbepraisedenough.Yetnowthe time has comewhen Imust undertake his defence. Everyonewhohasdone somegreatandmemorabledeed should, I think,notonlybeexcusedbutevenpraisedifhewishestoensuretheimmortalityhehasearned, and by the very words of his epitaph seeks to perpetuate theundyinggloryofhisname.AndIcannoteasily thinkofanyoneexceptVerginiuswhosefameinactionismatchedbyhismodestyinspeakingofit. Icanbearwitnesstothismyself; Ienjoyedhisconfidenceandclosefriendship,butonlyonce inmyhearingdidhego so faras tomakeasingle reference to what he had done. This was the occasion when

Cluvius1 said, ‘You know how a historian must be faithful to facts,Verginius, so, if you findanything inmyhistorieswhich isnotasyouwould like it,please forgiveme.’Tothishereplied, ‘Don’tyourealize,Cluvius,thatIdidwhatIdidsothattherestofyoushouldbeatlibertytowriteasyouplease?’

NowletusconsiderFrontinus,on theverypoint inwhichyou findhimmoremoderateandrestrained.Frontinusforbadeanymonumenttobesetup,butwhatwerehiswords?‘Amonumentismoneywasted;my

memorywillliveonifmylifehasdeservedit.’Doyoureallythinkthatit shows more reticence to publish throughout the world that yourmemorywillliveon,thantorecordyourachievementinasingleplacein amere couple of lines?However,my intentionwas not to criticizeFrontinus but to defend Verginius; though there could be no betterdefenceofhimforyourearsthanacomparisonwiththemanyouprefer.My own feeling is that neither should be blamed, for both hoped forfame though they sought it by different roads, one by claiming theepitaphwhichwashisdue,theotherbyprofessingtodespiseit.

20.ToVenator

Yourletterpleasedmeallthemoreforbeingalongone,especiallyasitwasallaboutmyownbooks. Ican’tbesurprisedthatyouenjoythem,sinceyoucarealmostasmuchformyeffortsasyoudoformyself.Asforme,at thisverymoment Iamgathering in thegrapeharvest,which ispoor,butbetterthanIhadexpected;ifyoucancallit’gathering‘topickanoccasionalgrape,lookatthepress,tastethefermentingwineinthevat,andpayasurprisevisittotheservantsIbroughtfromthecity–whoarenowstandingoverthepeasantsatworkandhaveabandonedmetomysecretariesandreaders.

21.ToSabinianus

Thefreedmanofyourswithwhomyousaidyouwereangryhasbeentome, flung himself at my feet, and clung to me as if I were you. Hebeggedmyhelpwithmanytears,thoughheleftagooddealunsaid;in

short, he convinced me of his genuine penitence. I believe he has

reformed,becauseherealizeshedidwrong.Youareangry,Iknow,andI know too that your angerwasdeserved, butmercywinsmostpraisewhen there was just cause for anger. You loved the man once, and Ihopeyouwilllovehimagain,butitissufficientforthemomentifyouallow yourself to be appeased. You can always be angry again if hedeservesit,andwillhavemoreexcuseifyouwereonceplacated.Makesomeconcessiontohisyouth,histears,andyourownkindheart,anddonottormenthimoryourselfanylonger–angercanonlybeatormenttoyourgentleself.

I’mafraidyouwillthinkIamusingpressure,notpersuasion,ifIaddmyprayers tohis–but this iswhat I shalldo,andall themore freelyand fully because I have given the man a very severe scolding andwarnedhimfirmlythatIwillnevermakesucharequestagain.Thiswasbecause he deserved a fright, and is not intended for your ears; formaybeIshallmakeanotherrequestandobtainit,aslongasitisnothingunsuitableformetoaskandyoutogrant.

22.ToHerennius(?)Severus

I have been veryworried about the illness of Passennus Paulus – andwitheveryjustreason,forheisthebestofmen,thesoulofhonesty,andmydevotedfriend.Hisliteraryworkismodelledonthatoftheancientswhomheimitatesandbringsbacktolife,Propertiusinparticular,fromwhom he traces his descent; and he is indeed a true descendant,resemblingthepoetmost in thequalitieswhichwerehisgreatestTakeup his elegiacs and you will find them exquisitely finished, full of

sensuouscharm,andtruly inPropertius’sstyle.Hehas latelyturnedtolyric poetry, and here he recalls Horace as successfully as he doesPropertius elsewhere: if kinship has any influence on literature, youwould thinkhewas related toHorace too.He ishighlyversatile,withmanychangesofmood;hecanlovelikeatrueloverandportraygriefinallitspassion;histributesaregenerousandhiswitisbrilliant:infacthecandoeverythingwithaspecialist’sperfection.

ThisisthefriendandgeniusforwhomIhavebeenassickatheartashe was in body, but now at last he is restored, and I with him.Congratulateme,congratulateliteratureitself,forthedangertohislifehas brought it through hazards as great as the glory his recoverywillensureforit.

23.ToMaximus

It has often happened tomewhen speaking in the Centumviral Courtthatmyhearershavepreservedtheirjudicialdignityandimpassivityfora while and then suddenly jumped to their feet with one accord tocongratulatemeasifdrivenbysomecompellingforce.FromtheSenate,too,Ihaveoftenhadall theapplausemyheartcoulddesire;butneverhaveIfeltsuchpleasureasIdidrecentlyatsomethingTacitussaid.HewasdescribinghowatthelastRaceshehadsatnexttoaRomanknightwhoengagedhiminconversationonseveral learnedsubjectsand thenasked if he came from Italy or the provinces. ‘You know me,’ saidTacitus, ‘from your reading.’ At which the man said, ‘Then are youTacitusorPliny?’Ican’ttellyouhowdelightedIamtohaveournamesassigned to literature as if they belonged there andnot to individuals,

and to learn that we are both known by our writing to people whowouldotherwisenothaveheardofus.

A similar thing happened to me a day or two ago. I had adistinguishedneighbouratdinner,FadiusRufinus,andonhisothersidewassomeonefromhisnativetownwhohadcometoRomeonhis firstvisitthatsameday.Pointingtome,Rufinussaidtohim,‘Doyouseemyfriend here?’ Then he spoke at length about my work, and the manexclaimed,‘ItmustbePliny!’

IconfessIfeelwellrewardedformylabours.IfDemostheneshadtherighttobepleasedwhentheoldwomanofAtticarecognizedhimwith

thewords’That’sDemosthenes!’1Imaysurelybegladwhenmynameiswell known. In fact I am glad and admit it. For I’m not afraid ofappearingtooboastfulwhenIhaveotherpeople’sopinionstoquoteandnot only my own, especially when talking to you; for you are neverenviousofanyone’sreputationandarealwaysfurtheringmine.

24.ToSabinianus

Youhavedonetherightthingintakingbackintoyourhomeandfavourthe freedman who was once dear to you, with my letter to mediatebetweenyouboth.Youwillbegladofthis,andIamcertainlyglad,firstbecause I see you are willing to be reasonable and take advice whenangry,andthenbecauseyouhavepaidmethetributeofbowingtomyauthority, or, if you prefer, granting my request. So accept mycompliments as well as my thanks, but, at the same time, a word ofadvice for the future: be ready to forgive the faults of yourhouseholdevenifthereisnoonetheretointercedeforthem.

25.ToPomponiusMamilianus

You grumble about being beset withmilitary affairs, and yet you canreadmybitsofnonsenseasifyouhadalltheleisureintheworld–youeven enjoy them, clamour for them, and are insistent that I producemorelikethem.IaminfactbeginningtothinkthatIcanlookformorethanmereamusementfromthiskindofwriting,andnowthatIhavetheopinionofonewhoisbothlearnedandserious,andaboveallsincere,Imayeventhinkoffame.

AtthemomentIhavesomelegalworktodo,notmuch,butenoughto occupy my time. When this is finished I will entrust somethinginspiredbythesameMusetoyourkindlycare.Ifyouthinkwellofmylittlesparrowsanddoves,astheydoofthemselves,letthemflyamongyoureagles;andifyoudon’t,pleaseshuttheminacageorkeepthemintheirnest.

26.ToLupercus

One of our contemporary orators is a sound and sober speaker whilelackingingrandeurandeloquence,sothatIthinkmycommentonhimhaspoint:hisonlyfaultisthatheisfaultless.

Theoratoroughtinfacttoberousedandheated,sometimeseventoboiling-point,andtolethisfeelingscarryhimontillhetreadstheedgeof a precipice; for a path along the heights and peaks often skirts thesheerdropbelow.Itmaybesafertokeeptotheplain,buttheroadlies

too low to be interesting.1 A runner risksmore falls than amanwhokeepstoasnail’space,buthewinspraiseinspiteofastumble,whereas

there isnocredit inwalkingwithouta fall.Eloquenceis in factoneofthe skills which gain most from the risks they run. You have seentightrope walkers and the applause they win as they move along thelength of the rope and everyminute look as though they are going tofall; for it is themostunexpectedanddangerous featswhichwinmostadmiration: ventures which the Greeks can define so well in a singleword.Consequently the couragedemandedof ahelmsman to steerhiscoursethroughastormyseaisquitedifferentfromwhatheneedswhentheseaiscalmandhereachesharbourunnoticed,tofindnopraiseandcongratulations awaiting him. It is when the sheets creak, the mastbends,and the ruddergroans thathe is coveredwithgloryand standsalmostequaltothegodsofthesea!

Iwrite as I do because I had an idea that you had criticized somepassages in my writings for being pompous, though I thought themsplendid,andwhatIimaginedtobeafulltreatmentofaboldenterpriseyou dismissed as redundant and exaggerated. But it is important todetermine whether you are attacking genuine faults or only strikingphrases;for,thoughanyonecanseewhatstandsoutabovetheaverage,it needs a keen judgement to decide whether this is extravagant anddisproportionate or lofty and sublime. Homer provides the bestexamples;noonecanfailtonotice(whateverhefeelsaboutthem)suchexpressions as ‘high heaven’s trumpet rang out’, ‘his spear rested on a

cloud’,and ‘neither the sea’sbreakers roar so loud’,2but theymustbeweighedwithcarebeforejudgingiftheyaremeaninglessphantasiesornoblecreationsofadivineinspiration.NotthatIthinkthatthesearethetimesand Iamtheperson tohavewrittenwords like these,nor that Ihave the ability todo so: I amnot so foolish.But Iwant tomake the

point that eloquence should be given its head, and the pace of geniusshouldnotbeconfinedwithintoonarrowaring.

You may say that orators are different from poets – as if indeedCicerolackeddaring!However,letusleaveoutCicero,sinceinhiscaseIthink there is no dispute. But there is surely no curb nor restraintholding back Demosthenes, the true model and exemplar of oratory,whenhedeliversthefamous‘Abominablemen,flatterersandevilspirits’and‘neitherwithstonesnorbricksdidIfortifythiscity’,andlater,‘Was

it not to make Euboea the bulwark of Attica on the seaward side?’1

Elsewhere he says ‘Formy part,men of Athens, by the gods I believe

thatPhilipisdrunkwiththemagnitudeofhisachievements’,2andtherecan hardly be anything bolder than the magnificent long digression

beginning‘Foradisease...’3Thefollowingpassagemaybeshorterbutisnolessdaring:“ThenwhenPythonswaggeredandpouredoutatorrent

ofabuseonus,Istoodfirm’;4andthisbearsthesamestamp:’Butwhenamanhasgrownstrong,asPhiliphas,byrapacityandcrime,thenthe

firstpretext,sometriflingslip,overthrowsandshattersall.’5Inthesamestyle are the expressions ‘Cordoned off from every right which holdssacred in the city’ and ‘You have thrown away their claim to pity,Aristogeiton,indeedyouhavedestroyeditonceandforall.Donotthenseek anchorage in harbours which you have yourself blocked up andfilledwithstakes.’Inthesamespeechhehadsaid‘ButIcannotseethatany one of these topics gives a sure foothold to the defendant; he hasnothing before him but precipices, gulfs, and pitfalls’, and also ‘I amafraid that to someyouwill appear tohave setupas a trainerof anycitizenwithatasteforwickedness’.Thereisalso ‘Icannotbelievethat

yourancestorsbuiltyoutheselawcourtsasahotbedforrascalsofthis

sort’and‘Ifheisajobbingdealer,apedlar,andretailerofwickedness‘,6

and innumerable such instances, not counting those which Aeschines

called‘notwordsbutwonders’.7

This is an argument on the wrong side, and you will retort thatDemosthenesisatfaultinthesamewayasyousayIam.Butyoumustsee howmuch greater he is than Aeschines, his critic, and greater intheseverypassages;hecanshowvigourelsewhere,butherehestandsout as sublime. Besides,wasAeschines himself free from the faults hefindsinDemosthenes?‘Foritisessential,menofAthens,thattheoratorandthelawshouldspeakthesamelanguage;butwhenthelawsaysonething, and the orator another…’ Elsewhere he says that “Then hedisplayshimselfasespeciallyconcernedwiththedecree’,andagain‘Butkeepwatchandlieinambushasyoulistentohim,sothatyoudrivehim

tokeepwithindielimitsofthechargeofillegality’,1andheissopleasedwiththismetaphorthatherepeatsit:‘Butasintheracetrack,drivehim

tokeeptotherelevantcourse.’2Norishisstyleanymorecontrolledandrestrained in this example: ‘But you reopenoldwounds, and aremoreconcernedwithtoday’sspeechesthanwiththewelfareoftheState’;andheaimshighwhenheasks: ‘Willyounotdismiss thismanasapublicmenace to Greece? Or arrest him as a pirate who infests politics bycruising around the State in his brig ofwords, and then bring him to

justice?’3

I amwaiting for you to strike out certain expressions in this letter(suchas ‘the rudder groans’ and ‘equal to the godsof the sea’) by thesameruleasyouattackthepassagesIamquoting;forIamwellaware

that in seeking indulgence formy past offences I have fallen into theveryerrorsyoucondemn.Strikethen–aslongasyouwill fixanearlydate for us to discuss both past and present in person. Then you canmakememorecautiousorIshallteachyoutobeventuresome.

27.ToPliniusPaternus

I have often been conscious of the powers of history, its dignity andmajesty and inspired authority, but never more so than on a recentoccasion. An author had begun a reading of a work of exceptionalcandour,andhadleftparttobereadanotherday.Upcamethefriendsof someone I won’t name, begging and praying him not to read theremainder;suchistheshamepeoplefeelathearingabouttheirconduct,thoughtheyfeltnoneatthetimeofdoingwhattheyblushtohear.Theauthorcompliedwiththeirrequest,ashecouldwelldowithoutlossofsincerity,butthebook,liketheirdeeds,remainsandwillremain;itwillalwaysberead,andallthemoreforthisdelay,forinformationwithheldonlysharpensmen’scuriositytohearit.

28.ToVoconiusRomanus

Yourlettershavereachedmeafteralongdelay,threeinfactatonce,allbeautifullyexpressed,warmlyaffectionate,andsuchasIoughttohavefrom you, especially when I had been waiting for them. In one youentrustmewiththeverywelcomecommissionofforwardingyourletter

totheaugustladyPlotina:1itshallbedone.ThesameletterintroducesPopiliusArtemisius.Icarriedouthisrequestatonce.Youalsosaythat

youhavehadapoorgrapeharvest,andIcanjoinyouinthiscomplaint,

althoughwelivesofarfromeachother.2

The second letter tells me you are setting down or dictating yourimpressionsofmyself.Thankyou–Iwouldthankyoumoreifyouhadbeenwillingformetoreadtheactualpagesastheyarefinished;asyouread my work, in common justice I should read yours, even whensomeoneelseisthesubject.Attheendyoupromisethat,onceyouhavesome definite news of my arrangements, you will escape from yourdomestic affairs and take refuge here with me, where I am alreadyforgingyoufetterswhichyouwillnevermanagetobreak.

Your third letter mentions that you have received my speech onbehalfofClariusandthoughtitseemedfullerthanwhenyouheardmedeliverit. It is fuller, forImadeseveraladditionsafterwards.Youthenwant to know if I have had the other letter you sent, which wascomposedwithspecialcare.No,Ihaven’t,andIcan’twaitforit.Sosenditassoonasyoucan,andpaymefull interest: Iwork itoutat twelveper cent per annum, and can’t be expected to let you offmore lightlythanthat.

29.ToFabius(?)Rusticus3

It is better to excel in one thing than do severalmoderatelywell, butmoderate skill in several things is better if you lack ability to excel inone. Bearing this in mind, I have tried my hand at various styles ofcompositionasIhaveneverfeltconfidentinanyone.Sowhenyoureadanything of mine you must be indulgent to each style I use in

considerationofitsnotbeingmyonlyone;quantityisanexcuseforlackof quality in the other arts, sowhy should there be a harsher law forliteraturewheresuccessisevenmoredifficult?ButImustn’ttalkaboutindulgence as if Iwere ungrateful – if you receivemy latest efforts askindlyasyoudidmyearlierworkIshouldbelookingforpraiseratherthanbeggingindulgence,thoughthiswouldbeenough.

30.ToRosianusGeminus

IhaveoftenheardyoupraiseyourfriendNoniusinperson,asyoudoinyour last letter, forhisgenerosity tocertainpeople,and Iwilladdmyownpraisesifhisgenerosityisnotconfinedtotheseindividualcases.Ishould like to see the truly generous man giving to his country,neighbours, relatives, and friends, but by them I mean his friendswithoutmeans;unlike thepeoplewhobestow theirgiftson thosebestable to make a return. Such persons do not seem tome to part withanythingoftheirown,butusetheirgiftsasbaitstohookotherpeople’spossessions.Other smart characters roboneperson to give to another,hoping their rapacitywillbring themareputation forgenerousgiving.Butthefirstessentialistobecontentwithyourownlot,thesecondtosupportandassistthoseyouknowtobemostinneed,embracingthemallwithinthecircleofyourfriendship.

Ifyourfriendcanachieveallthisheiswhollytobepraised,ifpartonlyheisstillpraiseworthyinalesserdegree;sofewinstancesarethereevenofpartialgenerosity.Greedforownershiphastakensuchaholdofusthatweseemtobepossessedbywealthratherthantopossessit.

31.ToSardus

Iamstillenjoyingyourcompanyasmuchasbeforeweparted,forIhavebeen reading your book, and, to be honest, rereading again and againthepassagesaboutmyself,whereyouhave indeedbeeneloquent!Thewealthofyourmaterialandvarietyoftreatment,andtheskillwherebyyou avoid repetition without loss of consistency, makes me wonderwhether I should mingle congratulations with my thanks. I can doneither adequately, and if I could I should be afraid it would lookconceitedtocongratulateyouontheverythingforwhichIamthankingyou.Iwillonlyaddthatmypleasureinyourworkincreaseditsmeritforme,whileitsmeritaddedtomypleasure.

32.ToCorneliusTitianus

Whatareyoudoing,andwhatareyourplans?Asforme,fanenjoyinglifetothefull,whichmeansIamthoroughlyidle.ConsequentlyIcan’tbebotheredwithwritinglongerlettersinmypamperedstate,thoughIshouldwelcomesome to read inmy idlehours.Noone is so lazyasapamperedman,andnothingsoinquisitiveasamanwithnothingtodo.

33.ToCaniniusRufus1

I have come across a true story which sounds very like fable, and soought to be a suitable subject for your abundant talent to raise to theheights of poetry. I heard it over the dinner table when variousmarvelloustaleswerebeingcirculated,andIhaditongoodauthority–

though I know that doesn’t really interest poets. However, it was onewhichevenahistorianmightwellhavetrusted.

