Pliny the Younger: EPISTVLARVM LIBRI DECEM

1 Tua quidem pietas, imperator sanctissime, optaverat, ut quam tardissime succederes patri; sed di immortales festinaverunt virtutes tuas ad gubernacula rei publicae quam susceperas admovere. 2 Precor ergo ut tibi et per te generi humano prospera omnia, id est digna saeculo tuo contingant. Fortem te et hilarem, imperator optime, et privatim et publice opto.

1 Your piety indeed, most sacred emperor, had wished that you should succeed your father as late as possible; but the immortal gods hastened to bring your virtues to the helm of the republic, which you had undertaken. 2 Therefore I pray that for you, and through you for the human race, all prosperous things— that is, things worthy of your age— may befall. I wish you, best emperor, strong and cheerful, both privately and publicly.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Exprimere, domine, verbis non possum, quantum mihi gaudium attuleris, quod me dignum putasti iure trium liberorum. Quamvis enim Iuli Serviani, optimi viri tuique amantissimi, precibus indulseris, tamen etiam ex rescripto intellego libentius hoc ei te praestitisse, quia pro me rogabat. 2 Videor ergo summam voti mei consecutus, cum inter initia felicissimi principatus tui probaveris me ad peculiarem indulgentiam tuam pertinere; eoque magis liberos concupisco, quos habere etiam illo tristissimo saeculo volui, sicut potes duobus matrimoniis meis credere.

1 I cannot express in words, lord, how much joy you have brought me, that you judged me worthy of the right of three children. For although you have indulged the prayers of Julius Servianus, an excellent man and most loving toward you, yet even from the rescript I understand that you granted this to him the more willingly, because he was asking on my behalf. 2 I seem therefore to have attained the sum of my vow, since amid the beginnings of your most fortunate principate you have approved that I pertain to your peculiar indulgence; and for that reason I desire children all the more, whom I wished to have even in that most sorrowful age, as you can believe from my two marriages.

3 Sed di melius, qui omnia integra bonitati tuae reservarunt; malui hoc potius tempore me patrem fieri, quo futurus essem et securus et felix.

3 But the gods have done better, who have reserved all things intact for your goodness; I have preferred to become a father at this time rather, when I would be both secure and happy.

3 A

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Ut primum me, domine, indulgentia vestra promovit ad praefecturam aerarii Saturni, omnibus advocationibus, quibus alioqui numquam eram promiscue functus, renuntiavi, ut toto animo delegato mihi officio vacarem. 2 Qua ex causa, cum patronum me provinciales optassent contra Marium Priscum, et petii veniam huius muneris et impetravi. Sed cum postea consul designatus censuisset agendum nobiscum, quorum erat excusatio recepta, ut essemus in senatus potestate pateremurque nomina nostra in urnam conici, convenientissimum esse tranquillitati saeculi tui putavi praesertim tam moderatae voluntati amplissimi ordinis non repugnare.

1 As soon as your indulgence, lord, advanced me to the prefecture of the treasury of Saturn, I renounced all advocations, which otherwise I had never exercised promiscuously, in order that I might be free with my whole mind for the office delegated to me. 2 For which cause, when the provincials had chosen me as patron against Marius Priscus, I both sought leave from this duty and obtained it. But when afterwards the consul designate judged that proceedings should be had with us, whose excuse had been accepted, so that we should be at the senate’s disposal and allow our names to be cast into the urn, I considered it most suitable to the tranquility of your age, especially, not to resist the so-moderate will of the most ample Order.

3 Cui obsequio meo opto, ut existimes constare rationem, cum omnia facta dictaque mea probare sanctissimis moribus tuis cupiam.

3 By this my deference I desire that you consider the rationale to be consistent, since I long to have all my deeds and words approved by your most holy morals.

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TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

Et civis et senatoris boni partibus functus es obsequium amplissimi ordinis quod iustissime exigebat, praestando. Quas partes impleturum te secundum susceptam fidem confido.

And you have performed the parts of both a citizen and a good senator, by furnishing the deference of the most distinguished Order, which it most justly required. I trust that you will fulfill these parts in accordance with the pledge undertaken.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

GAIUS PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Indulgentia tua, imperator optime, quam plenissimam experior, hortatur me, ut audeam tibi etiam pro amicis obligari; inter quos sibi vel praecipuum locum vindicat Voconius Romanus, ab ineunte aetate condiscipulus et contubernalis. 2 Quibus ex causis et a divo patre tuo petieram, ut illum in amplissimum ordinem promoveret. Sed hoc votum meum bonitati tuae reservatum est, quia mater Romani liberalitatem sestertii quadragies, quod conferre se filio codicillis ad patrem tuum scriptis professa fuerat, nondum satis legitime peregerat; quod postea fecit admonita a nobis.

1 Your indulgence, most excellent emperor, which I experience as most complete, encourages me to dare to be obligated to you even on behalf of friends; among whom Voconius Romanus claims for himself even a foremost place, a fellow-student and contubernal from earliest age. 2 For which causes I had also petitioned from your deified father that he promote him into the most ample order. But this wish of mine was reserved for your goodness, because the mother of Romanus had not yet duly completed the liberality of 4,000,000 sesterces, which she had professed, in codicils written to your father, that she would confer upon her son; which afterward she did, being admonished by us.

