Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus Pliny the Younger

Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus c. AD 61–c.112 Born in Comum, son of a landowner Adopted by his uncle, Gaius Plinius Secundus (Pliny the Elder), an equestrian, military figure, polymath, and author of Natural History

Curriculum Vitae Trained in Rhetoric in Rome c. 81 AD served for a year with the army in Syria Returned to Rome – entered the Senate Made a career as an advocate in the law courts specializing in inheritance cases prosecuting provincial governors for extortion 93 AD Praetor 100 AD Consul

Administrative Postings 94 – 96 AD praefectus aerari militaris, in charge of army pensions 98-100 AD curator alvei Tiberis; charged with care for the banks of the Tiber 110 AD Governor of Bithynia Pontus Died in Bithynia From here he raises a question: “What to do about the Christians” – early documentary evidence about Christians and their beliefs.

Literary Achievements Published nine books of letters Commentary on social issues, politics, literature, domestic issues of the day Highly polished, making use of poetic and rhetorical devices – written with an intent to publish His 10th book of letters is a record of correspondence with the Emperor Trajan Also published some poetry and other treatises on a wide variety of subjects

Personal Life Witnessed the eruption of Vesuvius, when it destroyed Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae Married three times, his first two wives died young Calpurnia, his third wife, figures prominently in his letters Close friends with Tacitus, whose Annals establish him as a foremost historian of Rome during the early principate

Selected Bibliography "Pliny"  The Concise Oxford Companion to Classical Literature. Ed. M.C. Howatson and Ian Chilvers. Oxford University Press, 1996. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press.  Paul VI Catholic High School.  1 November 2006  <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t9.e2316> Simon R. F. Price "Pliny the Younger"  Who's Who in the Classical World. Ed. Simon Hornblower and Tony Spawforth. Oxford University Press, 2000. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press.  Paul VI Catholic High School.  1 November 2006  <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t10.e422>