TheRomantownofHippo2issituatedonthecoastofAfrica.Nearbyisanavigablelagoon,withanestuarylikeariverleadingfromitwhichflowsintotheseaorbackintothelagoonaccordingtotheebbandflowof the tide. People of all ages spend their time here to enjoy thepleasures of fishing, boating and swimming, especially the boys whohaveplentyoftimetoplay.Itisaboldfeatwiththemtoswimoutintodeepwater, the winner being the one who has left the shore and hisfellow-swimmers farthest behind. In one of these races a particularlyadventurousboywentfartheroutthantherest.Adolphinmethimandswamnowinfront,nowbehindhim,thenplayedroundhim,andfinallydivedtotakehimonitsback,thenputhimoff,tookhimonagain,andfirst carried him terrified out to sea, then turned to the shore andbroughthimbacktolandandhiscompanions.

Thetalespreadthroughthetown;everyoneranuptostareattheboyas a prodigy, ask to hear his story and repeat it. The following daycrowdsthrongedtheshore,watchedthesea,andanythinglikethesea,whiletheboysbegantoswimout,amongstthemthesameboy,butthistimemorecautious.Thedolphinpunctuallyreappearedandapproachedthe boy again, but hemade off with the rest.Meanwhile the dolphinjumpedanddived,coiledanduncoileditselfincirclesasifinvitingandcallinghimback.Thiswasrepeatedthenextday,thedayafter,andonseveral more occasions, until these people, who are bred to the sea,began to be ashamed of their fears. Theywent up to the dolphin andplayed with it, called it, and even touched and stroked it when they

found it didnot object, and their daring increasedwith experience. Inparticular theboywho firstmet it swamupwhen itwas in thewater,climbed on its back, andwas carried out to sea and brought back; hebelieveditknewandlovedhim,andhelovedit.Neitherwasfearednorafraid, and the one grew more confident as the other became tamer.Some of the other boys used to go with him on either side, shoutingencouragementandwarnings,andwithitswamanotherdolphin(whichisalsoremarkable),butonlytolookonandescorttheother,foritdidnot perform the same feats nor allow the same familiarities, but onlyaccompanied its fellow to shore and out to sea as the boys did theirfriend.Itishardtobelieve,butastrueastherestofthestory,thatthedolphinwhocarriedandplayedwiththeboyswouldevencomeoutontotheshore,dryitselfinthesand,androllbackintotheseawhenitfelthot.

Then, as is generally known, the governor Octavius Avitus wasmoved by some misguided superstition to pour scented oil on thedolphinasitlayontheshore,andthestrangesensationandsmellmadeit take refuge in theopen sea. It didnot reappear formanydays, andthenseemedlistlessanddejected;butasitregainedstrengthitreturnedto its formerplayfulnessandusual tricks.All the localofficialsusedtogathertoseethesight,andtheirarrivaltostayinthelittletownbegantoburdenitwithextraexpense,until finallytheplaceitselfwaslosingitscharacterofpeaceandquiet. Itwas thendecided that theobjectofthepublic’sinterestshouldbequietlydestroyed.

I can imagine how sadly you will lament this ending and howeloquentlyyouwillenrichandadornthistale–thoughthereisnoneed

foryoutoaddanyfictitiousdetails;itwillbeenoughifthetruthistoldinfull.

34.ToSuetoniusTranquillus

Pleasesettlemydoubts.IamtoldthatIreadbadly–ImeanwhenIreadverse, for Icanmanagespeeches, though this seems tomakemyversereadingalltheworse.So,asIamplanningtogiveaninformalreadingtomypersonalfriends,Iamthinkingofmakinguseofoneofmyfreedmen.This is certainly treating them informally, as theman Ihavechosen isnotreallyagoodreader,butIthinkhewilldobetterthanIcanaslongasheisnotnervous.(Heis infactasinexperiencedareaderasIamapoet)Now, I don’t knowwhat I am to domyselfwhile he is reading,whetherIamtositstillandsilentlikeamerespectator,ordoassomepeopleandaccompanyhiswordswithlips,eye,andgesture.ButIdon’tbelieveIamanybetteratmimethatatreadingaloud.Oncemore,then,settle my doubts and give me a straight answer whether it would bebettertoreadmyself,howeverbadly,thantodoorleaveundonewhatIhavejustsaid.

35.ToAtrius(?)

I have received the book you sent, forwhichmany thanks. I am verybusy justnow,soIhaven’tread ityet inspiteofmyimpatience.But Ihold literature in general and yourwritings in particular in such highregardthatIshouldfeelitsacrilegetohandlethem,unlessIcouldgivemyundividedattention.

Iverymuchapproveofthetroubleyoutakeoverrevisingyourwork,but there should be a limit to this; first because toomuch applicationblurs the outline instead of improving the details, and then because itdistractsusfrommorerecentsubjectsandpreventsusfromstartingonnewworkandalsofromfinishingofftheold.

36.ToFuscusSalinator

Youwant to knowhow I plan the summerdays I spend inTuscany. IwakewhenIlike,usuallyaboutsunrise,oftenearlierbutrarelylater.Myshutters stay closed, for in the stillness and darkness I feel myselfsurprisingly detached from any distractions and left to myself infreedom;my eyes do not determine the direction ofmy thinking, but,beingunabletoseeanything,theyareguidedtovisualizemythoughts.If I have anything on hand I work it out in my head, choosing andcorrectingthewording,andtheamountIachievedependsontheeaseordifficulty with whichmy thoughts can be marshalled and kept in myhead. Then I callmy secretary, the shutters are opened, and I dictatewhatIhaveputintoshape;hegoesout,isrecalled,andagaindismissed.ThreeorfourhoursafterIfirstwake(butIdon’tkeeptofixedtimes)Ibetake myself according to the weather either to the terrace or thecoveredarcade,workouttherestofmysubject,anddictateit.Igoforadrive, and spend the time in the sameway aswhenwalking or lyingdown;mypowersofconcentrationdonotflagandareinfactrefreshedby the change.Aftera short sleepandanotherwalk I readaGreekorLatinspeechaloudandwithemphasis,notsomuchforthesakeofmyvoiceasmydigestion, thoughof coursebothare strengthenedby this.

ThenIhaveanotherwalk,amoiled,takeexercise,andhaveabath.IfIamdiningalonewithmywifeorwithafewfriends,abookisreadaloudduring themeal andafterwardswe listen to a comedyor somemusic;thenIwalkagainwiththemembersofmyhousehold,someofwhomarewelleducated.Thustheeveningisprolongedwithvariedconversation,and,evenwhenthedaysareattheirlongest,comestoasatisfyingend.

SometimesIvarythisroutine,for,ifIhavespentalongtimeonmycouch or taking a walk, after my siesta and reading I go out onhorsebackinsteadofinacarriagesoastobequickerandtakelesstime.Partof theday is givenup to friendswhovisitme fromneighbouringtowns, and sometimes come to my aid with a welcome interruptionwhen I am tired. Occasionally I go hunting, but not without mynotebookssothatIshallhavesomethingtobringhomeevenif Icatchnothing. I also give some, time tomy tenants (they think it shouldbemore) and the boorishness of their complaints gives fresh zest to ourliteraryinterestsandthemorecivilizedpursuitsoftown.

37.ToValeriusPaulinas

It isnotyournaturetodemandtheconventional formalities fromyourpersonal friendswhen theyare likely tobe inconvenienced,and I loveyou too surely to fear youwillmisinterpretmy intentions if I am notpresent when you take up your consulship on the first of the month;especiallywhenImuststayheretoarrangeforlettingmyfarmsonlongleasesandIshallhavetoadoptanewsystemfor this.Duringthepastfiveyears,despite the largereductions Imade in therents, thearrearshave increasedandasaresultmostofmytenantshave lost interest in

reducingtheirdebtbecausetheyhavenohopeofbeingabletopayoffthewhole;theyevenseizeandconsumetheproduceofthelandinthebeliefthattheywillgainnothingthemselvesbyconservingit.

Imustthereforefacethisgrowingevilandfindaremedy.Onewaywouldbetoletthefarmsnotforamoneyrentbutforafixedshareofthe produce, and thenmake some ofmy servants overseers to keep awatchontheharvest.Thereiscertainlynomorejustreturnthanwhatiswon fromthe soil, climateandseasons,but thismethodrequires stricthonesty,keeneyes,andmanypairsofhands.However,Imustmaketheexperiment and try all possible changes of remedy for an obstinatecomplaint.

Youseethatitisnotpureselfishnessonmypartwhichpreventsmyattendingyouonthefirstdayofyourconsulship,andIshallcelebrateitherewithprayers,rejoicingandcongratulationsasifIwerewithyou.

38.ToPompeiusSatuminus

I do indeed congratulate Rufus, not at your request but because hemeritspraise.Ihavereadhisbook,afinishedperformanceineveryway,mypleasureinwhichwasmuchincreasedbymyaffectionforitsauthor.Ididhoweverreaditcritically;forcriticismisnotconfinedtothosewhoreadonlytofindfault.

39.ToMustius

I am told by the soothsayers that I must rebuild the temple of Cereswhichstandsonmyproperty;itneedsenlargingandimproving,foritis

certainly very old and too small considering how crowded it is on its

special anniversary, when great crowds gather there from the wholedistricton13Septemberandmanyceremoniesareperformedandvowsmadeanddischarged.Butthereisnoshelternearbyfromrainorsun,soI think itwillbeanactofgenerosityandpietyaliketobuildas fineatempleasIcanandaddporticoes–thetempleforthegoddessandtheporticoesforthepublic.

Will you then please buy me four marble columns, any kind youthink suitable, andmarble for improving the floor and walls; and weshallalsohavetohavemadeastatueofthegoddess,forseveralpiecesare broken off the original wooden one as it is so old. As for theporticoes, at the moment I can’t think of anything I want from you,unlessyouwilldrawmeaplansuitablefortheposition.Theycannotbebuiltroundthetemple,forthesitehasariverwithsteepbanksononeside and a road on the other. On the far side of the road is a largemeadowwheretheymightquitewellstandfacingthetemple;unlessyoucan think of a better solution from your professional experience ofovercomingdifficultiesofterrain.

40.ToFuscusSalinator

Yousayyouweredelightedwithmy letterdescribinghowI spendmysummerholidaysinTuscany,andyouwanttoknowwhatchangeImakeat Laurentum in winter. None, except that I cut out my siesta andshortenmynightsagooddealbyusingthehoursbeforedawnoraftersunset;and,ifIhaveanurgentcasepending,asoftenhappensinwinter,insteadofhavingcomedyormusicafterdinnerIworkagainandagain

over what I have dictated, and so fix it in my memory by repeatedrevision.

Now that you havemy habits in summer andwinter you can addspringandautumn,theintermediateseasons,duringwhichnoneofthedayiswastedandsoverylittleisstolenfromthenight.

BOOKTEN

1.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Your filial feelings, august Emperor, prompted your desire to succeedyour father at the latestpossiblemoment,but the immortal godshavehastened to put our country in your hands, a task to which you hadalready been assigned. Therefore I pray that you, and through you allmankind, may enjoy every prosperity, as befits your reign; and as anindividualnolessthanasanofficial,nobleEmperor,Iwishyouhealthandhappiness.

2.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Ihavenowordstotellyou,Sir,howmuchpleasureyouhavegivenmebythinkingmefitfortheprivilegesgrantedtoparentsofthreechildren.I know that you have granted this at the request of yourworthy anddevotedservantJuliusServianus,butfromthewordingofyourdecisionIunderstandthatyouwerethemorewillingtodosoashispetitionwasonmybehalf.Foryoutothinkmeworthyofyourpersonalfavourattheopeningofyourauspiciousreignistherealizationofmyhighesthopes.StillmorenowdoIlongforchildrenofmyown,thoughIwantedthemevenduringthoseevildaysnowpast,asyoumayknowfrommyhaving

married twice. The gods knew better when they reserved my goodfortunewhollyforyourgenerosity.NowisthetimeIwouldwishtobeafather,whenmyhappinessneedknownofear.

3a.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Whenthekindinterestofyourfatherandyourself,Sir,promotedmetotake charge of the Treasury of Saturn, I gave up my practice in thecourts (though I had never taken on cases indiscriminately) so that Icouldbefreetogivemywholeattentiontothedutiesassignedme.Thuswhen the province of Africa askedme to act for them againstMarius

Priscus,1 I begged to be excused the honour, and my excuse wasaccepted. Subsequently the consul-elect proposed that those of uswhohad been granted exemption should be prevailed on to remain at theSenate’sdisposaland topermitournames tobe included in theballotfor advocates. I then thought I should best accord with the peacefulatmosphere of your reign if I did not oppose that distinguished body,especiallywhentheyweresoreasonableintheirrequest.Itrustthatyouwill thinkmy obediencewas correct, for I am anxious for everywordanddeedofminetoreceivethesanctionofyoursupremeauthority.

3b.TrajantoPliny

YouhaveactedrightlybothasacitizenandasamemberoftheSenateinobeying the justdemandsof thatdistinguishedbody,and Iamsurethat you will perform the duties you have undertaken in accordancewiththetrustplacedinyou.

4.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Yourkindness,nobleEmperor,ofwhichIhavefullpersonalexperience,encouragesmetoventuretoaskyoutoextendittomyfriends,amongstwhomVoconiusRomanushasthehighestclaim.Hehasbeenmyfriendfrom our early years when we were at school together, and for thisreason I petitioned your late father, the Emperor, to raise him to thedignityofsenatorialrank.However,Iawaityourgenerosityformywishto be granted; for, although Romanus’s mother had written to yourfathertostatethatshewasmakingagiftoffourmillionsestercestoherson,shehadfailedtocompletethelegalformalities.Shehassincedonesoafterareminderfromme,hastransferredsomepropertytohim,andcompletedthenecessaryformsfortheconveyance.

Nowthat theobstacle toourhopes isremoved, Icanvouchfor thecharacterofmy friendRomanuswithcompleteconfidence,acharactersignalizedbyhiscultivated interestsandthedevotiontohisparents towhichheowesthisgiftfromhismother,aswellashisinheritancefromhisfathersoonafterwardsandhisadoptionbyhisstepfather.Hecomes,moreover, from a distinguished family, and his father was a wealthyman.InadditiontothisItrustthatmyownpleaonhisbehalfwillbeafurther recommendation to your kind interest. I pray you then, Sir, toenable me to congratulate Romanus as I so much wish to do, and togratifywhat Ihope isaworthyaffection. Icanthenbeproudto thinkthatyourrecognitionofmyselfextendstomyfriend.

5.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

WhenIwasseriouslyill lastyear,Sir,andinsomedangerofmylife,Icalled in a medical therapist whose care and attentiveness I cannotadequatelyrewardwithoutthehelpofyourkindinterest intheman. Ipray you therefore to grant him Roman citizenship. He is a residentalien,Arpocrasbyname,andwasgivenhisfreedombyhismistress,alsoalien.ShewasThermuthis,wifeofTheon,anddiedsometimeago.IalsoprayyoutograntfullRomancitizenshiptoHediaandAntoniaHarmeris,thefreedwomenofthenobleladyAntoniaMaximilla.ItisatherdesirethatImaketherequest.

6.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Thankyou,Sir, foryourpromptitudeingrantingfullcitizenshiptothefreedwomen of my friend Antonia, and Roman citizenship to mytherapist Arpocras. But when I was supplying his age and propertyaccording to your instructions, I was reminded by people moreexperiencedthanIamthat,sincethemanisanEgyptian,IoughtnottohaveaskedforRomancitizenshipforhimbeforehebecameacitizenofAlexandria. I had not realized that there was any distinction betweenEgyptiansandotheraliens,soIhadthought itsufficientto informyouonlythathehadbeengivenhisfreedombyanalienandthathispatronhaddiedsometimeago.IshallnotregretmyignoranceifitmeansthatIcanbefurtherindebtedtoyouonbehalfofthesameperson;IprayyouthereforetomakehimacitizenofAlexandriatoosothatImaylawfullyenjoy the favour you have conferred. To prevent any further delay toyourgenerousinterestIhavegiventhedetailsofhisageandpropertytoyourfreedmen,asinstructed.

7.TrajantoPliny

Following the rule of my predecessors, I do not intend to grantAlexandriancitizenshipexceptinspecialcases;butasyouhavealreadyobtained Roman citizenship for your medical therapist Arpocras, Icannot refuse this further request. You must inform me of the man’sdistrict so that I canwriteyoua letter formy friendPompeiusPlanta,theprefectofEgypt.

8.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Yourlatefather,Sir,thedeifiedEmperor,hadencouragedliberalgivingamong his subjects in his fine public speeches and by his own nobleexample. I therefore sought his permission to transfer to the town ofTifernumthestatuesofformerEmperorswhichIhadinheritedthroughvarious bequests and had kept as I received them onmy estate somedistanceaway;IalsoaskedifImightaddtothemastatueofhimself.Hehad given his permissionwith his full approval. I had thenwritten atoncetothetowncounciltoaskthemtoallocatemeasitewhereIcould

set up a temple1 at my own expense, and they had honoured myproposal by leaving the choice of a site to me. But first my own ill-health,thenyourfather’sillness,andsubsequentlytheresponsibilitiesofthe post you have both assignedme, have caused delays, so that thisseemsthefirstconvenientopportunityformetogothereinperson.MymonthondutyfinishedattheendofAugust,andthereareagreatmanypublicholidaysinSeptember.

Iprayyou then first topermitme toaddyour statue to theothers

whichwilladornthetempleIproposetobuild,thentograntmeleaveofabsence so that it canbebuiltas soonaspossible.But I should fail insincerity if I concealed from your kindness the fact that my personalaffairs will incidentally benefit very much. The farms I own in thedistrict bring in more than 400,000 sesterces, and I cannot postponelettingthem,especiallyasthenewtenantsshouldbetheretoseetothepruningofthevines,andthismustbedonesoon.Moreover,theseriesofbadharvestswehavehadareforcingmetoconsiderreducingrents,andIcannotcalculatetheseunlessIamonthespot.

If then,Sir,youwillgrantmethirtydays’ leaveofabsenceonbothaccounts, I shall be indebted to your generosity both for the speedyaccomplishment of my act of loyalty and the setting in order of myprivateaffairs.Icannotmanagewithlessthanamonth,asthetownandfarmsIamtalkingaboutaremorethan150milesfromRome.

9.TrajantoPliny

Youhavegivenmemanyreasons,aswellaseveryofficialexplanation,for your application for leave of absence, though I should have beensatisfiedwith themere expression of yourwishes. I do not doubt thatyouwillreturnassoonaspossibletoyourexactingofficialduties.

Youhavemypermission to setupmystatue in theplaceyouhavechosen for it; I am generally very reluctant to accept honours of thiskind, but I do notwish it to seem that I have put any check on yourloyalfeelingstowardsme.

10.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Words cannot expressmygratitude, Sir, for your letter tellingme thatyou have given my therapist Arpocras the additional grant ofAlexandriancitizenship,althoughyouhadintendedtofollowtheruleofyour predecessors and grant it only in special cases. His district isMemphis.Iprayyouthen,graciousEmperor,tosendmeyourpromisedlettertoPompeiusPlanta,theprefectofEgypt.