3 Nam fundos emancipavit, et cetera quae in emancipatione implenda solent exigi consummavit. 4 Cum sit ergo finitum, quod spes nostras morabatur, non sine magna fiducia subsigno apud te fidem pro moribus Romani mei, quos et liberalia studia exornant et eximia pietas, quae hanc ipsam matris liberalitatem et statim patris hereditatem et adoptionem a vitrico meruit. 5 Auget haec et natalium et paternarum facultatium splendor; quibus singulis multum commendationis accessurum etiam ex meis precibus indulgentiae tuae credo.

3 For she conveyed by mancipation the estates, and completed the other things which are usually required to be fulfilled in a mancipation. 4 Since therefore that which was delaying our hopes has been brought to an end, not without great confidence I countersign before you my assurance on behalf of the character of my Romanus, which is adorned both by liberal studies and by exceptional piety—by which he earned this very liberality of his mother, and forthwith his father’s inheritance, and adoption by his stepfather. 5 This too is increased by the splendor of his birth and of his paternal resources; to each several point of which I believe much recommendation will be added also from my petitions to your indulgence.

6 Rogo ergo, domine, ut me exoptatissimae mihi gratulationis compotem facias et honestis, ut spero, affectibus meis praestes, ut non in me tantum verum et in amico gloriari iudiciis tuis possim.

6 Therefore I ask, lord, that you make me the possessor of the congratulation most longed-for by me, and that you provide for my, as I hope, honorable affections, so that by your judgments I may be able to glory not only in myself but also in my friend.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Proximo anno, domine, gravissima valetudine usque ad periculum vitae vexatus iatralipten assumpsi; cuius sollicitudini et studio tuae tantum indulgentiae beneficio referre gratiam parem possum. 2 Quare rogo des ei civitatem Romanam. Est enim peregrinae condicionis manumissus a peregrina.

1 In the previous year, lord, having been vexed by a most grievous ill-health even up to the peril of life, I engaged an iatraliptes (physician-masseur); to whose solicitude and zeal I can return a gratitude equal only by the benefit of your indulgence. 2 Wherefore I ask that you give him Roman citizenship. For he is of peregrine condition, manumitted by a peregrina (a foreign woman).

Vocatur ipse Arpocras, patronam habuit Thermuthin Theonis, quae iam pridem defuncta est. Item rogo des ius Quiritium libertis Antoniae Maximillae, ornatissimae feminae, Hediae et Antoniae Harmeridi; quod a te petente patrona peto.

He himself is called Arpocras; he had as patroness Thermuthis, daughter of Theon, who long since has deceased. Likewise I ask that you grant the Quirite right to the freedwomen of Antonia Maximilla, a most distinguished woman, Hedia and Antonia Harmeris; which I ask from you at the request of their patroness.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Ago gratias, domine, quod et ius Quiritium libertis necessariae mihi feminae et civitatem Romanam Arpocrati, iatraliptae meo, sine mora indulsisti. Sed cum annos eius et censum sicut praeceperas ederem, admonitus sum a peritioribus debuisse me ante ei Alexandrinam civitatem impetrare, deinde Romanam, quoniam esset Aegyptius. 2 Ego autem, quia inter Aegyptios ceterosque peregrinos nihil interesse credebam, contentus fueram hoc solum scribere tibi, esse eum a peregrina manumissum patronamque eius iam pridem decessisse.

1 I give thanks, lord, because you granted without delay both the Quiritary right to the freedmen of the woman necessary to me, and Roman citizenship to Harpocrates, my iatralipta (massage-therapist). But when I was declaring his years and property, as you had ordered, I was admonished by more experienced men that I ought first to have obtained for him Alexandrian citizenship, then Roman, since he was an Egyptian. 2 I, however, because I believed that there was no difference between Egyptians and other peregrines (foreigners), had been content to write this only to you: that he had been manumitted by a foreign woman, and that his patroness had long since departed.

De qua ignorantia mea non queror, per quam stetit ut tibi pro eodem homine saepius obligarer. Rogo itaque, ut beneficio tuo legitime frui possim, tribuas ei et Alexandrinam civitatem [et Romanam]. Annos eius et censum, ne quid rursus indulgentiam tuam moraretur, libertis tuis quibus iusseras misi.

Concerning which ignorance of mine I do not complain, by which it came about that I was more often obligated to you on behalf of the same man. Therefore I ask, that I may legitimately enjoy your benefaction, that you grant to him both Alexandrian citizenship [and Roman]. His years and his census, lest anything again delay your indulgence, I have sent to your freedmen to whom you had given instructions.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

Civitatem Alexandrinam secundum institutionem principum non temere dare proposui. Sed cum Arpocrati, iatraliptae tuo, iam civitatem Romanam impetraveris, huic quoque petitioni tuae negare non sustineo. Tu, ex quo nomo sit, notum mihi facere debebis, ut epistulam tibi ad Pompeium Plantam praefectum Aegypti amicum meum mittam.

