Pliny the Younger (c.61–c.112 CE,) fully Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus, was an Ancient Roman senator, lawyer, and writer. He is noted for his books of private letters that deal with both public and private affairs and which include a description of the eruption of Vesuvius in 79CE. He was the nephew and adopted son of Pliny the Elder.
Born in Novum Comum (Como,) Pliny wrote a Greek tragedy in his 14th year, and under Quintilian’s tuition, became one of the most accomplished men of his time. His skill as an orator enabled him at 18 to plead in the Forum, and he served as consul in 100 CE, in which year he wrote his eulogy to Trajan. From 103–105 CE, he was propraetor of the Provincia Pontica and was curator of the Tiber, among other offices.
Pliny’s ten volumes of letters give an intimate picture of the upper class in the 1st century CE; notably, his correspondence with Trajan clearly shows how the Romans regarded the early Christians and their ‘depraved and extravagant superstition.’
Pliny contributed to Tacitus’s Historiae a description of Mt. Vesuvius’s eruption that destroyed Pompeii and other cities. (Pliny was present at the eruption; Pliny the Elder was killed by it.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Pliny the Younger
Since it is not granted to us to live long, let us transmit to posterity some memorial that we have at least lived.
—Pliny the Younger
Topics: Living
It is remarkable how ones wits are sharpened by physical exercise.
—Pliny the Younger
Topics: Health
His only fault is that he has no fault.
—Pliny the Younger
Topics: Perfection
The longest day is soon ended.
—Pliny the Younger
Topics: Persistence
Grief has limits, whereas apprehension has none. For we grieve only for what we know has happened, but we fear all that possibly may happen.
—Pliny the Younger
Topics: Fear, Anxiety, Worry
Honor puts us under an obligation as binding as necessity is for other people.
—Pliny the Younger
Topics: Honor
It is better to excel in any single art than to arrive only at mediocrity in several, so moderate skill in several is to be preferred where one cannot attain to perfection in any.
—Pliny the Younger
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