I hope to meet you, Sir, to enjoy the sooner the pleasure of your

return1whichiseagerlyawaitedhere;IbegyourpermissiontojoinyouasfaroutfromRomeasIcango.

11.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

My recent illness, Sir, put me under an obligation to my doctor,PostumiusMarinus,towhomIcanmakeanadequatereturnwithyourhelp,ifyouwillgrantmypetitionwithyourusualkindness.Iprayyoutherefore to confer citizenship on his relatives, Chrysippus, son ofMithridates, and on Stratonice, wife of Chrysippus, daughter ofEpigonus,andonChrysippus’stwosons,EpigonusandMithridates,withthe privilege of retaining the rights of a patron over their freedmen,while remaining under their father’s authority. I pray you further togrant full Roman citizenship to Lucius Satrius Abascantus, PubliusCaesius Phosphorus, and Pancharia Soteris; I make this request at thedesireoftheirpatrons.

12.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Iknow,Sir,thatmypetitionsarenotforgotten,foryourmemorynever

letsanopportunitypassfordoinggood.Butasyouhavehithertoshown

meindulgence,mayIremindyouandatthesametimeaddurgencytomy request that you honour Attius Sura with a praetorship now thatthere is avacancy?This ishisonlyambition, and it is fosteredby thedistinction of his family, his honourable conduct in times of poverty,and,aboveall,bythehappinessofyourreignwhichencouragesanyofyoursubjectswhoknowtheirownmerittohopethattheymaybenefitbyyourkindinterest.

13.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Iamwellaware,Sir,thatnohighertributecanbepaidtomyreputationthan somemarkof favour from soexcellent a ruler asyourself. I prayyou, therefore, to add to the honours towhich I have been raised by

your kindness by granting me a priesthood, either that of augur1 ormember of the septemvirate as there is a vacancy in both orders. ByvirtueofmypriesthoodIcouldthenaddofficialprayersonyourbehalftothoseIalreadyofferinprivateasaloyalcitizen.

14.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

MayIcongratulateyou,nobleEmperor, inyourownnameandthatof

the State, on a great and glorious victory2 in the finest tradition ofRome? Ipray thegods togrant thatallyourdesignsmeetwithsuchahappy issue, and that the glory of your Empire be renewed andenhancedbyyouroutstandingvirtues.

*

15.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

I feel sure,Sir, thatyouwillbe interested tohear that Ihaverounded

CapeMalea3andarrivedatEphesuswithmycompletestaff,afterbeingdelayed by contrary winds. My intention now is to travel on to myprovincepartlybycoastalboatandpartlybycarriage.TheintenseheatpreventsmytravellingentirelybyroadandtheprevailingEtesianwindsmakeitimpossibletogoallthewaybysea.

16.TrajantoPliny

Youdidwelltosendmenews,mydearPliny,forIammuchinterestedtoknowwhatsortofjourneyyouarehavingtoyourprovince.Youarewise to adapt yourself to local conditions and travel either by boat orcarriage.

17a.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Ikept inexcellenthealth,Sir, throughoutmyvoyage toEphesus,but IfoundtheintenseheatverytryingwhenIstartedtotravelbyroadanddevelopedatouchof feverwhichkeptmeatPergamum.Then,whenIhad resumed my journey by coastal boat, I was further delayed by

contrarywinds, so that Ididnot reachBithyniauntil17September1. Ihadhopedtoarriveearlier,butIcannotcomplainofthedelayasIwasintimetocelebrateyourbirthdayinmyprovince,andthisshouldbeagoodomen.

IamnowexaminingthefinancesofthetownofPrusa,expenditure,

revenues, and sums owing, and finding the inspection increasinglynecessarythemoreI lookintotheiraccounts; largesumsofmoneyaredetained in the hands of private individuals for various reasons, andfurther sums are paid out for quite illegal purposes. I amwriting thisletter,Sir,immediatelyaftermyarrivalhere.

17b.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Ienteredmyprovince,Sir,on17September,andfoundtherethespiritofobedienceandloyaltywhichisyourjusttributefrommankind.

Willyouconsider,Sir,whetheryouthinkitnecessarytosendoutaland surveyor?Substantial sumsofmoneycould, I think,be recoveredfromcontractorsofpublicworksifwehaddependablesurveysmade.IamconvincedofthisbytheaccountsofPrusa,whichIamhandlingwithallpossiblecare.

18.TrajantoPliny

IwishyoucouldhavereachedBithyniawithoutanyillnessyourselforinyourparty,andthatyourjourneyfromEphesushadbeenaseasyasyourvoyagethere.ThedateofyourarrivalinBithynia,mydearPliny,Ihavenotedfromyour letter.Thepeopletherewillappreciate, I think, thatIam acting in their own interests, and you toowill see that it ismadeclear to them that youwere chosen asmy representative for a specialmission.Your first taskmust be to inspect the accounts of the varioustowns,astheyareevidentlyinconfusion.

Asforlandsurveyors,Ihavescarcelyenoughforthepublicworksin

progress in Rome or in the neighbourhood, but there are reliable

surveyorstobefoundineveryprovinceandnodoubtyouwillnotlackassistanceifyouwilltakethetroubletolookforit.

19.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

I pray you, Sir, to advise me on the following point. I am doubtfulwhetherIoughttocontinueusingthepublicslavesinthevarioustownsas prisonwarders, as hitherto, or to put soldiers on guard-duty in theprisons. I am afraid that the public slaves are not sufficiently reliable,butontheotherhandthiswouldtakeupthetimeofquiteanumberofsoldiers. For themoment Ihaveputa few soldiersonguardalongsidetheslaves,butIcanseethatthereisadangerofthisleadingtoneglectofdutyonbothsides,wheneachcanthrowtheblameontheotherforafaulttheymaybothhavecommitted.

20.TrajantoPliny

There isnoneed,mydearPliny, formoresoldiers tobe transferred toguard-duty in the prisons. We should continue the custom of theprovinceandusepublic slavesaswarders.Their reliabilitydependsonyourwatchfulness and discipline. For, as you say in your letter, ifwemix soldierswithpublic slaves the chief danger is that both sideswillbecomecarelessbyrelyingoneachother.Letusalsokeeptothegeneralrule thatas fewsoldiersaspossible shouldbecalledaway fromactiveservice.

21.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

GaviusBassus,Sir,theprefectofthePonticShore,hascalledonmewithdueceremonyand respect, andhasbeenhere severaldays.As faras Icouldjudgeheisanexcellentmanwhomeritsyourkindinterest.Itoldhimthatyouhadgivenordersthathemustlimithimselftotenpickedsoldiers,twomountedsoldiers,andonecenturionfromthetroopswhichyouhadassignedtome.Herepliedthatthisnumberwasinsufficientandthathewouldwritetoyouhimself;soIthoughtitbestnottorecallforthepresentthesoldiershehasinexcessofthatnumber.

22.TrajantoPliny

IhavealsoheardfromGaviusBassusdirectthatthenumberofsoldiersassignedhimbymyorderwasinadequate.Ihaveorderedacopyofmyanswer to him to be sent with this letter for your information. It isimportant to distinguish between the needs of a situation and thelikelihood of his wishing to extend his privileges because of it. Thepublic interest must be our sole concern, and as far as possible weshouldkeeptotherulethatsoldiersmustnotbewithdrawnfromactiveservice.

23.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

ThepublicbathatPrusa,Sir,isoldanddilapidated,andthepeoplearevery anxious for it to be rebuilt. My own opinion is that you couldsuitablygranttheirpetition.Therewillbemoneyavailableforbuildingit, first fromthesumsIhavebeguntocall in fromprivate individuals,andsecondlybecause thepeopleareprepared toapply tobuilding the

baththegrantstheyusuallymaketowardsfinancingthedistributionof

olive oil. This is, moreover, a scheme which is worthy of the town’sprestigeandthesplendourofyourreign.

24.TrajantoPliny

IfbuildinganewbathatPrusawillnotstrainthecity’sfinances,thereisnoreasonwhyweshouldnotgranttheirpetition;providedthatnonewtax is imposed and there is no further diversion of funds of theirsintendedforessentialservices.

25.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

My assistant, Servilius Pudens, Sir, arrived in Nicomedia on 24November,tomygreatreliefasIhadlongbeenexpectinghim.

26.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Asaresultofyourgenerositytome,Sir,RosianusGeminusbecameoneofmyclosestfriends;forwhenIwasconsulhewasmyquaestor.

Ialwaysfoundhimdevotedtomyinterests,andeversincethenhehastreatedmewiththegreatestdeferenceandincreasedthewarmthofourpublic relationsbymanypersonal services. I thereforeprayyou togiveyourpersonalattentiontomyrequest forhisadvancement; ifyouplaceanyconfidenceinmyadviceyouwillbestowonhimyourfavour.Hewill not fail to earn further promotion inwhatever post you placehim. I am sparing in my praises because I trust that his sincerity,integrityandapplicationarewellknown toyoualready from thehigh

officeshehasheldinRomebeneathyourowneyes,aswellasfromhisserviceinthearmyunderyourcommand.

IstillfeelthatIhavenotgivenadequateexpressiontothewarmthofmyaffection,andsooncemoreIprayyou,Sir,mosturgently,topermitmetorejoiceassoonaspossibleintheduepromotionofmyquaestor–thatistosay,inmyownadvancementinhisperson.

27.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Your freedman and procurator Maximus, assures me, Sir, that he toomusthave six soldiers, in addition to the tenpickedmenwhom Ihadassigned inaccordancewithyour instructions, to thatexcellentofficialGemellinus.IthoughtitbesttoleavehimmeanwhilethesoldiersIfoundinhisservice,especiallyashewas justsettingouttocollectcornfromPaphlagonia,andathisrequestIalsogavehimtwomountedsoldiersasanescort.Iprayyoutoletmeknowyourinstructionsforthefuture.

28.TrajantoPliny

YoudidquiterighttosupplymyfreedmanMaximuswithsoldiersforhispresent requirements,whenhewas settingout toprocure corn and soactingonaspecialmission.Whenhehasreturnedtohisformerpostthetwosoldiersyouhaveassignedhimshouldbeenough,plusanothertwofromVirdiusGemellinus,theprocuratorunderwhomheserves.

29.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Sempronius Caelianus,who is an excellent youngman, has discovered

twoslavesamonghisrecruitsandhassentthemtome.Ihavepostponedjudgement on themuntil I could ask your advice onwhatwouldbe asuitable sentence, knowing that you are the founder and upholder ofmilitarydiscipline.Mychiefreasonforhesitatingisthefactthatthemenhadalreadytakentheoathofallegiancebuthadnotyetbeenenrolledina unit. I therefore pray you, Sir, to tell me what course to follow,especiallyasthedecisionislikelytoprovideaprecedent.

30.TrajantoPliny

SemproniusCaelianuswascarryingoutmy instructions in sendingyouthe slaves. Whether they deserve capital punishment will needinvestigation; it is important to know if they were volunteers orconscripts,orpossiblyofferedassubstitutes.Iftheyareconscripts,thentheblame falls on the recruiting officer; if substitutes, then thosewhoofferedthemassuchareguilty;butiftheyvolunteeredforservice,wellawareof theirstatus, thentheywillhavetobeexecuted.Thefact thattheywerenotyetenrolledinalegionisimmaterial,forthetruthabouttheiroriginshouldhavecomeoutontheactualdaytheywereacceptedforthearmy.

31.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Youmaystoopwhennecessary,Sir,togiveeartomyproblems,withoutprejudicetoyoureminentposition,seeingthatIhaveyourauthoritytorefertoyouwhenindoubt.

In several cities, notably Nicomedia and Nicaea, there are people

whowere sentenced to service in themines or the arena, or to other

similarpunishments,butarenowperformingthedutiesofpublicslavesandreceivinganannualsalaryfortheirwork.SincethiswastoldmeIhavelongbeendebatingwhattodo.Ifeltitwastoohardonthementosendthembacktoworkouttheirsentencesafteralapseofmanyyears,when most of them are old by now, and by all accounts are quietlyleadinghonestlives,butIdidnotthinkitquiterighttoretaincriminalsinpublicservice;andthoughIrealizedtherewasnothingtobegainedby supporting thesemen at public expense if they did notwork, theymightbeapotentialdanger if theywere left to starve. Iwas thereforeobliged to leave the whole question in suspense until I could consultyou.

Youmayperhapswanttoknowhowtheycametobereleasedfromthesentencespassedonthem.Iaskedthisquestionmyself,butreceivedno satisfactory answer to give you, and although the records of theirsentences were produced, there were no documents to prove theirrelease. But people have stated on their behalf that they had beenreleasedbyorderofthepreviousgovernorsortheirdeputies,andthisisconfirmedbytheunlikelihoodthatanyunauthorizedpersonwouldtakethisresponsibility.

32.TrajantoPliny

Letusnotforgetthatthechiefreasonforsendingyoutoyourprovincewastheevidentneedformanyreforms.Nothinginfactstandsmoreinreed of correction than the situation described in your letter, wherecriminalsundersentencehavenotonlybeenreleasedwithoutauthority

butareactually restored to the statusofhonestofficials.Thoseamongthemwhoweresentencedwithinthelasttenyearsandwerereleasedbyno proper authority must therefore be sent back to work out theirsentences. But if the men are elderly and have sentences dating backfartherthantenyears,theycanbeemployedinworkofapenalnature,cleaningpublicbathsandsewers,orrepairingstreetsandhighways,theusualemploymentformenofthistype.

33.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

While I was visiting another part of the province, a widespread firebrokeout inNicomediawhichdestroyedmanyprivatehousesandalsotwo public buildings (the Elder Citizens’ Club and the Temple of Isis)althougharoadrunsbetweenthem.Itwasfannedbythestrongbreezeintheearlystages,butitwouldnothavespreadsofarbutfortheapathyofthepopulace;foritisgenerallyagreedthatpeoplestoodwatchingthedisasterwithout bestirring themselves to do anything to stop it. Apartfromthis,thereisnotasinglefireengineanywhereinthetown,notabucketnoranyapparatusforfightingafire.Thesewillnowbeprovidedonmyinstructions.

Will you, Sir, consider whether you think a company of firemenmightbeformed,limitedto150members?Iwillseethatnooneshallbeadmittedwhoisnotgenuinelyafireman,andthattheprivilegesgrantedshallnotbeabused: itwillnotbedifficult tokeepsuchsmallnumbersunderobservation.

34.TrajantoPliny

Youmaywell have had the idea that it should be possible to form acompany of firemen at Nicomedia on the model of those existingelsewhere, butwemust remember that it is societies like thesewhichhave been responsible for the political disturbances in your province,particularly in its towns. If people assemble for a common purpose,whatevernamewegive themand forwhatever reason, they soon turnintoapoliticalclub.Itisabetterpolicythentoprovidetheequipmentnecessaryfordealingwithfires,andtoinstructpropertyownerstomakeuseof it,callingonthehelpofthecrowdswhichcollect if theyfinditnecessary.

35.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Wehavemadeourannualvows,1Sir,toensureyoursafetyandtherebythatoftheState,anddischargedourvowsforthepastyear,withprayersto the gods to grant that they may be always thus discharged andconfirmed.

36.TrajantoPliny

I was glad to hear from your letter, my dear Pliny, that you and theprovincialshavedischargedyourvowstotheimmortalgodsonbehalfofmyhealthandsafety,andhaverenewedthemforthecomingyear.

37.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

The citizens of Nicomedia, Sir, have spent 3,318,000 sesterces on anaqueduct which they abandoned before it was finished and finally

demolished. Then they made a grant of 200,000 sesterces towardsanotherone,butthistoowasabandoned,sothatevenaftersquanderingsuch enormous sums theymust still spendmoremoney if they are tohaveawatersupply.

I have beenmyself to look at the spring which could supply purewater to be brought along an aqueduct, as originally intended, if thesupplyisnottobeconfinedtothelowerlyingpartsofthetown.Thereare very fewarches still standing, but others couldbebuilt out of theblocks of stone taken from the earlier construction, and I think someoughttobemadeofbrick,whichwouldbeeasierandcheaper.

Thefirstessentialisforyoutosendoutanengineeroranarchitecttoprevent a third failure. I will add only that the finished work willcombineutilitywithbeauty,andwillbewellworthyofyourreign.

38.TrajantoPliny

StepsmustbetakentoprovideNicomediawithawatersupply,andIamsure you will apply yourself to the task in the right way. But forgoodness’sakeapplyyourselfnolesstofindingoutwhosefaultitisthatNicomediahaswastedsomuchmoneyuptodate.Itmaybethatpeoplehaveprofitedbythisstartingandabandoningofaqueducts.Letmeknowtheresultofyourinquiry.

39.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

ThetheatreatNicaea,Sir,ismorethanhalfbuiltbutitisstillunfinishedandhasalreadycostmorethantenmillionsesterces,orsoIamtold-I

have not yet examined the accounts. I am afraid it may be money

wasted. The building is sinking and showing immense cracks, eitherbecausethesoilisdampandsoftorthestoneusedwaspoorandfriable.We shall certainly have to consider whether it is to be finished orabandoned, or even demolished, as the foundations and substructureintendedtoholdupthebuildingmayhavecostalotbutlooknonetoosolidtome.Therearemanyadditionstothetheatrepromisedbyprivateindividuals,suchasacolonnadeoneithersideandagalleryabovetheauditorium,butall thesearenowheldupby the stoppageofworkonthemainbuildingwhichmustbefinishedfirst.

The citizens ofNicaeahave also begun to rebuild their gymnasium(whichwasdestroyedby firebeforemyarrival)onamuch largerandmoreextensivescalethanbefore.Theyhavealreadyspentalargesum,whichmaybetolittlepurpose,forthebuildingsarebadlyplannedandtooscattered.Moreover,anarchitect–admittedlyarivaloftheonewhodrew up the designs – has given the opinion that the walls cannotsupportthesuperstructureinspiteofbeingtwenty-twofeetthick,astherubblecorehasnofacingofbrick.

ThepeopleofClaudiopolisarealsobuilding,orratherexcavating,anenormouspublicbathinahollowatthefootofamountain.Themoneyforthisiscomingeitherfromtheadmissionfeesalreadypaidbythenewmembersof the towncouncil electedbyyourgracious favour,or fromwhattheywillpayatmydemand.SoIamafraidthereismisapplicationofpublicfundsatNicaeaandabuseofyourgenerosityatClaudiopolis,though this should be valued above any money. I am thereforecompelledtoaskyoutosendoutanarchitecttoinspectboththeatreand

bathanddecidewhetheritwillbemorepracticable,inviewofwhathasalready been spent, to keep to the original plans and finish bothbuildings as best we can, or to make any necessary alterations andchangesofsitesothatwedonotthrowawaymoremoneyinanattempttomakesomeuseoftheoriginaloutlay.

40.TrajantoPliny

ThefutureoftheunfinishedtheatreatNicaeacanbestbesettledbyyouonthespot.Itwillbesufficientformeifyouletmeknowyourdecision.But,oncethemainbuildingisfinished,youwillhavetoseethatprivateindividualscarryouttheirpromisesofaddingtothetheatre.

ThesepoorGreeksallloveagymnasium;soitmaybethattheyweretooambitiousintheirplansatNicaea.Theywillhavetobecontentwithonewhichsuitstheirrealneeds.

AsforthebathatClaudiopolis,whichyousayhasbeenstartedinanunsuitable site, you must decide yourself what advice to give. Youcannot lack architects: every province has skilledmen trained for thiswork. It is amistake to think they canbe sent outmorequickly fromRomewhentheyusuallycometousfromGreece.

