Pliny the Younger

(Caius Plinius Caecilius)

63–113

Pliny the Younger
CENTURIAN REPORTS TO PLINY, GOVERNOR OF BITHYNIA
Pliny the Younger was a Roman statesman who held moderately important posts, but he is known primarily because of his letters. He was a contemporary of Domitian and Trajan, and a personal friend of Tacitus the historian. As a man of letters, his circle of friends and associates included some of the better writers of the Silver Age including Suetonius, Martial, Juvenal, and Quintilian. His career included the standard series of public offices, the cursus honorum, and he was also known as an orator and advocate (or lawyer). He ended his career as the governor of Bithynia, appointed by Trajan to help administer a province then in need of reform.

Among the more famous letters of Pliny were several written to Trajan during his service in Bithynia requesting guidance on dealing with the burgeoning cult of Christianity. The strategy of offering all Christians the opportunity to recant by burning incense upon the altar of the emperor was adopted. Pliny presided over persecutions reluctantly, but with characteristic efficiency and thoroughness.


Key events during the life of Pliny the Younger:


Year
Event
79
 Escaped from Pompeii during eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Uncle perished.
83
 Military tribune in Syria.
89
 Quaestor.
91
 Tribune.
93
 Praetor.
100
 Consul.
111
 Proconsul of Pontus-Bithynia.
113
 Died.

Other Resources


Story Links
Book Links
Pliny and the Christians in  To the Lions  by  Alfred J. Church
Soldier and a Scholar  in  Pictures from Roman Life and Story  by  Alfred J. Church
Roman Gentleman  in  Pictures from Roman Life and Story  by  Alfred J. Church
Struggle for Life  in  The Early Church, from Ignatius to Augustine  by  George Hodges
Destruction of Pompeii  in  The Discovery of New Worlds  by  M. B. Synge


Image Links


Fabius before the Governor
 in To the Lions


Contemporary
Short Biography
Spurnius Correspondent of Pliny the Younger.
Tacitus Historian. Related to Agricola. Wrote Germania, Histories, and Annals.
Domitian Third Flavian emperor. Known for purges and persecutions near end of reign.
Trajan Second of "Five Good Emperors." Ruled with justice and integrity. Conquered Dacia.
Martial Poet and satirist. Wrote twelve books of Epigrams.
Juvenal Satirical poet; ridiculed the vices of imperial Roman society.