Pliny: Letters, Books Viii-X : Panegyricus (Loeb Classical Library, Vol 59)

Rating:
Summary: Letters on Life
Review: His actual name is Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus. Gotta love those Roman names. I bought all of Pliny's letters because they offer a terrific insight into daily life in ancient Rome. Plus they read so easily. The Loeb translation is by far the best. Reading these letters is like reading a letter you might write to someone today. His prose are translated with a modern twist, but true to form. Of course, the Loeb books also give you the original Latin text on one side of the sheet as well. Pliny wrote about the eruption of Vesuvius from a first hand account. He was on a boat and witnessed the eruption then wrote about it as it was happening. Very cool. Pliny wanted to create a distinctly different type of literature with these letters. They are individually based on events of the times, but without abstractions like many of the other letter writers of the time (namely Seneca). He was successfully able to do this by creating a picture of his times with his words. He writes about philosophy, slavery, Trajan, Rome, literature, the Senate, and all of his friends (namely Tacitus and Seutonius). All of which are very interesting and Loeb has arranged them in a way so they are easy to follow. This series of Pliny's letters culminates into Book X which are all of his letters to the emperor Trajan. Trajan had called upon Pliny to govern the province of Bithynia-Pontus. The letters are very important in understanding how Rome governed the provinces. They are also some of the earliest writings on Christianity in the provinces.

Rating:
Summary: A snapshot of Roman life
Review: Pliny the Younger's letters offer a glimpse into the political and literay life of Rome at the height of her power. Included in the letters are two riveting accounts of the erruption of Mt. Vesuvius, and Pliny the Younger's correspondance with the likes of Suetonius and the Emperer Trajan. A beautifully made book with both English and the original Latin.