41.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

In consideration of your noble ambitionwhichmatches your supremeposition, I think I should bring to your notice any projects which areworthy of your immortal name and glory and are likely to combineutilitywithmagnificence.

There is a sizeable lake1 not far from Nicomedia, across whichmarble, farm produce, wood, and timber for building are easily andcheaplybroughtbyboatasfarasthemainroad;afterwhicheverythinghastobetakenontotheseabycart,withgreatdifficultyandincreased

expense.Toconnectthelakewiththesea2wouldrequireagreatdealoflabour, but there is no lack of it. There are plenty of people in thecountryside,andmanymoreinthetown,anditseemscertainthattheywillallgladlyhelpwithaschemewhichwillbenefitthemall.

Itremainsforyoutosendanarchitectoranengineer,ifyouthinkfit,tomake an accurate survey and determine whether the lake is above

sea-level. The local experts say that it is forty cubits1 above. I havelooked at the sitemyself and find there is a canal dug by one of theformerkingsofBithynia,thoughwhetherthiswasintendedtodrainthesurroundingfieldsortoconnectthelakewiththeriverIamnotsure;itwasleftunfinished,andagainIcannotsayifthiswasbecausethekingdied suddenly or despaired of finishing thework. This, however, onlyfiresmewithenthusiasmtoseeyouaccomplishwhatkingscouldonlyattempt:youwillforgivemyambitionforyourgreaterglory.

42.TrajantoPliny

Imayperhapsbetemptedtothinkofconnectingthislakeofyourswiththe sea, but theremust first be an accurate survey to find howmuchwaterthelakecontainsandfromwhatsourceitisfilled,orelseitmightbe completely drained once it is given an outlet to the sea. You can

apply to Calpurnius Macer2 for an engineer, and I will send you outsomeonewhohasexperienceofthissortofwork.

43.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

WhenIwasinspectingtheaccountsofthecityofByzantium,Sir,whereexpenditure has been very heavy, I was informed that a delegatewassentannuallytoofferyoualoyaladdressandallowed12,000sestercesfor his expenses. Remembering your wishes, I decided to send on theaddressbutnodelegate to convey it, so that the citizens could reduceexpenseswithoutfailingintheirofficialdutytowardsyou.Inthesameaccountsthereisanentryofanother3,000sestercesundertheheadofannualtravellingexpensesforthedelegatesentwithanofficialgreetingto the governor ofMoesia. This, too, I thought shouldbe cut down infuture.

I pray you, Sir, to think fit to give me your opinion, and eitherconfirmmydecisionorcorrectmeifIamatfault.

44.TrajantoPliny

Youwerequiteright,mydearPliny,toremitthe12,000sesterceswhichthecitizensofByzantiumwere spendingonadelegate to convey theirloyal address to me. Their duty will be fulfilled if their resolution isforwardedthroughyou.ThegovernorofMoesiawillalsoforgivethemiftheyspendlessonpayingtheirrespectstohim.

45.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Arepermits touse the ImperialPostvalidafter theirdatehasexpired,and,ifso,forhowlong?Iprayyou,Sir,totellmeyourwishesandsettle

mydoubts.Iamanxiousnottomakethemistakethroughignoranceofsanctioning illegal documents, or alternatively of holding up essentialdispatches.

46.TrajantoPliny

PermitstousethePostmustnotbeusedoncetheirdatehasexpired.Ithereforemake it a strict rule to see that newpermits are sent out toeveryprovincebeforethedatetheycanbeneeded.

47.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

When, Sir, I wished to inspect the finances of Apamea, sums owing,revenue, and expenditure, I was told that the citizens were all quitewilling for me to see the accounts, but as Apamea was a Roman

settlement1 none of the senatorial governors had ever done so; and itwastheirlong-establishedcustomandprivilegetomanagetheirinternalaffairs in theirownway. I told them to setdown their statementsandauthoritiesquotedintheformofapetition,andthisIamsendingtoyoujustasIreceivedit thoughIrealizethatmuchof it is irrelevanttothepointatissue.

IprayyoutothinkfittoinstructmehowIoughttoact.IamanxiousforitnottoseemthatIhaveexceededorfallenshortofmyduty.

48.TrajantoPliny

HavingreceivedthepetitionfromthecitizensofApameawhichyousentwithyourletter,IthinkIneednotlookintothereasonswhytheywishit

tobeknownthatthesenatorialgovernorsoftheprovincerefrainedfrominspecting their accounts; seeing that they raise no objection to aninspectionbyyou.Ithinkthenthatyoushouldrewardtheirhonestyandassurethemthatonthisoccasionyouaremakingaspecialinspectionatmy express wish, and that it will be carried out without prejudice totheirexistingprivileges.

49.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Beforemyarrival, Sir, the citizens ofNicomediahadbegun tobuild anewforumadjacenttotheirexistingone.Inonecornerofthenewarea

isanancienttempleoftheGreatMother,1whichneedstoberebuiltormovedtoanewsite,mainlybecauseitismuchlowerthanthebuildingsnow going up. I made a personal inquiry whether the temple wasprotected by any specific conditions, only to find that the form ofconsecrationpractisedhereisquitedifferentfromours.

Wouldyouthenconsider,Sir,whetheryouthinkthatatemplethusunprotectedcanbemovedwithout lossof sanctity?Thiswouldbe themostconvenientsolutioniftherearenoreligiousobjections.

50.TrajantoPliny

You need have no religious scruple,my dear Pliny, aboutmoving thetempleoftheMotheroftheGodstoamoreconvenientplaceifachangeofsiteseemsdesirable;norneedyouworryifyoucanfindnoconditionslaiddownforconsecration,asthesoilofanaliencountryisnotcapableofbeingconsecratedaccordingtoourlaws.

51.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Itisdifficult,Sir,tofindwordstotellyouhowhappyyouhavemademeby your kindness to my mother-in-law and myself in transferring herrelativeCaeliusClemenstothisprovince.Ibegintorealizetothefulltheextent of your generosity when it is thus graciously extended to mywholefamily:Icouldnotventuretorepayit,whatevermyabilitytodosomightbe.Icanonlyhaverecoursetovowstakenonyourbehalfandpray the gods that I may never prove unworthy of the favours youcontinuallybestow.

52.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

We have celebrated with appropriate rejoicing, Sir, the day of your

accession2wherebyyoupreservedtheEmpire;andhaveofferedprayerstothegodstokeepyouinhealthandprosperityonbehalfofthehumanrace, whose security and happiness depends on your safety. We havealsoadministeredtheoathofallegiancetothetroopsintheusualform,andfoundtheprovincialseagertotakeit,too,asaproofoftheirloyalty.

53.TrajantoPliny

Iwasgladtohearfromyourletter,mydearPliny,oftherejoicinganddevotion with which under your guidance, the troops and provincialshavecelebratedtheanniversaryofmyaccession.

54.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Thankstoyourforesight,Sir,thesumsowedtopublicfundshavebeenpaidinundermyadministration,orareinprocessofbeingso;butIamafraid themoneymay remain uninvested. There is no opportunity, orpractically none, of purchasing landed property, and people cannot befound who will borrow from public funds, especially at the rate oftwelvepercent,thesamerateasforprivateloans.

Wouldyouconsider,Sir,whetheryouthinkthattherateofinterestshouldbeloweredtoattractsuitableborrowers,and,iftheyarestillnotforthcoming,whetherthemoneymightbeloanedoutamongstthetowncouncillors upon their giving the State proper security? They may beunwillingtoacceptit,butitwillbelessofaburdentothemiftherateofinterestisreduced.

55.TrajantoPliny

Neither can I see any other solution myself, my dear Pliny, to theproblemofinvestingpublicfunds,unlesstherateofinterestonloansislowered. You can fix the rate yourself, according to the number ofpotentialborrowers.Buttoforcealoanonunwillingpersons,whomayperhaps have no means of making use of it themselves, is not inaccordancewiththejusticeofourtimes.

56.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

May I express my deepest gratitude, Sir, that in the midst of yourimportantpreoccupationsyouhaveseenfit todirectmeonmattersonwhichIhavesoughtyouradvice;Ipraythatyouwilldosoonceagain.

Amanhasapproachedmewiththeinformationthatcertainenemiesof his, who had been sentenced to three years banishment by the

distinguishedsenatorPubliusServiliusCalvus,1arestillintheprovince.They on the other hand insist that their sentences were reversed byCalvus, and have quoted his edict of restitution. I therefore thought itnecessary to refer thewhole question to you, seeing that your officialinstructionswerethatIshouldnotrecallanyonebanishedbyoneofthegovernorsorbymyself,butIcanfindnorulingonthesituationwhereagovernorhaspassedsentenceofbanishmentandsubsequentlyreversedit.Consequently,Sir, I felt Imustaskyouwhatcourseyouwishmetofollow, and alsowhat I am to dowith people found still to be in theprovince, although theywere sentenced to banishment and never hadtheirsentencesreversed.

A further type of case has also come to me for trial. A man wasbroughtbeforemewhohadbeensentencedtobanishmentforlifebythe

governor Julius Bassus.1 Knowing that all Bassus’s acts had beenannulled,andthattheSenatehadgrantedanyonesentencedbyhimtheright to have a new trial so long as the appealwasmadewithin twoyears, I asked thisman ifhehadbroughthis case to thenoticeof thesucceeding governor.He said he had not. So now I amobliged to askwhether you think that the man should be exiled on his originalsentence,or if someheaviersentence,and if so,what, shouldbegivenhim,andanyotherswemayfindinasimilarsituation.

I append copies of the sentence passed by Calvus and his edict ofreversal,andthesentencepassedbyBassus.

57.TrajantoPliny

Iwill letyouknowmydecisionaboutthelegalpositionofthepersonswho were banished for three years by the governor Publius ServiliusCalvusandsubsequentlyhadtheirsentencesreversed,assoonasIhavefoundoutfromCalvusthereasonwhyhedidthis.

As for themanwhowasbanished for lifeby JuliusBassus,hehadtwoyears inwhichhecouldhaveaskedforare-trial ifhethoughthissentencewasunjust,but,ashetooknostepstodoso,andremainedintheprovince,hemustbesentinchainstotheofficersincommandofmy

imperialguards.2Itisnotsufficienttorestorehisformersentencewhenheevadeditbycontemptofcourt.

58.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

When,Sir,Iwassummoningjurorstoattendassizes,FlaviusArchippustried to claim exemption on the grounds that he was a teacher ofphilosophy.At this somepeopledeclared that itwasnotaquestionofexcusinghimfromactingasajuror,butofremovinghisnamealtogetherfromtheregisterandsendinghimbacktocompletethesentencehehadevaded by breaking out of prison. The sentence pronounced by thegovernor Velius Paulus was quoted, whereby Archippus had beencondemnedtotheminesforforgery.Hecouldproducenothingtoprovethat this sentence had been reversed, but as evidence of hisreinstatementhe citedapetitionhehadpresented toDomitian, letterswritten byDomitian testifying to his character, and a decree voted bythepeopleofPrusa.To theseheaddeda letterwrittenbyhimtoyou,andanedictandletterofyourfather,allconfirmingthebenefitsgrantedhimbyDomitian.

Notwithstandingthenatureof thechargesmadeagainst thisman, Ithought I shouldmake no decision until I had asked your advice; thecaseseemedtometoneedyourofficialruling.Iappendthedocumentscitedonbothsides.

(a)Domitian’sLettertoTerentiusMaximus

At the petition of Flavius Archippus the philosopher, I have giveninstructionsthatupto100,000sestercesistobespentonbuyinghimafarm near his native town, Prusa; from the income whereof he maysupporthisfamily.Iwishthistobedoneonhisbehalf,andthefullcostchargedtomeasapersonalgifttohim.

(b)Domitian’sLettertoLappiusMaximus

Archippusthephilosopherisanhonestman,hischaracterinaccordancewithhisprofession. Iwish to recommendhim toyournotice,mydearMaximus,andtrustthatyouwillshowhimeverycourtesyinaccedingtosuchmodestdemandsashemaymakeofyou.

(c)EdictoftheDeifiedEmperorNerva1

There are somematters, citizens,which need no edict in happy timeslikeours,norshouldagoodrulerhavetogiveevidenceofhisintentionswheretheycanbeclearlyunderstood.Everyoneofmysubjectscanrestassured without a reminder that, in sacrificing my retirement to thesecurityoftheState,itwasmyintentiontoconfernewbenefitsandtoconfirm those already granted. However, to prevent your publicrejoicing beingmarred bymisgivings, through the doubts of anywhohave received favours, or the memory of the Emperor who bestowedthem, Ihave thought itnecessaryanddesirable tomeetyouranxieties

byaproofofmygenerosity.ItismywishthatnooneshouldthinkthatIshallwithdraw any public or private benefactions conferred by any ofmy predecessors, so as to claim credit for restoring them myself.Everythingshallbeassuredandratified:nooneonwhomthefortuneofthe Empire has smiled, shall need to renew his petitions in order toconfirmhishappiness.Letmysubjectsthenpermitmetodevotemyselfto newbenefactions, and be assured that they need ask only forwhattheyhavenothithertobeengranted.

(d)TheDeifiedEmperorNerva’sLettertoTulliusJustus

Any regulations laid down formatters begun or concluded in the lastreign are to hold good; consequently letters of Domitian must alsoremainvalid.

59.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Flavius Archippus has charged me by your prosperity and immortalname,toforwardapetitionwhichhehasplacedinmyhands.Ithoughtitmydutytograntarequestmadeinthisway,providedthatIinformedFuria Prima, his accuser, of my intention. She has also handed me apetitionwhichIamsendingwiththis letter,sothatyoucanhearbothsidesofthecaseandbebetterabletodecidewhatistobedone.

60.TrajantoPliny

It ispossible thatDomitianwasunawareofArchippus’spositionwhenhe wrote all these letters of recommendation, but I personally find itmorenaturaltobelievethatArchippuswasrestoredtohisformerstatus

by the Emperor’s intervention. This seems more likely because the

peopleofPrusasooftenvotedArchippusthehonourofhavinghisstatuesetup,thoughtheymusthaveknownaboutthesentencepassedbythegovernorPaulus.Butnoneofthismeans,mydearPliny,thatifanynewchargeisbroughtagainsthimyoumustnotgiveitahearing.

I have read the petitions from Archippus and his accuser, FuriaPrima,whichyousentmeinyoursecondletter.

61.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Youverywiselyexpressthefear,Sir,thatthelakenearNicomediamightbe drained away if connectedwith the river and then to the sea, butsinceIhavebeenonthespotIdunkIhavefoundawayofavoidingthisdanger. The lake can be brought right up to the river bymeans of acanalwithoutactuallyjoiningit,ifasortofdykeisleftbetweentokeepthetwoapart;itwillnotactuallyflowintotheriver(andsobedrainedofwater)but the effectwill be almost the sameas if it did. Itwill beeasytobringcargoesalongthecanalandthentransferthemtotheriveracrossthenarrowstripoflandbetween.

Thiswouldbea solution ifnecessary,but I amhopeful that itwillnotbeneeded;forthelakeisinfactfairlydeep,andhasariverflowingout at theopposite sidewhich canbedammedanddivertedwhereverwelike,sothatitwouldcarryoffnomorewaterthanatpresentanddonodamage to the lake.Thereare,moreover, several streamsalong thecourseoftheproposedcanal,andiftheirwateriscarefullyconserveditwill augment the supply from the lake. Again, if we decide to cut alongercanal,deepenitandbringitdowntosea-levelsothatthewater

willflowdirectintothesea,insteadofviatheriver,thecounter-pressurefromtheseawillchecktheoutflowfromthelake.Evenifwehadnoneof these natural advantages we could manage to regulate the flow ofwaterbysluices.

Buttheseandotherdetailscanbemuchmoreaccuratelyworkedoutinasurveybytheengineer,whomyoumustassuredlysend,Sir,asyoupromised.Theschemedeservesyourattention,andwillproveworthyofyour eminent position.Meanwhile, I havewritten to the distinguishedsenator CalpurniusMacer, as you directed, and asked him to send themostsuitableengineerhehas.

62.TrajantoPliny

I can see, my dear Pliny, that you are applying all your energy andintelligencetoyourlake;youhaveworkedoutsomanywaysofavoidingthedangerofitswaterdrainingaway,andsoincreasingitsusefulnesstous in future.Youchoose then thewaywhichbest suits the situation. Iam sure Calpurnius Macer will not fail to send you an engineer, andthereisnolackofsuchexpertsintheprovinceswhereyouare.

63.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Ihavereceivedaletter,Sir,fromyourfreedmanLycormas,tellingmetodetain,pendinghisarrival,anyembassywhichmaycomeherefromtheBosporosonitswaytoRome.NonehascometoNicaeaasyet,atleastwhileIhavebeenhere,butacourierhasarrivedfromKingSauromates.IthoughtIshouldseizethisunforeseenopportunitytosendhimonwith

the courier who travelled here ahead of Lycormas, so that you could

have both letters together in case they contained news of equalimportancetoyou.

64.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

KingSauromateshaswrittentometosaythathehasnewswhichyoushouldknowassoonaspossible. Ihaveaccordinglygivenapermit forthePosttothecourierwhoisbringinghislettertoyou,inordertospeeduphisjourney.

65.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Aseriousproblem,Sir,whichaffects thewholeprovince, concerns thestatus and cost of maintenance of the persons generally known asfoundlings. I have looked at the orders of your predecessors, but wasunable to find either a particular case or a general rule which couldapplytoBithynia;soIdecidedImustaskyoufordirections,asIfeltitwas not sufficient to be guided only by precedents in amatter whichrequiredyourauthoritativeopinion.

AnedictreferringtoAndania1wasquotedtome,whichwassaidtobeoneissuedbythedeifiedEmperorAugustus,alsolettersofthedeifiedEmperorsVespasianandTitustotheSpartans,andanotherfromTitustothe Achaeans. Therewere also letters fromDomitian to the governorsAvidius Nigrinus and Armenius Brocchus, and yet another to theSpartans fromDomitian. Ihavenotsentcopiesof themtoyouas theyseemedtobeinaccurate,andsomeofthemofdoubtfulauthenticity;and

I felt sure that you had accurate and genuine versions amongst your

officialfiles.

66.TrajantoPliny

Thequestionyouraiseoffreepersonswhowereexposedatbirth,thenbrought up in slavery by those who rescued them, has often beendiscussed,butIcanfindnothingintherecordsofmypredecessorswhichcouldhaveappliedtoallprovinces.Thereare,itistrue,thelettersfromDomitian to Avidius Nigrinus and Armenius Brocchus, which oughtpossibly to give us guidance, but Bithynia is not one of the provincescoveredbyhisruling.Iamthereforeoftheopinionthatthosewhowishto claim emancipation on this ground should not be prevented frommakingapublicdeclarationof their right to freedom,nor should theyhave to purchase their freedom by refunding the cost of theirmaintenance.

67.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

AnambassadorfromKingSauromates,Sir,sawmeatNicaea,andwaitedthereofhisownaccordfortwodays;afterwhichIthoughtIoughtnottodelayhimfurther,seeingthatIstillhadnoideawhenyourfreedmanLycormaswouldarrive,andofficialdutiescompelledmetoleavemyself

foranotherpartof theprovince.1 I thought I shouldbring this toyournoticeinviewofmyrecentlettersayingthatLycormashadaskedmetodetain pending his arrival any embassy which might come from theBosporos. I could thinkofnogoodreason forkeepinghimany longer,

especially as the letters fromLycormas,which (as I said inmy earlier

letter) I did notwant to delay, seemed likely to reach you some daysbeforethisambassador.

68.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Certainpersonshave askedme to follow thepractice of the senatorialgovernors and permit them to move the remains of their deceasedrelatives,eitherbecausetheirmonumentshavesufferedthroughlapseoftimeor the floodingof the riveror forother similar reasons.KnowingthatwhencasesofthiskindariseinRomeapplicationmustbemadetothe College of Pontiffs, I thought I should consult you, Sir, as ChiefPontiff,tolearnwhatcourseyouwishmetofollow.

69.TrajantoPliny

ItmakesthingsdifficultforprovincialsifweenforcetheruleofapplyingtothePontiffswhentheyhavegoodreasonforwantingtotransfertheremainsof theirdeceasedfromonesitetoanother. I thinkitwouldbebest to follow the example of former governors of your province andgrantorrefusepermissiononthemeritsofeachindividualcase.

70.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

IhavelookedaroundPrusa,Sir,insearchofapossiblesiteforthenewbath forwhichyouhavegraciouslygivenyourpermission,andchosenonewhichisoccupiedatpresentbytheunsightlyruinsofwhatIamtoldwasonceafinehouse.Wecouldthusremovethiseyesoreandembellish

thecitywithoutpullingdownanyexistingstructure;indeed,weshouldberestoringandimprovingwhattimehasdestroyed.

But these are the facts about the house. Itwas left to theEmperorClaudius by the will of a certain Claudius Polyaenus, who also leftinstructionsthatashrinetotheEmperorwastobesetupinthegarden-court and the rest of the housewas to be let. For some time the citydrew rent for this; then, partly through pillage and partly throughneglect, thewholehouse,courtandgardengraduallyfell intoruins,sothat now little but the site remains. The citizenswould esteem it as agreatfavour,Sir,ifyouwouldeithermakethemapresentofthisorgiveordersforittobesold,asitissoconvenientlysituated.Myownplan,ifyouapprove,istobuildthebathonwhatisalreadyanopenspace,andtousethesiteoftheoriginalbuildingsforahallandcolonnades,tobededicated to you as benefactor, for it will be a splendid publicmonumentwellworthyofyourname. Iamsendingacopyof thewill,thoughanimperfectone,fromwhichyouwillseethatPolyaenusleftagooddealoffurnitureforthehouse.Thishasdisappearedaswell;butIshallmakeallpossibleinquiriesaboutit.

71.TrajantoPliny

Thereisnoreasonwhyweshouldnotusetheopenspaceandtheruinedhouse,whichyousayisunoccupied,forthenewbathatPrusa.ButyoudidnotmakeitclearwhethertheshrinetoClaudiushadactuallybeensetup in thegarden-court. If so, theground is still consecrated tohimeveniftheshrinehasfallenintoruins.

72.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Certainpersonshaverequestedthatcasesconcerningacknowledgementofchildrenandgrantingoffree-bornrightstoformerslavesshouldcometomepersonallyforsettlement.This,theysay,wouldbeinaccordancewith a letter written by Domitian to Minicius Rufus, and with thepracticeofformergovernors.IhavelookedupthedecreeoftheSenatereferring to cases of these types, but it covers only provinces undersenatorialgovernors.IhavethereforeleftthewholequestioninsuspenseuntilIhavereceivedyourinstructions,Sir,onwhatcoursetotake.

73.TrajantoPliny

If you will send me the decree of the Senate which is giving youdifficulty,Ishallbeabletojudgewhetheryououghttosettlethesecasesofacknowledgingchildrenandrestoringfree-bornrights.

74.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

AsoldiernamedAppuleius,Sir,stationedatNicomedia,hassentmethisreportaboutacertainCallidromus.Thismanhadbeenforciblydetainedby his employers, Maximus and Dionysius (who are bakers), but hadescaped and taken refuge before one of your statues. When broughtbefore themagistrates, hemade the following statement.Hehad once

beenaslaveofLaberiusMaximus,1wascapturedinMoesiabySusagus,and sent by Decebalus as a gift to Pacorus, King of Parthia, inwhoseserviceheremainedforseveralyearsuntilheescapedandsomadehis

waytoNicomedia.

Asherepeatedthesamestorywhenbroughtbeforeme,I thoughtIoughttosendhimontoyou;andIhavedelayeddoingsoonlywhileImade inquiries about a jewel engraved with a portrait of Pacoruswearinghis royal robes,whichthemandeclaredhadbeenstolen fromhim. I shouldhave liked to send this too, if it couldhavebeen found,along with the small nugget of gold I am sending now; he says hebrought it fromone of themines in Parthia. I have sealed itwithmysignetring,thechariot-and-four.

75.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Julius Largus of Pontus, Sir – a person whom I have never seen norheardof,butpresumablyrelyingonyouropinionofme–hasentrustedme with the duty of administering, so to speak, his loyal sentimentstowardsyou.Hehasleftawillaskingmetotakeformalpossessionofhisestateand,afterdeducting50,000sestercesformyownuse,topayovertheremaindertothecitiesofHeracleaandTium,eitherfortheerectionofpublicbuildingstobededicatedinyourhonourorfortheinstitutionoffive-yearlygamestobecalledbyyourname,whicheverIthinkbest.Ithought I shouldbring this toyournotice,mainlybecause Ihope thatyouwillguidemydecision.

76.TrajantoPliny

JuliusLarguschoseyouforyoursenseofdutyasifhehadknownyoupersonally. Consider what will suit the conditions of both places, and

alsowhatwillbestperpetuatehismemory,andmakeyourowndecision;

youcanadoptwhicheverplanyouthinkbest.

77.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

It was a very wise move, Sir, to direct the distinguished senatorCalpurnius Macer to send a legionary centurion to Byzantium.WouldyounowconsidergivingthesameassistancetoJuliopolis?Beingsuchasmallcity it feels itsburdensheavy,andfinds itswrongsthehardertobearas it isunable toprevent them.Anyreliefyougrant toJuliopoliswouldbenefit thewholeprovince, for it is a frontier townofBithyniawithagreatdealoftrafficpassingthroughit.

78.TrajantoPliny

Byzantium is in an exceptional position, with crowds of travellerspouringintoitfromallsides.ThatiswhyIthoughtIoughttofollowthepracticeofpreviousreignsandgiveitsmagistratessupport intheformofagarrisonunderalegionarycenturion.IfIdecidetohelpJuliopolisinthe sameway I shall burdenmyselfwith a precedent, for other cities,especially theweakerones,willexpectsimilarhelp. I relyonyou,andam confident that youwill be active in every way to ensure that thecitizensareprotectedfrominjustice.

Ifpeoplecommitabreachofthepeacetheymustbearrestedatonce;and, if their offences are too serious for summary punishment, in thecaseof soldiers youmustnotify their officers ofwhat is foundagainstthem,whileyoumayinformmebyletterinthecaseofpersonswhoare

passingthroughontheirwaybacktoRome.

79.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Underthecodeoflaw,Sir,whichPompeydrewupforBithynia,itwaslaiddownthatnoonecouldholdcivilofficeorsit inthesenateundertheageofthirty.Thesamelawstatedthatallex-officialsshouldbecomemembers of the local senate. Then followed the edict of the deifiedEmperorAugustuspermittingtheminorpoststobeheldfromtheageoftwenty-two.Thequestionthereforeariseswhetheranyonewhohasheldoffice under the age of thirty can be admitted to the senate by thecensors,and,ifso,whetherthelawcanbesimilarlyinterpretedsothatpersonswhohavenotactuallyheldofficecanbeadmittedtothesenateattheagewhentheywereeligibletodoso.Thishasbeenthepracticehitherto, and is considered unavoidable because it is so much moredesirable to choose senators from the sonsofbetter-class families thanfromthecommonpeople.

When asked my opinion by the censors-elect, I told them that IthoughtitwouldbeinaccordancewithboththeedictofAugustusandthelawofPompeyifanyonewhohadheldcivilofficeundertheageofthirtywereadmittedtothesenate,seeingthattheedictallowedofficetobe held before the age of thirty, and the law laid down that all ex-officialsshouldbecomesenators;butthatinthecaseofpersonswhohadneverheldaciviloffice,althoughtheyhadreachedtheageofeligibility,Ihad somedoubts.That iswhy,Sir, I amaskingyouradviceonwhatyouwishmetodo.IappendtherelevantsectionsofthelawofPompey,andalsotheedictofAugustus.

80.TrajantoPliny

Iagreewithyourinterpretation,mydearPliny,thatthelawofPompeywasmodifiedbytheedictofAugustustotheextentthatanypersonnotundertheageoftwenty-twowaseligibletoholdciviloffice,and,havingdoneso,couldbeadmittedtothesenateofhisowntown.Butnoone,Ithink,undertheageofthirtywhohasnotheldoffice,canbeelectedtothe senate of any place merely because he has reached the age ofeligibility.

81.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

On the last day, Sir, ofmy stay at Prusa nearMount Olympus, I wasfinishing my official business in the governor’s residence when I wasinformed by themagistrate Asclepiades that Claudius Eumolpus had arequest to make. It seems that at a meeting of the local senate Dio

Cocceianus1hadappliedforthetransfertothecityofsomepublicworkwhich he had undertaken, but Eumolpus, representing FlaviusArchippus, had opposed the transfer until Dio should produce hisaccountsforthebuilding,ashewassuspectedofdishonestconduct.HealsodeclaredthatyourstatuehadbeensetupinthebuddingalthoughthebodiesofDio’swifeandsonwereburiedthere,andherequestedmetoholdajudicialinquiry.

I agreed to postponemy departure and do so immediately, but hethenwantedmetogivehimlongertopreparehiscaseandaskedmetohold the inquiry inanother town. I arranged tohold it atNicaea,but,whenItookmyseattohearthecase,Eumolpusagainbegantobegfor

anadjournmentonthegroundsthathewasstillinsufficientlyprepared,whereasDiodemandedanimmediatehearing.Aftermuchargumentonbothsides,someofitreferringtotheactualcase,Idecidedtograntanadjournmentinordertoaskyouradvice,asthecaseislikelytocreateaprecedent. I told both parties to present their demands inwriting as Iwanted toenableyou to judge their statements from theirownwords.Dioagreedtodothis,butEumolpussaidhewouldconfinehiswritten,statement to his request for accounts made on behalf of his town; asregardsthebodiesofDio’srelatives,hesaidthathewasnotinstigatinganycharge,butwasrepresentingFlaviusArchippusandcarryingouthisinstructions. Archippus, who was supported by Eumolpus here as atPrusa, then said that hewould draw up the statement himself. I havewaitedseveraldays,butneitherArchippusnorEumolpushasgivenmeanystatementuptonow.DiohashandedinthestatementwhichIamsendingwiththisletter.

I have visited the building myself, and have seen your statue inpositioninalibrary;theallegedburial-placeofDio’swifeandsonisinanopenspacesurroundedbyacolonnade.Iprayyou,Sir,tothinkfittoguide me, especially in an inquiry of this kind; it has aroused greatpublicinterest,asisinevitablewhenthefactsareadmittedanddefendedbyprecedentsonbothsides.

82.TrajantoPliny

Youneednothavehadanydoubts,mydearPliny,aboutthematteronwhichyouthoughtitnecessarytoconsultme.Youknowverywellthatitismyfixedrulenottogainrespectformynameeitherfrompeople’s

fears and apprehensions or from charges of treason. Youmust dismissthis side of the question, which I would not tolerate even if it hasprecedents to support it, and then see that Dio Cocceianus producesaccounts for all the work carried out under his management as thepublicinterestdemands.Diooughtnottoobjectandinfacthasnotdoneso.

83.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

ThepeopleofNicaea,Sir,haveofficiallychargedmebyyourimmortalname and prosperity,which Imust ever holdmost sacred, to forwardtheirpetitiontoyou.IfeltthatIcouldnotrightlyrefuse,andsoithasbeenhandedtometodispatchwiththisletter.

84.TrajantoPliny

The Nicaeans state that they have the right granted by the deifiedEmperorAugustustoclaimthepropertyofanyofthecitizensofNicaeawhodieintestate.Youmustthereforeexaminethisassertionwithcare,summonall thepersonsconcerned,andcallon theprocuratorsVirdiusGemellinus and Epimachus, my freedman, to help you; so that afterweighingtheirargumentsagainstthoseontheothersideyoucanreachthebestdecision.

85.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Your freedmanandprocuratorMaximus, throughout the timewehavebeen associated, has always proved honest, hard-working, and

conscientious, as devoted to your interests, Sir, as he is a strictmaintainer of discipline. I gladly give him this testimonial in all goodfaith,asdemandedbymydutytoyou.

86a.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Gavius Bassus, Sir, the prefect of the Pontic Shore, has always provedhigh-principled,honest,andhard-workinginhisofficialduties,andhasshown me every respect. I give him my full support andrecommendation,inallgoodfaith,asdemandedbymydutytoyou.

86b.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Iwarmlyrecommend….1Hehasservedinthearmyunderyou,andtothistrainingheowesanyclaimhehasonyourgenerosity.WhileIhavebeenherebothsoldiersandcivilians,whohavehadcloseexperienceofhisjusticeandhumanity,haveviedwitheachothertopaypersonalandpublictributetohim.Ibringthesefactstoyournoticeinallgoodfaith,asdemandedbymydutytoyou.

87.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Nymphidius Lupus, Sir, the former chief centurion and I were in thearmytogether,whenhewascommandingacohortandIwasatribune.Ilikedhimverymuchfromthestart,andourfriendshipbegunthenhasincreased in warmth with the passage of time. I therefore sent him asummons tobringhimoutof retirementand inducehimto joinme inBithyniaasmyassessor.Likeagoodfriendhepostponedhisplansfora

peaceful old age and consented; and he intends to remain with me.Consequently, I look upon his relatives asmy own, especially his sonNymphidiusLupus,anhonest,hard-workingyoungman,wellworthyofhisexcellentfather.Hewillproveequaltoanymarkofyourfavour,asyoumay judge fromhis firstmilitary appointment as commanderof acohort, forwhichhehaswonthehighestpraisefromthedistinguishedsenators, Julius Ferox andFuscus Salinator.Anypromotionwhich youconferonmyfriend’sson,Sir,willgivemealsoanoccasionforpersonalrejoicing.

88.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

It ismy prayer, Sir, that this birthday1 andmany others to comewillbring you the greatest happiness, and that in health and strength youmayaddtotheimmortalfameandgloryofyourreputationbyevernewachievements.

89.TrajantoPliny

Iwriteinacknowledgementofyourprayers,mydearPliny,thatImayspendmany birthdaysmadehappy by the continued prosperity of ourcountry.

90.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

The townof Sinope, Sir, is in need of awater supply. I think there isplentyofgoodwaterwhichcouldbebroughtfromasourcesixteenmilesaway, though there is adoubtful areaofmarshyground stretching for

more than amile from the spring. For themoment I have only givenorders for a survey to be made, to find out whether the ground cansupport theweight of an aqueductThiswill not costmuch, and Iwillguarantee that therewill be no lack of funds so long as you, Sir,willapproveaschemesoconducivetothehealthandamenitiesofthisverythirstycity.

91.TrajantoPliny

Seethatthesurveyyouhavebegunisthoroughlycarriedout,mydearPliny, and find out whether the ground you suspect can support theweightofanaqueduct.Therecanbenodoubt,Ithink,thatSinopemustbe provided with a water supply, so long as the town can meet theexpenseoutof itsown resources. Itwill contributeagreatdeal to thehealthandhappinessofthepeople.

92.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

The free and confederate city ofAmisus enjoys,with your permission,theprivilegeofadministeringitsownlaws.Iamsendingwiththislettera petition handed tome therewhich dealswith the subject of benefitsocieties,sothatyou,Sir,maydecidewhetherandtowhatextenttheseclubsaretobepermittedorforbidden.

93.TrajantoPliny

If thecitizensofAmisus,whosepetitionyousendwithyour letter,areallowed by their own laws, granted them by formal treaty, to form a

benefitsociety,thereisnoreasonwhyweshouldinterfere:especiallyifthecontributionsarenotused forriotousandunlawfulassemblies,buttorelievecasesofhardshipamongst thepoor. Inallothercitieswhicharesubjecttoourownlawtheseinstitutionsmustbeforbidden.

94.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

SuetoniusTranquillus,Sir,isnotonlyaveryfinescholarbutalsoamanof the highest integrity and distinction. I have long admired hischaracterandliteraryabilities,andsincehebecamemyclosefriend,andI nowhave an opportunity to knowhim intimately, I have learned tovaluehimthemore.

Therearetworeasonswhyheneedstheprivilegesgrantedtoparentsof three children: his friends could then effectively express theirrecognitionofhismerits,and,ashismarriagehadnotbeenblessedwithchildren,hecanonlylooktoyourgenerosity,atmysuggestion,forthebenefitswhichthecrueltyoffortunehasdeniedhim.Iknow,Sir,whatafavour Iamasking,but I rememberyourkindnesshitherto ingrantingmywishes;andyoumayjudgehowmuchthismeanstomebythefactthat I shouldnotmakesucharequestduringmyabsenceabroaddid Inothaveitmuchatheart.

95.TrajantoPliny

Youarecertainlywellaware,mydearPliny, that Igrant these favourssparingly, seeing that Ihaveoften stated in theSenate that Ihavenotexceeded thenumberwhich I saidwouldmeetmywisheswhen I first

addressed its distinguished members. I have, however, granted your

requestand issued instructions that it is tobeofficiallyrecordedthat Ihave conferred on Suetonius Tranquillus the privileges granted toparentsofthreechildren,ontheusualterms.

96.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan1

Itismycustomtoreferallmydifficultiestoyou,Sir,fornooneisbetterabletoresolvemydoubtsandtoinformmyignorance.

I have never been present at an examination of Christians.Consequently,Idonotknowthenatureoftheextentofthepunishmentsusuallymetedouttothem,northegroundsforstartinganinvestigationand how far it should be pressed. Nor am I at all sure whether anydistinction shouldbemadebetween themon thegroundsof age, or ifyoung people and adults should be treated alike; whether a pardonought to be granted to anyone retractinghis beliefs, or if hehas onceprofessed Christianity, he shall gain nothing by renouncing it; andwhether it is themere name of Christianwhich is punishable, even ifinnocentofcrime,orratherthecrimesassociatedwiththename.

ForthemomentthisisthelineIhavetakenwithallpersonsbroughtbeforemeonthechargeofbeingChristians.Ihaveaskedtheminpersoniftheyare-Christians,andiftheyadmitit,Irepeatthequestionasecondandthirdtime,withawarningofthepunishmentawaitingthem.Iftheypersist, I order them to be led away for execution; for, whatever thenature of their admission, I am convinced that their stubbornness andunshakeableobstinacyoughtnottogounpunished.

TherehavebeenotherssimilarlyfanaticalwhoareRomancitizens.IhaveenteredthemonthelistofpersonstobesenttoRomefortrial.

Now that I have begun to deal with this problem, as so oftenhappens, the chargesarebecomingmorewidespreadand increasing invariety.Ananonymouspamphlethasbeencirculatedwhichcontainsthenamesofanumberofaccusedpersons.AmongsttheseIconsideredthatIshould dismiss any who denied that they were or ever had beenChristianswhentheyhadrepeatedaftermea formulaof invocation tothe gods and had made offerings of wine and incense to your statue(which I had ordered to be brought into court for this purpose alongwiththeimagesofthegods),andfurthermorehadreviledthenameofChrist:noneofwhichthings,Iunderstand,anygenuineChristiancanbeinducedtodo.

Others,whosenamesweregiventomebyaninformer,firstadmittedthe charge and then denied it; they said that they had ceased to beChristianstwoormoreyearspreviously,andsomeofthemeventwentyyearsago.Theyalldid reverence toyour statueand the imagesof thegodsinthesamewayastheothers,andreviledthenameofChristTheyalsodeclared that the sum totalof theirguiltorerroramounted tonomore than this: theyhadmet regularlybeforedawnona fixedday tochantversesalternatelyamongstthemselvesinhonourofChristasiftoagod,andalsotobindthemselvesbyoath,notforanycriminalpurpose,buttoabstainfromtheft,robbery,andadultery,tocommitnobreachoftrustandnottodenyadepositwhencalledupontorestoreit.Afterthisceremony ithadbeen their custom todisperseand reassemble later totake foodofanordinary,harmlesskind;but theyhad in factgivenup

thispracticesincemyedict, issuedonyour instructions,whichbannedallpoliticalsocieties.Thismademedecideitwasallthemorenecessaryto extract the truthby torture from two slave-women,whom they calldeaconesses. I found nothing but a degenerate sort of cult carried toextravagantlengths.

Ihavethereforepostponedanyfurtherexaminationandhastenedtoconsult you. The question seems to me to be worthy of yourconsideration,especially inviewof thenumberofpersonsendangered;for a great many individuals of every age and class, both men andwomen,arebeingbroughttotrial,andthisislikelytocontinue.Itisnotonly the towns, but villages and rural districts toowhich are infectedthrough contact with this wretched cult. I think though that it is stillpossibleforittobecheckedanddirectedtobetterends,forthereisnodoubt that people have begun to throng the temples which had beenalmostentirelydesertedforalongtime;thesacredriteswhichhadbeenallowed to lapse are being performed again, and flesh of sacrificialvictims is on sale everywhere, though up till recently scarcely anyonecouldbefoundtobuyit.Itiseasytoinferfromthisthatagreatmanypeoplecouldbereformediftheyweregivenanopportunitytorepent.

97.TrajantoPliny

Youhavefollowedtherightcourseofprocedure,mydearPliny,inyourexaminationofthecasesofpersonschargedwithbeingChristians,foritisimpossibletolaydownageneralruletoafixedformula.Thesepeoplemustnotbehuntedout; if theyarebroughtbeforeyouandthechargeagainstthemisproved,theymustbepunished,butinthecaseofanyone

whodenies thathe isaChristian,andmakes it clear thathe isnotbyoffering prayers to our gods, he is to be pardoned as a result of hisrepentance however suspect his past conduct may be. But pamphletscirculatedanonymouslymustplaynopartinanyaccusation.Theycreatetheworstsortofprecedentandarequiteoutofkeepingwiththespiritofourage.

98.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Amongst the chief features ofAmastris, Sir, (a citywhich iswell builtandlaidout) isa longstreetofgreatbeauty.Throughoutthelengthofthishowever, there runswhat iscalleda stream,but is in facta filthysewer,adisgustingeyesorewhich,givesoffanoxiousstench.Thehealthandappearancealikeofthecitywillbenefitifitiscoveredin,andwithyourpermissionthisshallbedone.Iwillseethatmoneyisnotlackingforalarge-scaleworkofsuchimportance.

99.TrajantoPliny

Thereiseveryreason,mydearPliny,tocoverthewaterwhichyousayflows through the city of Amastris, if it is a danger to healthwhile itremainsuncovered.Iamsureyouwillbeactiveasalwaystoensurethatthereisnolackofmoneyforthiswork.

100.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

We have discharged the vows,1 Sir, renewed last year, amidst generalenthusiasmandrejoicing;andhavemadethoseforthecomingyear,the

soldiersandprovincialsvyingwithoneanotherinloyaldemonstrations.WehaveprayedthegodstopreserveyouandtheStateinprosperityandsafety, and to show you the favour you deserve for your many greatvirtues,andaboveallforyoursanctity,reverenceandpiety.

101.TrajantoPliny

Iwasgladtohearfromyourletter,mydearPliny,thatthesoldiersandprovincials, amidst general rejoicing, have discharged under yourdirection their vows to the immortal gods for my safety, and haverenewedthemforthecomingyear.

102.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Wehavecelebratedwithduesolemnitytheday2onwhichdiesecurityof the human racewas happily transferred to your care, commendingour public vows and thanksgiving to the gods to whomwe owe yourauthority.

103.TrajantoPliny

Iwas glad to hear from your letter that the day ofmy accessionwascelebratedunderyourdirectionbythesoldiersandprovincials,withduerejoicingandsolemnity.

104.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

ValeriusPaulinus,Sir,hasleftawillwhichpassesoverhissonPaulinus

andnamesmeaspatronofhisLatinfreedmen.3OnthisoccasionIprayyou togrant fullRomancitizenship to threeof themonly; itwouldbeunreasonable,Ifear,topetitionyoutofavourallalike,andImustbeallthemorecarefulnottoabuseyourgenerositywhenIhaveenjoyeditonsomanypreviousoccasions.ThenamesofthethreeareGaiusValeriusAstraeus,GaiusValeriusDionysius,andGaiusValeriusAper.

105.TrajantoPliny

YourdesiretofurthertheinterestsofthefreedmenentrustedtoyoubyValerius Paulinus does you very great credit. To speed your purpose Ihave issued instructions that it is to be officially recorded that I havegrantedfullRomancitizenshiptothepersonsmentionedinyourletter,andIampreparedtodothesameforanyothersforwhomyoumayaskit.

106.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Publius Accius Aquila, Sir, a centurion in the sixth cohort in theauxiliary cavalry, has asked me to send you a petition begging yourinterest in his daughter’s citizen status. It was difficult to refuse,especiallyasIknowhowreadilyyougiveasympathetichearingtoyoursoldier’srequests.

107.TrajantoPliny

I have read the petition which you forwarded on behalf of PubliusAcciusAquila,centurionofthesixthcohortofcavalry,andhavegranted

hisrequest.IhaveaccordinglygivenhisdaughterRomancitizenshipandamsendingyouacopyoftheordertohandtohim.

108.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

I pray you, Sir, to tell me what legal rights you wish the cities ofBithyniaandPontustohaveinregardtotherecoveryofmoneyowedtothemfromcontractsforhireorsale,orforanyotherreason.Ifindthatseveralofthesenatorialgovernorsallowedprioritytocivicclaims,andthatthisprivilegehascometoacquiretheforceoflaw.Ithink,however,that it would be sound policy for you to make some permanentregulation to secure their interests for all time; for any previousconcession,howeverwiselygranted,remainsonlyatemporaryexpedientunlessconfirmedbyyourauthority.

109.TrajantoPliny

The legal rights of the cities of Bithynia andPontus to recovermoneyowed to them for any reason, can only be determined by reference totheir individual laws. If they already possess the privilege of priorityover other creditors, itmust bemaintained; if not, I have no right tograntthemitagainsttheinterestsofprivatecreditors.

110.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

The public prosecutor of Amisus, Sir, has brought a claim before meagainst Julius Piso, for the sum of 40,000 denarii granted to thedefendanttwentyyearspreviouslybyjointvoteofthelocalsenateand

assembly. He based his claim on your instructions which forbiddonations of this kind. Piso, on the other hand, declared that he hadspent large sums of money on his city and had almost exhausted hismeans. He also pleaded the lapse of time since the grant, and arguedthatheshouldnotbecompelledtorefundwhathadbeengivenhimsolongago forhismanypublic services, since itwouldmean the ruinofhis remaining fortunes. I therefore thought that Iought toadjourn thewholecaseuntilIcouldaskyou,Sir,fordirectionsonwhatlinetotake.

111.TrajantoPliny

It is true that I have issued instructions forbidding public grants ofmoney,butgrantsmadealongtimepreviouslyoughtnottoberevokednor rendered invalid, lest we undermine the position of a greatmanypeople.Letus then leaveoutofconsiderationany featuresof thiscasewhich date back twenty years, for in every city the interests ofindividualsareasmuchmyconcernasthestateofpublicfunds.

112.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Bithynia and Pontus, Sir, are subject to the code of law drawn up byPompey, which makes no provision for payment of entrance fees bythose elected to the local senate by the censors; but in certain cities,where persons in excess of the legal number have been nominated byyour special permission, they have been paying fees of one or twothousanddenarii.Subsequentlythegovernor,AniciusMaximus,madeita rule (though only in a very few places) that persons elected by the

censorsshouldalsopayanentrancefee,whichvariedfromcitytocity.

It remains then for you to consider whether from now on all personselected senators should pay a fixed sum as entrance fee; for it is onlyfitting that a rulingwhich is to be permanent should come from you,whosedeedsandwordsshouldliveforever.

113.TrajantoPliny

ItisimpossibleformetolaydownageneralrulewhethereveryonewhoiselectedtohislocalsenateineverytownofBithyniashouldpayafeeonentranceornot. I think then that thesafestcourse,asalways, is tokeep to the law of each city, though as regards fees from senatorsappointed by invitation, I imagine theywill see that they are not leftbehindtherest.

114.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

The codeof Pompey, Sir, permits the cities ofBithynia to confer theircitizenshiponanyonetheychoose,providedthatitisnotsomeonewhoisalreadyacitizenofanotherBithyniancity.Thesamelawsetsoutthereasonsforwhichthecensorsmayremovesenatorsfromoffice.Certaincensorshavethereforeaskedmyopinionwhetherornotitistheirdutytoexpelasenatorwhoisacitizenofanothercity.

But although the law states that such people may not be electedsenators, it saysnothingabout removing themfromthe senate for thisreason. I therefore felt that I must ask you for your instructions,especiallyasIaminformedthateverycityhasseveralsenatorswhohold

citizenshipelsewhere,andmanyindividualsandcitieswillbeseriously

affected by the enforcement of a section of the lawwhich by generalconsent has long since fallen into disuse. I am sending the relevantsectionsofthelawwiththisletter.

115.TrajantoPliny

You had good reason,my dear Pliny, to be uncertainwhat answer togivetothecensors’questionwhethersenatorswhoarecitizensofothercities in the sameprovince should retain their seats in the senate.Theauthorityofthelawontheonehand,andthelong-establishedpracticeagainst iton theother,would influenceyou inoppositedirections.Myownviewisthatweshouldcompromise;weshouldmakenochangeinthesituationresultingfrompastpractice,sothatcitizensofanycitymayremainsenatorseveniftheirelectionwasnotstrictlylegal;butinfuturethe law of Pompey must be observed. If we tried to enforce it inretrospectitwouldinevitablyleadtogreatconfusion.

116.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Itisageneralpracticeforpeopleattheircoming-of-ageormarriage,andon entering upon office or dedicating a public building, to issueinvitations to all the local senators and even to quite anumber of thecommonpeople inorder todistributepresentsofoneor twodenarii. Iprayyoutoletmeknowhowfaryouthinkthisshouldbeallowed,ifatall.My own feeling is that invitations of this kindmay sometimes bepermissible, especially on ceremonial occasions, but the practice of

issuing a thousand or even more seems to go beyond all reasonable

limits,andcouldberegardedasaformofcorruptpractice.

117.TrajantoPliny

Youhaveeveryreasontofearthattheissuingofinvitationsmightleadtocorruptpractices,ifthenumbersareexcessiveandpeopleareinvitedingroups toasortofofficialpresent-givingrather than individuallyaspersonalfriends.ButImadeyoumychoicesothatyoucoulduseyourgood judgement inexercisingamoderating influenceon thebehaviourof the people in your province, and could make your own decisionsaboutwhatisnecessaryfortheirpeaceandsecurity.

118.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

The winning athletes in the Triumphal Games,1 Sir, think that theyoughttoreceivetheprizeswhichyouhaveawardedonthedaytheyarecrownedforvictory.Theyarguethattheactualdateoftheirtriumphalentryintotheirnativetownsisirrelevant;thedatewhichmattersisthatofthevictorywhichentitledthemtothetriumph.Ontheotherhand,Ipoint out that the name refers to ‘triumphal entry’ and so I am verymuch inclined to think that their date of entry is the one we couldconsider.

TheyalsoclaimawardsforpreviousvictorieswoninGamestowhichyouhave subsequently given triumphal privileges, arguing that if theyreceive nothing in Games which have lost these privileges after theirvictoriesitisonlyfairthattheyshouldhavesomethingforGameswhich

afterwards acquire them. Here, too, I very much doubt whether any

retrospectiveclaimshouldbeallowedand feel that theyshouldnotbegivenanythingtowhichtheywerenotentitledatthetimeofvictory.Ipray you, therefore, to think fit to resolvemy difficulties andmake itclearhowyourbenefactionsaretobebestowed.

119.TrajantoPliny

Inmy opinion, awards in these Games should date from the winner’striumphalentryintohiscityandnotbefore.PrizesawardedinGamestowhich I have granted triumphal privileges must not be givenretrospectivelywherenosuchprivilegesexistedpreviously.Nordoesitassisttheathletes’claimiftheycangainnomoreawardsintheGamesfromwhichIhaveremovedtriumphalprivilegessincetheirvictories,forthoughtheGamesarenowheldunderdifferentconditionstheyarenotrequiredtohandbackprizespreviouslywon.

120.PlinytotheEmperorTrajan

Uptonow,Sir,Ihavemadeitafixedrulenottoissueanyoneapermitto use the Imperial Post unless he is travelling on your service, but Ihavejustbeenobligedtomakeanexception.Mywifehadnewsofhergrandfather’sdeathandwasanxioustovisitheraunt.Ithoughtitwouldbeunreasonabletodenyherapermitwhenpromptitudemeansmuchinperformingadutyofthiskind,andIfeltsurethatyouwouldapproveofajourneymadeforfamilyreasons.

IamwritingthusbecauseIshouldfeelmyselflackingingratitudeif,

among your many acts of kindness, I did not mention this further

instance of your generosity whereby I was given confidence to actwithouthesitation,asifIhadaskedyourpermission:buthadIwaitedtoreceiveit,Ishouldhavebeentoolate.

121.TrajantoPliny

Youwerequite right,mydearPliny, to feel confidentofmy response.Youneednothavehadanydoubtsevenifyouhadwaitedtoaskmeifyou could expedite your wife’s journey by making use of the permitswhich I issued to you for official purposes; it is her duty tomake her

visitdoublywelcometoherauntbyherpromptarrival.1

AppendixA:Inscriptions

THEREareafewfragmentaryinscriptionsreferringtoPliny,thelongestofwhich (C.I.L.V.5262) isknownonly froma fifteenth-centurycopyandone fragment remaining inMilan.Thewholehadevidently stoodoverthebathsatComum,butwasafterwardscutuptomakeatombandsentto Milan in the middle ages, where it was found in the church of StAmbrose.

Gaius PliniusCaecilius Secundus, son of Lucius of the tribeOufentina,consul:augur:praetoriancommissionerwithfullconsularpowerfortheprovince of Pontus and Bithynia, sent to that province in accordancewiththeSenate’sdecreebytheEmperorNervaTrajanAugustus,victoroverGermanyandDatia, theFatherofhisCountry:curatorof thebedandbanksof theTiberandsewersofRome:officialof theTreasuryofSaturn:officialof themilitaryTreasury:praetor: tribuneof thepeople:quaestoroftheEmperor:commissionerfortheRomanknights:militarytribune of the ThirdGallic legion:magistrate on board of Ten: left bywillpublicbathsatacostof…andanadditional300,000sestercesforfurnishingthem,withintereston200,000fortheirupkeep…andalsotohis city capital of 1,866,6662/3 sesterces to support ahundredofhisfreedmen,andsubsequentlytoprovideanannualdinnerforthepeopleofthecity….Likewiseinhislifetimehegave500,000sestercesforthe

maintenance of boys and girls of the city, and also 100,000 for the

upkeepofthelibrary….

The following fragment can still be seen, built into the wall of ComoCathedral(C.I.L.V.5263).

ToGaiusPliniusCaeciliusSecundus,sonofLuciusofthetribeOufentina,consul:augur:curatorof thebedandbanksof theTiberandsewersofRome….

The following inscription was found at Fecchio, a small village nearComo,andsenttotheBreraMuseuminMilan(C.I.L.V.5667).

ToGaiusPliniusCaeciliusSecundus,sonofLuciusofthetribeOufentina,consul:augur:curatorof thebedandbanksof theTiberandsewersofRome:officialoftheTreasuryofSaturn:officialofthemilitaryTreasury:… quaestor of the Emperor: commissioner for the Roman knights:militarytribuneof theThirdGallic legion:magistrateonboardofTen:priest of the deified Emperor Titus: dedicated by the citizens ofVercellae.

Thisistheonlyreferencewehavetoapriesthoodwhichmusthavebeenheld in Pliny’s native Comum; another inscription records thatCalpurniusFabatusheldasimilarone.

AppendixB:Pliny’sHouseatLaurentum

A reconstructed plan taken from Clifford Pember’s model in theAshmoleanMuseum,Oxford.

AppendixC:TableofEvents

AD EventsinRomanHistoryEventsinPliny'sCareer(Capitalsindicatechangeofrank)

ReferencestoLetters

60April48June68Dec.69

RevoltofVinderDeathofNeroAccessionofVespasian

Late60orearly61

Plinyborn

VI:20II:I;VI:10

70 24June79

24Aug.79

DeathofVespasianAccessionofTitusEruptionofVesnvius DeathofElderPliny

VI:16and20

80 13Sept.81 DeathofTitus 81 BeginscareeratBar V:8

AccessionofDemition

MarriesfirstwifeDefendsJuniusPastorinCentumviralCourt 1:18

DECEMVIRSTLITIBUSIUDICANDIS Inscription

TRIBUNUSMILITUMof3rdGalliclegioninSyria

I:10;III:II;VII:31;VIII:14

SEVIREQUITUMROMANORUM Inscription

89 DomitianbanishesphilosophersfromRome(III:II)

88or89 QUAESTORAUGUSTIwithCalestriusTiro

VII:16

II) VII:16

90 91 TRIBUNUSPLEBIS I:23;VII:16

Autumn93 DomitianbanishesphilosophersfromItalyandexecutesStoicleaders

93 PRAETORwithTiroProsecutesBaebiusMassawithHerenniusSenecio

III:II;VII:II

VI:29;VII:33

18Sept.96 DeathofDomitian

94–96 PRAEFECTUSAERARIIMILITARIS Inscription

DeathofCorelliusRufus(I:12)

Jan.97 DeathofVerginiusRufus(II:I)

97 Deathofsecondwife

IX:13

SpeechinVindicationofHelvidiusPriscus IX:13

25Jan.98 DeathofNerveAccessionofTrajan

98–100 PRAEFECTUSAERARIISATURNIwithCornutusTertullus X:3a

100 Jan.100 ProsecutesMariusPriscus II:IIand12

Sept.–Oct. CONSULwithCornutusTertellus

III:13and18

Marriesthirdwife,Calpurnia

IV:19,VII:5

(in98) GrantedMiustriumliberorumbyTrajan X:2

100–101 ProsecutesCaeciliusClassicus III:9

Classicus III:9

101–2 FirstDacianWarofTrajan(VI:27)

?102 DeathofMartial(III:21)

DeathofSilusItalicus(III:7)

Winter102–3

DefendsJuliusBasusIV:9

?103 DeathofFrontinus(IV:8)

103 ElectedAUGUR IV:8;X:13

104–6 ElectedCURATORALVEITIBERISETRIPARUMETCLOACARUMURBIS

Inscription;V:14;VII:15

105–6 SecondDacianWar,anddefeatofDecibalus(VIII:4)

Winter,106–7

DefendsVarenusRufus

V:20;VI:5and13;VII:6and10

110 17Sept.IIIBetween28Jan.and18Sept.113

ArrivesinBithyniaPresumeddeathofPliny

X:17b

AppendixD:KeytoTechnicalTerms

CENTUMVIRALCOURT:TheChanceryCourtofRome;acivilcourtofjusticeconsisting of 180memberswho normally sat in four panels and dealtwiththemoreimportantcasesconcerningwillsandinheritances.

CLIENT : Roman society still retained the old relationship of a clientdependent upon a patron, with moral and legal mutual obligations.Freedmen(ex-slaves)wereautomaticallyclientsoftheirformermasters.

CONSUL:ThiswasstillthehighestofficeintheState;thetwoconsulsnowheld office for considerably less than a full year, so that the honourcould be widely distributed. All ex-consuls enjoyed the privileges ofconsularrank,andthepossibilityofbeingelectedgovernorofoneofthemostimportantprovinces.

DECEMVIR STLITIBUS IUDICANDIS: One of the ten magistrates who presidedoverthepanelsoftheCentumviralCourt.

IMPERIAL POST: Under the Empire official dispatches were carried byspecialmessengerstravellingusuallybycarriage,andchanginghorsesatrecognized posting-houses. Private letters had to be entrusted to hiredcouriers or to friends making a journey, and only in specialcircumstanceswerepermitsissuedtoprivateindividualsenablingthemtousetheImperialPost.

KNIGHTS:ThisOrderrankednext to theSenate,andhadoriginallybeenthe rank of citizens from whom horsemen were drawn for the army.They came to represent business and commercial interests outside theSenate; all knights had to have a minimum property qualification of400,000sesterces.TheyheldimportantpostsintheEmperor’sserviceinRomeand in theprovinces, and from themandhispersonal freedmentheEmperordevelopedanefficientCivilService.

PRAETOR:TheStateofficenextinranktotheconsulship;thepraetorshadlost much of their judicial authority, but provided officials for theTreasuryandotheradministrativeposts,andmostprovincialgovernorswereex-praetors.

PROCURATOR, IMPERIAL: A knight or an imperial freedman serving on theEmperor’s staff in Rome or in the provinces for which he wasresponsible;someminorprovincesweregivenprocuratorsasgovernors.

QUAESTOR: The lowest post in the senator’s official career; quaestorsserved as financial officials, usually in the provinces, or as quaestoresAugustiwereassignedtotheEmperortoconveyhiswishestotheSenate.

SENATE:Itsmembershadtohavetheminimumpropertyqualificationofamillionsestercesandwerelimitedto600.Theywererecruitedfromthesonsofsenators,fromnewquaestors,andfromindividualsnominatedbythe Emperor. Though the Senate’s powers as supremeCouncil of Statewerenowlimited,ithadimportantjudicialauthorityandwasstillactiveasadeliberativebody.

SESTERCE:Atthisperiodthesestercewastheunit forreckoningsumsofmoney, though thecoin incommonusewasdie silverdenarius,worthfoursestercesorsixteenbronzeasses.Asthereweretwenty-fivedenarii

(a hundred sesterces) to die gold aureus, most Victorian editors andsome modern translators have tried to give an English equivalent bydividingbyahundredandreferringtopoundsorgoldsovereigns.Thishasnorelevancein1963,butmostofuswouldliketovisualizewhatacapital of 400,000 or a tip of twelve sestercesmeant to the possessor.Onewaytodosoistolistsomeknownsumsofmoney,largeandsmall,and see how they compare. Juvenal twice says that he could livecomfortably as a single man on die income from 400,000 investedcapital, plus a few slaves and silver plate. Assuming that his incomewouldbefivepercentofhiscapital, ifasestercewereequivalent toamodern6d. thenhewouldhave£500ayear tax free,and,withmuchless tospendmoneyonin first-centuryRomethaninamoderncapitalcity, he could surely do quitewell. Then the twelve-sesterce tip is 6s.This is of course pure conjecture and readers can make their own

guesses.Therelativevaluesremainconstant.*

The table below suggests that the Civil Servants’ salaries (theprocurators)fallintothe£1,500-£7,500range,andamemberofthebarcouldexpect£250foracase.Thesenators’unearnedincomewouldbeaugmentedbysalariesfromshort-termappointmentssuchasPlinyheld.IfwecomparehisfortunewiththeenormoussumsquotedbySuetoniusforrealextravagance(Vitellius’sbanquetscouldcost400,000or£10,000apiece) then Pliny’s claim to be only moderately rich is moreunderstandable.

TREASURY,MILITARY:Thiswas financed largelybyestatedutiesandsalestaxestoprovidepensionsfordischargedsoldiers.ItwasadministeredbythreepraetorsnominatedbytheEmperor.TREASURY,OFSATURN:Originally

themainStateTreasury,thishaddeclinedinimportancebycompetitionwith the Emperor’s fiscus, or privy purse; it was administered by twosenatorsappointedbytheEmperor.

TRIBUNE,MILITARY:Ayoungofficer,whousuallydidnotintendtopursuehismilitaryservicebeyondtheprescribedsixmonthsbeforestartingonasenatorialcareer.

TRIBUNEOFTHEPEOPLE:Thisofficestillexistedasastageinthesenator’scareer,thoughitspowersasrepresentativeoftheplebshadvanished.Itspopular associations made the Emperors choose annual ‘tribunicianpower’asthedistinctivemarkoftheirauthority.

TableofRelativeMoneyValue

(ConjecturalValue)

Sesterces Sesterce=6d. References

Senator'sCensus1,000,000 £25,000

Senator'sincomeatfivepercent50,000 £1.2501

Knight'scensus400,000 £10,000

Knight'sincome20,000 £500

Topsalaries:Pro-consulsofAsiaandAfrica,PrefectofEgypt,seniorlegates

400,000 £10,000

Procurator'ssalaries60,000–300,000

£1,500–£7,500

1,200 £30

Legionary'spayperannum1,200 £30

Legionary'sbonusondischarge12,000 £300

LargesstopublicgivenbyEmperor(congiarium)

300 £7–10

Statepriceforgrain,apeck3 is.6d. Annals,

xv.39

Dailycashdole(sportula)forclients61/4 3s.l1/2d. Juvenal,

1:120

Admissiontopublicbaths1/16 lessthan1/2d. Juvenal,

vi:446

Martial'snewbook20 10s. Martial,

1:117

ReferenceinPliny

1.IncomefrompropertyatTifernum 400,000 £10,000 x:8

2.Valueofsmallfarm 100,000 £2.300 vi:3

3.Tiptomemberofclaque 12 6s. II:14

4.Cashgifttopersonat

receptionsinBithynia 4–8 2S.-4S. x:116

5.Entrancefeespaidby

senatorsinBithynia 4,000–8,000 £100-£200 x:112

6.Municipalcouncillor's

census 100,000 £2,500 1:19

7.Permittedfeetocounselaftercase 10,000 £250 v:9

8.Purchasepriceof

propertynearComum 3,000,000 £75.000 III:19

9.Pliny'sestimated

fortune 15–20,000,000 £375–500,000

10.Regulus'sfortune 60,000,000 £1,500,000 II:20

SelectBibliography

TEXTS

R.A.B.Mynors:LettersI-X.Oxford,1963(OxfordClassicalText)

A.M.Guillemin:LettresI-IX(withnotesandFrenchtranslation),3vols.Budéedition,Paris,1927–8

M.Durry:LettresXetPanégyrique(withnotesandFrenchtranslation).Budéedition,Paris,1959

COMMENTARIES

E.G.Hardy:Pliny’sCorrespondencewithTrajan.London,1889

A.M.Guillemin:NotesinBadeedition(seeabove)

A.N.Sherwin-White:TheLettersofPliny.Oxford,1966

FiftyLettersofPliny.Oxford,1966

Thefollowinglistsareselective,containinggenerallyaccessiblebooksandrecentarticlesinwhichinformationrelativetoPlinycanbefound.

BOOKS

CambridgeAncientHistoryVol.XI:TheImperialPeace.Cambridge,1936(esp.Ch.VbyR.P.Longdon‘NervaandTrajan’)

J.Carcopino:DailyLifeinAncientRome.London,1941(PenguinBooks,1962)

G.E.F.Chilver:CisalpineGaulOxford,1941

J.Crook:ConsiliumPrincipis.Cambridge,1955

H.Dessau:InscriptionsLatinaeSelectae.Berlin,1892,1916

A.M.Guillemin:PlineetlaVielittérairedesonTemps.Paris,1929

G.Highet:JuvenaltheSatirist.Oxford,1954

A.H.M.Jones:TheGreekCity.Oxford,1940

H.Matringly:CatalogueofRomanCoinsintheBritishMuseum.Vol.III,Nerva-Trajan.1936

M.McCrumandA.G.Woodhead:DocumentsoftheFlavianEmperors.Cambridge,1961

A.N.Sherwin-White:RomanCitizenship.Oxford,1939

RomanSocietyandRomanLawintheNewTestament.Oxford,1963

E.M.Smallwood:DocumentsofNerva,TrajanandHadrian.Cambridge,1966

R.Syme:Tacitus.2vols.Oxford,1958

ARTICLES

P.A.Brunt:‘ChargesofProvincialMaladministration’.HistoriaX,1961

R.T.Bruyère:‘TacitusandPliny’sPanegyricus’.Class.Phil.XLIX,1954

A.Cameron:‘TheFateofPliny’sLettersintheLateEmpire’.C.Q.XV,1965

R.Duncan-Jones:‘TheFinancesoftheYoungerPliny’.P.B.S.R.XXXIII,1965

G.P.Gould:ReviewofO.C.T.ofLetters.PhoenixXVIII,1964

J.C.Hainsworth:‘VerginiusandVindex’.HistoriaXI,1962

M.Hammond:‘PlinytheYounger’sviewsongovernment’.Class.Phil.XLIX,1954

T.F.Higham:‘DolphinRiders’.Greece&RomeVII,1,1960

S.Jameson:‘CornutusTertullusandthePlanciiofPerge’.J.R.S.LV,1965

C.J.Kraemer:‘Plinyandtheearlychurchservice’.Class.Phil.XXIX,1934

H.Last:‘Thestudyofthepersecutions’.J.R.S.XXVII,1937

R.P.Longdon:‘NotesontheParthiancampaignsofTrajan’.J.R.S.XXI,1931

S.L.Mohler:‘BithynianChristians’.Class.Phil.XXX,1935

B.Radice:‘AfreshapproachtoPliny’sletters’.Greece&RomeIX,2,1968‘PlinyandthePanegyricus’.Greece&RomeXV,2,1968

G.E.M.deSteCroix:‘WhyweretheEarlyChristiansPersecuted?’PastandPresent,26,1963

‘RejoindertoA.N.S-W’sAmendment’.PastandPresent,27,1964

A.N.Sherwin-White:‘ThedateofPliny’sPraetorship’.1J.R.S.XLVII,1957

‘Trajan’srepliestoPliny:authorshipandnecessity’.J.R.S.LII,1962

‘EarlypersecutionsandtheRomanLaw’.2J.Theol.Studies,N.S.III(2),1952

1.AppendixivinLettersofPliny

2.AppendixvinLettersofPliny

S.E.Stout:“TheCoalescenceoftheTwoPlinies’.Trans.Am.Phil.Ass.LXXXVI,1955

F.A.Sullivan,S.J.:‘PlinyEpistulaeVI,16and20andmodemVolcanology’.Class.Phil.LXIII,3,1968

R.Syme:‘TheImperialFinancesofDomitian,NervaandTrajan’.J.R.S.XX,1930

“TheFriendofTacitus’.J.R.S.XLVII,1957

“TheLowerDanubeunderTrajan’.J.R.S.XLIX,1959

‘Pliny’slessSuccessfulFriends’.HistoriaX,1961

‘PlinyandtheDacianWar’.LatomusXXIII,1964

G.B.Townend:“TheHippoInscriptionandCareerofSuetonius’.Historia,X,1961.

H.W.Traub:‘Pliny’sTreatmentofHistoryinEpistologyForm’.Trans.Amer.Phil.Ass.LXXXVI,1955

K.W.Waters:“TheCharacterofDomitian’.PhoenixXVIII,1964

IndexofProperNamesandPlacesSomenameswhichhaveasinglepassingreferencearenotincluded

AcciusAquila,297

Achaea,232,283

Achilles,144,162

AciliusRufus,155,165

AemilianRoad,151

Aeneas,144

Aeschines,52,61,111,250

AfraniusDexter,149,221

Africa,14,67,70,92,93,203,254

Alexandria,262

Alsium,163

Altinum,84

Amastris,18,19,295

Amelia,228

Amisus,18,292,298

Andania,283

Anio,river,225

AnniusSeverus,29,90

Anteia,22,240

Antonius,Marcus,155

Apamea,18,276

Apennines,30,139,142

Appuleius,286

Aristophanes,54

ArmeniusBrocchus,283–4

Arpocras,262ff.

Arria,theElder,22,102,17s

Arria,theYounger,22,98,198,239ff.

Arrianus,Maturus,35,67,71,84,113,119.157.229

Arrionilk,37

ArriusAntoninus,21,110,126,131

Artemidorus,13,98

ArulenusRusticus,22,37–8,47,79,98,135

Asia,25,91,110,228

AsiniusBassus,123

AsiniusPollio,52,136,178

AsiniusRufus,122

Athens,111,202–3,232

Athenodorus,203

AtiliusCrescens,21,43,161

AtiliusScaurus,175

AttiaViriola,182

AttiusClemens,43,109

AufidiusBassus,88

Augustus,Emperor,18,136,217,283,288,290

Amelia,81

AvidiusNigrinus,283–4

AvidiusQuietus,177,241

BaebiusMacer,87,116,120

BaebiusMassa,13,86,178,208

BaebiusProbus,94

Baetica,14,86,93,178,195,208

Baetici,40,87,93

Baiae,237

Bithynia,15,16,18,114,233,266,283–4,287,291,297–9,303

Bithynians,155,164,188,192

BittiusPriscus,164

BittiusProculus,241

Bosporus,18,282,284

Brixia,21,48

Bructeri,64

Brutus,50,136

Byzantium,18,275,287

CaeciliusClassicus,14,86–7,93ff.,178

CaeciliusMacrinus,64,188,192,225,235

CaecinaPaetus,21,22,102

CaeliusClemens,277

CaepioHispo,116

Caesar,Julius,52,99,136,215

CalestriusTiro,20,45,157,173,194.200,207,236

Callidromus,286

Callimachus,111

Calpurnia,14,16,161,187,218,301

CalpurniusFabatus,14,24,109,148,151,164,179,192,194,200,207,218,228,301

CalpurniusMacer,153,175,275,282

CalpurniusPiso,26,153

Calvina,61

CalvisiusRufus,21,46,81,83,105,

HI,144,210,236

Calvus,35,49,136

Camilla,villa,179

Campania,24,91,151,159,170,177,179,186

CaniniusRufus,36,65,91,173,196,201,212,254

Capri,171

Carsulae,36

Carthage,203,254

Cassius,50,201

Casta,96,97

CatiusPronto,67,69,116,164

Cato,50,52,99,108,113

Catullus,30,35,49,122,131

CatullusMessalinus,128

CentumCellae,24,179

Ceres,24,258

Christians,18,27,293ff

Cicero,11,12,27,29,35,38,52–3,108,113,136,187,196,235,247,249

Claudiopolis,19,273–4

Claudius,Emperor,47,102–3,205,285

Claudius,Arisdon,179–80

ClaudiusPollio,206

ClaudiusRestitutus,94

Clitumnus,river,27,30,32,216,217

ClusiniusGallus,124,228

CluviusRufus,245

Como,lake,21,65,132,175,192,237

Comum,12,16,21,23,24,31,36,40,51,90,105,120,144,303–4

Corellia,192–4

CorelliaHispulla,46,85,124

CorelliusRufus,17,45–6,85,124–5,134,192,207,240

Cornelia,118

CorneliusMinicianus,93,117,200,219

CorneliusNepos,131,137

CorneliusPriscus,107,155

CorneliusUrsus,114,155,159,164,217

CornutusTertullus,14–16,69ff..,125,150–51,199,206,241

Cottia,21,97

Cottius,64

CremutiusRuso,175,244

Curtius,Rufus,203

Dacia,177,180,212,265,286

Decebalus,212,286

Demosthenes,35,52,61,111,113,183,206,247,250

Diana,39,238

DioCocceianus,288ff.

Diomedes,135

Domitian,Emperor,13,14,16,37,39,45,96–7,114,118–19,128,204,239,280–81,283–5

DomitiusAfer,74,226

DomitiusApollinaris,65,139,241

Drusus,Nero,88

EgnatiusMarcellinus,119

Egypt,25,154,228,234,262–4

Ennius,137

Ephesus,265–6

Esquiline,108

Euphrates,13,43

Eupolis,54

Euripides,25,118,131

Eurythmus,180

FabiusHispanus,94

FabiusJustus,38,45,185

FabiusRusticus,252

FabridusVdento,128,241–2

FadiusRufinus,247

Fannia,22,98,102,197,239ff.

Firmum,169

FlaviusArchippus,279ff.,289

FlaviusMarcianus,68

FonteiusMagnus,155,188,192

Formiae,100,165

ForumJulii,154

Frontinus,Julius,14,15,113,134,245

FuriaPrima,281

FuscusSalinator,father,291

FuscusSalinator,son,20,163,176,190,256,258

Gades,61

GaiusFannius,138

Galba,Emperor,81

Gallitta,180

Gallus,40,75

GaviusBassus,267–8,290

Germany,38,88,231,264

Gratilla,98,135

Greece,25,232,265,274

HelvidiusPriscus,14,17,22,197

Helvidius,son,22,98,127,206,239–40

Helvidius,grandson,22,127

Heraclea,286

HerenniusSenecio,22,37,98,113,119,197

Herodas,111

Hippo,25,254

Hispellum,217

Homer,39,51,54,73,96,110,119,144,154,156,162,211,212,234,242,249

Horace,11,25,27,29,94,247,249

HostiliusFirminus,70,71

Hyperides,52

Icaria,186

niyricum,102

Isaeus,60,61

Isocrates,178

Italy,30,48,70,112,170

JavolenusPriscus,71,165

Juliopolis,287

JaliasAfricanus,189

JuliusAvitus,156

JuliusBassos,15,18,30,114ff.,155,179,279

JuliasFerox,67,193,291

JuliusGenitor,85,98,206,244

JuliusNaso,112,160,162

JuliusPiso,298

JuliusServianus,103,176,189,231,260

JuliusTiro,180

JuliusValerianus,74,137,149

Junia,197

JuniusAvitus,63,231

JuniusMauricus,38–9,47,79,98,128,165

JuniusPastor,51

Jupiter,39,90

Juvenal,23,26,309,311

JuventiusCelsus,160

LaberiusMaximus,286

LappiusMaximus,18,280

LardusIidnus,73–4,89

LardusMacedo,100

Laurentum,17,24,30,43,56,75ff.,112,135,187,258,305

Leptis,70

IidniusNepos,132,137,147,149,159–60

LidniusSura,132,202

Livy,61,171

Lucania,186

LucceiusAlbinus,93,115

LudusSilanus,50

Lucretius,126

Lugdunum,238

Lupercus,62,248

LustridusBruttianus,174

Lycormas,282,284

Lysias,52

MaedliusNepos,60,102,130,170

MaesiusMaximus,106,129

Malea,Cape,265

MariusPriscus,14,67ff.,93,178,261

Martial,11,23,26,107–8

Maximus,freedman,269,290

Mediolanum,120,200

Memphis,264

Menander,173

MetiliusCrispus,21,176

MettiusCams,37,197,204

MettiusModestus,37–9

Minerva,39,108,238

MinidusAcilianas,21,47–8

MinidusFundanus,42,122,152–3,160

MinidusJustus,192

MinidusMacrinus,48,213

Misenum,166,168,170,172

Modestus,slave,117

Moesia,275–6,286

MontrniusAtticinus,174

Montanus,205,213

Murena,242

MusoniusRufus,98–9

Naples,31,91

Narbonensis,Gallia,154,201

Narnia,36

NeratiusPriscus,189,190,197

Nero,Emperor,21,37,88,91–2,136,138,180

Nerva,Emperor,58,114,119,125,129,136,207,209,263,280

Nicaea,19,270,273,284,289–90

NicetesSacerdos,12,160

Nicomedia,18–19,268,270–74,277,281–2,286

Nigrinus,150,155,188

Nonianus,47

NoniusCeler,182

NorbanusLicinianus,96–7

NoviusMaximus,127,138

NymphidusLupus,291

Ocriculum,36,175

OctaviusAvitus,255

OctaviusRufus,66

Olympus,Mount,288

Ostia,24,30,43,75,78

Pacorus,286

Pallas,205,213ff.

Pannonia,231

Paphlagonia,269

Parthia,286

PassennusPaulus,165,246–7

PassienusCrispus,189

Patavium,21,48

Pergamum,266

Pericles,54

Perusia,36

Plato,25,44

Plautus,49,173

PliniusPatemus,55,121,224,251

Pliny,theElder,13,30,87–90,166–8,170–73

Plotina,252

Po,river,157,195

Polyaenus,188,192

Polyditus,artist,53

Polyclfrus,freedman,180

PompeiaCelerina,14,36,51,106,163,240

PompeiusCollega,70

PompeiusFalco,56,130,200,243

PompeiusPlanta,234,263–4

PompeiusQuintianus,237

PompeiusSaturninus,21,40,49,156,189–90,194,258

Pompey,18,287–8,298–9

Pomponiarius,167–8

PomponiusRufus,97,114

PomponiusSecundus,87,196

PontiusAllifanus,50,177,186

Pontus,15,18,284,286,297–8

Praeneste,144

Priscus,161,189–90,194,197

Propertius,165,247

Prusa,266,268,280,285,288–9

PubliciusCertus,14,241–3

Quintilian,12,25,74,119,160,182

Quintilianus,182

Rectina,167

Regulus,28,30,37–9,53,70,81–2,109–110,112–13,157–8

Rhodes,61,111

Robustus,175

RomatiusFirmus,51,132

Rome,23,31,40,42–3,50,55,58,60–61,68,75,91,101,108,120,128,139,150,156–7,160,162,164,170,186–7,205,228,247,267,274,284,294

RosianusGeminus,185,200,213,230,238,253,268–9

Sabina,117

Sabinianus,246,248

SalviusLiberalis,69,97

SatriusRufus,38,242

Saturnalia,27,78,115,216

Sauromates,king,283–4

Scribonianus,102–3

SemproniusRufus,127,147

SemproniusSenecio,180–81

Seneca,136

SentiusAugurinus,21,26,130–31,237

SeptidusClaras,35,66,205,210

Sertorius,94

Sicily,117,119

SiliusItalicus,17,23,26,91

Sinope,18,19,291–2

Socrates,11,99

Sollers,137

SosiusSenecio,46,111

Spain,72,89,171,252

Sparta,232,283

Stabiae,167

StatiusSabinus,117,169,234,244

Suburanus,189

SuetoniusTranquillus,20,21,27,50,57,92,148,255,292–3

Syria,13,43,99

Tacitus,Cornelius,13,16,18,21,26–7,32,39,52,59,67,69,120,123,162,166,170,198,208,216,238,243,247–8

Tascius,167

Terence,49,173

TerentiusJunior,201–2,224,239

Theophanes,114–15

ThraseaPaetus,21,22,103,177–8,197,230

Thucydides,112,146

Tiber,river,15,110,140,151,225

Tiberius,Emperor,136

Tibur,144,205

Ticinum,195

TifernumonTiber,17,24,30,33,86,109,263

Tiro,187

TitiniusCapito,50,145,219

TitiusAristo,20,55–6,136,220

TitiusHomullus,116,155,170

Titus,Emperor,14,114,283,304

Tium,286

Trajan,Emperor,12,14,15,18–20,64,68–9,72,91,99,104,113,174.177,192,242–3,260ff.,303

TreboniusRufunus,128

Tuscany,24,30,33,86,109,112,139,154,243,256,258

TuscillusNominatos,137,149–50

Tusculum,144

UmmidiaQuadratilla,30,200–201

UmmidiusQuadratus,20,163,177,200–201,239

Vadimon,lake,24,30–31,228–9

ValeriusFestus,92

ValeriusLicinianus,117–19

ValeriusMaxknus,15,202,232

ValeriusPaulinus,59,116,124,154,235,296–7

VarenusRufus,15,17–18,155,159,164–5,179,188–9,192

VarisidiusNepos,111

VeliusPaulus,280–81

VelleiusBlaesus,81

Verania,81

VergiliusRomanus,173

VerginiusRufus,14,16,17,21,58–9,136,163,244–5

Verona,21,183

Verres,53

Vespasian,Emperor,48,88,114,283

Vesta,30,118,197

VestririusSpurinna,21,30,38,64,83–4,97,131,153

Vesuvius,mount,12,31,166–7

VibiusSeverus,104,131

Vicetia,137,149–50

Vienna,128

Vindex,58,163,244

VirdiusGemellinus,269,290

Virgil,25,32,35,91,137,144–5,170.182,199,210,241

Vitellius,Emperor,37,91,310

VitelliusHonoratus,68

VoconiusRomanus,20,37,58,72,99,165,182,216,237,251,261–2

Vulcan,88,182

Xenophon,207

Xerxes,92

Zosimus,23,154

1.TheCommonReader,SecondSeries.

1. These dates are much debated; as given here they are taken fromChapter7ofRonaldSyme,Tacitus,OxfordUniversityPress,1958.

1.ForadifferentviewseeSyme,op.cit.,Appendix21.

1.SeeG.E.F.Chilver,CisalpineGaul,OxfordUniversityPress,1941.

1.

1.GilbertHighet,JuvenaltheSatirist,ClarendonPress,Oxford,1954.

2. See A.M.Guillemin, Pline et la vie littéaire de son temps, Collectiond’ÉtudesLatines,Paris,1929.

1.TheDeclineandFalloftheRomanEmpire,Chapter3.

1.Syme,op.cit.,page664.

1.SeeplatesmandvminRostovtzeff,TheSocialandEconomicHistoryoftheRomanEmpire,OxfordUniversityPress,1926.

1.Georgia,II:46andElegies,II:19.

2.ChildeHarold’sPilgrimage,IV:66–8.

3.GilbertHighet,PoetsinaLandscape,HamishHamilton,London,1957;PenguinBooks,Harmondsworth,1959.

1.Oratorandpoet,contemporaryofCiceroandCatullus;heretakenasamodelforthe‘pure’Atticstyleoforatory.

2.Virgil,Aeneid,vi:129.

3.FromCicero,LetterstoAtticus,1,14,5.

1.AllinUmbria[nowOtticoli,Narni,Consigliano).

2.InEtruria[nowPerugia).

1.ForVoconiusRomanussee11:13.

2.SeeII:20,IV:2and7,andvi:2.OneoftheleadersoftheRomanbar,andtheonlypersonwhomPlinyconsistentlyattacks.

3.SeeIntroduction,page22.

1.BrotherofArulenusRusticus.

1.Homer,Iliad,XVI:250

1.Homer,Iliad,I:528.

1.InLatium,nearOstia(nowTorrePaterno).

1.EitheratthemilitaryTreasuryortheTreasuryofSaturn.

1.InCisalpineGaul(nowBrescia).

2.InCisalpineGaul(nowPadua).

1. Lucius Junius Silanus Torquatus, Nero’s victim in 65 (see Tacitus,Annals,XVI:9).

2.TheauthorofTheTwelveCaesars.

1.Iliad,1:63.

2.ibid.,XII:243.

1.ProCluentio.

1.Cicero,InVerrem,II,4,3.

1.Aristophanes,Acharnians,531.

2.Iliad,III:212.

3.ibid.,III:222and224.

1.SeeVI:10.Ascommanderof thearmyofUpperGermany,hehadputdown the revolt of Vindex in 68 and afterwards refused to allow hissoldierstomakehimEmperorinNero’splace.

1.Cadiz.

1.OntheopeningofthelibraryatComum;see1:8.

1.SeealsoIII:1.

1. The second of the five big public trials in which Pliny appeared.PriscuswasconvictedinJanuary100,cf.VI:29,8.

1. The septemviri epulonum responsible for arranging the sacrificialbanquets for the gods. At this time a priesthood was a decorationconferredfordistinguishedpublicservice.

1.The iustriumliberorumallowedpriorityinholdingpublicofficesandpermittedtheholdertobebelowthestatutoryage.

1.Twelvesesterces.Seenote,page309.

1.TheregioninLatiumnearLakeFucinus.

1.Seeplan,page305.

1.Theweekstartingon17December.

1.Demosthenes,DeCorona,142.

1.OnthecoastofVenetia(nowAltino).

1.CorelliusRufus;forhisdeathsee1:12.

1. Tifemum on Tiber (now Città di Castello), twenty miles east ofArretium(nowArezzo)and150milesfromRome;seealsox:8.

2.In93;seeVII:33.

1. Poet and tragedian, and distinguished as a commander inGermanyduringthereignofClaudius.

1.23August.

1.HislongestextantepiconthesecondPunicwarrunsto12,200verses.

1.Herodotus,VII:45.

2.Hesiod,WorksandDays,24.

1.Horace,Epistles,II,I,45.

1.In93.

1.On1September100;laterpublishedasthePanegyricus.

1.InLatium(nowMoladiGaeta).

1.SeeIntroduction,page22.

2.OntheeastcoastoftheAdriaticSea(nowapartofJugoslavia).

1.HewasprobablyservingwithTrajanintheDadanwarof101–2.

1.AsanativeofComum,RufuswouldknowaboutPliny’sestatesinthedistrict.ThismustbeatTifernum.

1.LexGabinia139B.C.andlexPapiria131B.C.

1.Martial,x:19.

1.IliadI:249.

1.Thucydides,II,40,3.

1.DeCorona,291.

2. The author of many technical works on military strategy, landsurveying,andaqueducts.

1.LexJuliaRepetundarum,59B.C.

1.ButhisactsinBithyniawererescinded;seex:56.

1.TheVestalVirginswerethesixpriestessesinchargeofthecultoftheRomanhearth-goddess.

2.Euripides,Hecuba,569.

1.Quintilian,InstitutioOratorio,X,I,49,quotingIliadXVIII:20.

1.InLatium(nearFrascati).

2.Milan.

1.Catullus,XVI:5.

1.DeRerumNatura,I:832.

1.InGalliaNarbonensis,ontheRh⊚ne(nowVienne).

1.III:20.

1.Nepos,thehistorian,andCatius,anEpicureanphilosopher,bothfromtheInsubriandistrictofCisalpineGaul;thetownmaybeMilan.

1.OfComum.

2.Trajan’sfriendandfamousgeneral.

1.SeeIII:11.

2.BythelexFalcidiaof40B.C.theheir-at-lawwasentitledtoaminimumquarterofanestate.

1.Iliad,VI:235.

2. This type of verse (called after the Alexandrian iambic poet) wasnotorious.SeeQuintilian,I,8,6.

3.Terence,HeautonTimorumenos,77.

1.InVenetia(Vicenza).

1. InLatium(Frascati,Tivoli,andPalestrina).Theseatepopularplacesfinacountryseat;Plinydoesnotownpropertytherehimself

1.Virgil,Georgia,III:8–9.

2.Aeneid,v:195.

1.Thucydides,1:22.

1.SeeV:4.

1.AscuratorofthebedandbanksoftheTiberandthesewersofRome.

1.TheEmperorNerva;orpossiblythedictatorSulla.

2.Homer,Odyssey,II:47.

3.InGalliaNarbonensis(nowFréjus).

1.SeeIV:9.

1.Odyssey,I:351–1.

1.Thecoastalregionnorth-eastoftheApennines(nowAncona).

1.Therewerethreewater-dockstotheRomanhour.

1.V:20.

1.ThefamousQumtilian,teacherandauthoroftheInstitutioOratpria..

2.AteacherofrhetoricfromSmyrna.

1.Illiad,I:88.

1.AcoastaltownofEtruria.

2.See11:1.

1.SeeVI:5.

1.OnthecoastofLathim(nowMoladiGaeta).

2.AsisiuminUmbria(Asia).

3.JavolenusPriscuswasinfactadistinguishedjurist,headofaschoolof jurisprudence, legate of Britain, Upper Germany, and Syria, andgovernor of Africa, and this outburst is more likely to have been anindicationofboredomandimpatience.

1.ThenorthernarmofthebayofNaples(nowCapoMiseno).

1.FourmilessouthofPompeii.

1.InPicenum(nowFenno).

1.Aeneid,II:12.

1.Baetica,inSpain.

1.SeeIII:16

2.InUmbria,ontheViaFlaminia(nowOtricoli).

1.TrajanreturnedfromhisvictoriesinDaciain106.

2.ThraseaPaetus;seeIntroduction,page21.

1.In93;seeIII:4andVII:33.

2.In101;seeIII:9.

3.In99–100;seeII:11.

1.In102–3;seeIV:9.

2.In106–7;seeV:20,andVI:5and13.

3.OnthecoastofEtruria(nowCivitaVecchia).

1.UnderthelexJuliadeadulteriisawomanforfeitedhalfherdowryandwasbanishedtoanisland2.Nero’snotoriousfreedman.

1.NotthefamousQuintilian,whowasdeadbythistime.

2.Aeneid,VIII:439.

1.Demosthenes’mostcelebratedspeech.

1.Theregionsouth-eastofCampania.

2.IntheAegean(nowNicaria).

1.Seev:soandvi:5and13.

1.Nothingmoreisheardofthiscase.

1.InGalliaCisalpina,onthePo(nowPavia).

1.Aeneid,v:320.

1.Milan.

1.ThestoryisalsotoldinTacitus,Annals,XI:21.

1. Freedman and financial secretary of the Emperor Claudius; see alsoTacitus,Annals,XII:53.

1.SeeIX:13.

1.Memorabilia,II,I,31.

1.In93;seeVI:29.

1.Aeneid,V:305.

1.Iliad,IX:.319.

1. This is probably Minidus Macrinus, father of Minicius Acilianus,mentionedinI:14.

2.VII:29.

1.InUmbria,betweenTieviandSpoleto(Clitunno).

1.Spello.

1.InUmbria(nowAmelia).

2.LagodiBassano,north-westofOne.

1.PompeiusPlanta,prefectofEgyptin97–9(seeX:7).

2.Odyssey,XXII:412.

1.ThepopularresortontheCampaniancoast

1.Lyons.

1.ThesonofHelvidiusPriscus.SeeIntroduction,page22.

1.Hissecondwife,daughterofPompeiaCelerina.

1.Unidentified.

2.Aeneid,VI:105.

1.Iliad,VIII:102.

1.VI:10.

1.CluviusRufus,thehistorianoftheearlyEmpireandoneofTacitus’ssources.

1.Cicero,TusculanaeDisputationes,V:103.

1.SeeHorace,ArsPoetica,28.

2.Iliad,XXI:388,V:356,andXIV:394.

1.DeCorona,296,299,and301.

2.Philippic,1:49.

3.DeFalsaLegatione,259.

4.DeCorona,136.

5.Olynthiac,11:9.

6.InAristogeitonem1:28,84,76,7,48,and46.

7.InCtesiphontem,167.

1.InCtesiphontem,16,101,and206.

2.InTimarchum,176.

3.InCtesiphontem,208and253.

1.WifeofTrajan.

2.SeeII:13.VoconiusRomanuswasanativeofHitherSpain.

3.Thehistorian(seeTacitus,Agricola,10).

1.ThepoetofVIII:4.

2.HippoDiarrhytus(nowBizerta),north-westofCarthage.

1.In99–100;seeII:11and12.

1.SeeIII:4andIV:1.

1.FromGermanyandPannoniainlate99.

1.SeeIV:8.

2.InDacia,eitherin102or106.

3.ThesouthernmosttipoftheGreekPeloponnese.

1.InIII.

1.3January112.

1. Lake Sophon (now Lake Sabanja), eighteen miles south-east of thetown.

2.Thetextisdefective,butthisseemstobethegeneralsense.

1.Nowabout120feet.Nothingisknownofthiscanal.

2.SeeX:61–2.HeisknowntohavebeenlegateofLowerMoesiain112.

1.ColoniaJuliaConcordiaAugustaApamea.

1.ThePhrygiangoddessCybele.

2.28January.

1.SenatorialGovernorofBithynia109–10.

1.SecIV:0.

2.Toawaittrial;asStPaulinActsXXVIII:16.

1.‘Pompous,grandiloquentandobscure’(E.G.Hardy).

1. The former capital of the kings ofMessenia (nowAndrossa) in thePeloponnese.

1.Pontus.Inletter77heisatJuliopolis.

1.OneofTrajan’sgeneralsincommandoftheDacianwar.SusagusisageneralservingunderDecebalus,KingofDacia.

1.BetterknownasDioChrysostom, theoratorandphilosopher,whosespeechesOntheDutyofaRulerareaddressedtoTrajan.

1.Thebeginningofthisletterislost.

1.18September112.

1.SeebibliographyandnotesinA.N.Sherwin-White’sLettersofPliny.

1.3January113;seeX:35

2.28January;seeX:52.

3.Freedmenwhoserightswere limitedbecausetheyhadbeenfreedinconditionswhichfailedtocomplywiththelexAeliaSentia.

1.Gamesin-whichthewinnerswereprivilegedtodriveintriumphintotheirnativetowns,andafterwardsreceivedacivicpension.

1. Plinymust have died before 18 September, as there ate no furtherformalbirthdaygreetingstoTrajanlikethoseofX:88.

* The introduction of decimal coinage and progressive inflation havemadenonsenseofmoneyvaluessuggestedin1963,thoughthetableofrelative values can still be applied. A figure of 25 sesterces to thedebased £ sterling of 1974 has been suggested, but this too may beoutdatedbythetimethisreprint(plannedfortheendof1975)appears.

1.Nearlyallsenatorshadmeanswellabovethisfigure,andmanywereextremelywealthy.