I have proposed, according to the institution of the emperors, not to grant Alexandrian citizenship rashly. But since you have already obtained Roman citizenship for Arpocrates, your iatralipta, I do not have the heart to deny this request of yours as well. You will have to make known to me from which nome he is, so that I may send a letter for you to Pompeius Planta, prefect of Egypt, my friend.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Cum divus pater tuus, domine, et oratione pulcherrima et honestissimo exemplo omnes cives ad munificentiam esset cohortatus, petii ab eo, ut statuas principum, quas in longinquis agris per plures successiones traditas mihi quales acceperam custodiebam, permitteret in municipium transferre adiecta sua statua. 2 Quod quidem ille mihi cum plenissimo testimonio indulserat; ego statim decurionibus scripseram, ut assignarent solum in quo templum pecunia mea exstruerem; illi in honorem operis ipsius electionem loci mihi obtulerant. 3 Sed primum mea, deinde patris tui valetudine, postea curis delegati a vobis officii retentus, nunc videor commodissime posse in rem praesentem excurrere.

1 When your deified father, lord, had exhorted all citizens to munificence both by a most beautiful oration and by a most honorable example, I asked of him that he would permit me to transfer into the municipium the statues of the emperors, which in far-flung fields, handed down to me through several successions, I was guarding just as I had received them, with his statue added. 2 This indeed he had granted to me with the fullest testimonial; I at once had written to the decurions to assign a plot of ground on which I might erect a temple at my own expense; they, in honor of the work itself, had offered to me the selection of the site. 3 But, detained first by my own health, then by the health of your father, and afterwards by the cares of the office delegated by you, I now seem most conveniently able to go out to the matter at hand.

Nam et menstruum meum Kalendis Septembribus finitur, et sequens mensis complures dies feriatos habet. 4 Rogo ergo ante omnia permittas mihi opus quod incohaturus sum exornare et tua statua; deinde, ut hoc facere quam maturissime possim, indulgeas commeatum. 5 Non est autem simplicitatis meae dissimulare apud bonitatem tuam obiter te plurimum collaturum utilitatibus rei familiaris meae.

For my monthly stipend ends on the Kalends of September, and the following month has several holidays. 4 I therefore ask before all that you permit me to adorn the work which I am about to commence with your statue as well; then, that I may be able to do this as speedily as possible, grant me leave. 5 Moreover, it is not in keeping with my simplicity to dissemble before your goodness that you will, incidentally, contribute very greatly to the interests of my family estate.

Agrorum enim, quos in eadem regione possideo, locatio, cum alioqui CCCC excedat, adeo non potest differri, ut proximam putationem novus colonus facere debeat. Praeterea continuae sterilitates cogunt me de remissionibus cogitare; quarum rationem nisi praesens inire non possum. 6 Debebo ergo, domine, indulgentiae tuae et pietatis meae celeritatem et status ordinationem, si mihi ob utraque haec dederis commeatum XXX dierum.

For the leasing of the fields which I possess in the same region, since otherwise it exceeds 400, is so little able to be deferred that a new colonus (tenant farmer) must do the next pruning. Moreover, continual sterilities compel me to think about remissions; the reckoning of which I cannot enter upon unless in person. 6 Therefore, lord, I shall owe both the speed and the ordering of the situation to your indulgence and to my pietas, if on account of both these matters you grant me leave of 30 days.

Neque enim angustius tempus praefinire possum, cum et municipium et agri de quibus loquor sint ultra centesimum et quinquagesimum lapidem.

For indeed I cannot predefine the time more narrowly, since both the municipality and the fields about which I speak are beyond the 150th milestone.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

Et multas et omnes publicas causas petendi commeatus reddidisti; mihi autem vel sola voluntas tua suffecisset. Neque enim dubito te, ut primum potueris, ad tam districtum officium reversurum. Statuam poni mihi a te eo quo desideras loco, quamquam eius modi honorum parcissimus tamen patior, ne impedisse cursum erga me pietatis tuae videar.

And you have rendered many reasons, and all of them public, for seeking a leave of absence; yet for me even your will alone would have sufficed. For I do not doubt that, as soon as you are able, you will return to so strict an office. That a statue be set up for me by you in the place which you desire, although I am most sparing of honors of this sort, nevertheless I allow, lest I seem to have impeded the course of your piety toward me.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Exprimere, domine, verbis non possum, quanto me gaudio affecerint epistulae tuae, ex quibus cognovi te Arpocrati, iatraliptae meo, et Alexandrinam civitatem tribuisse, quamvis secundum institutionem principum non temere eam dare proposuisses. Esse autem Arpocran νομοῦ . . . μεμφίτου indico tibi. 2 Rogo ergo, indulgentissime imperator, ut mihi ad Pompeium Plantam praefectum Aegypti amicum tuum, sicut promisisti, epistulam mittas.

1 I cannot express in words, lord, how much joy your letters have given me, from which I learned that you granted to Arpocrates, my iatralipta, even Alexandrian citizenship, although in accordance with the institution of the principes you had proposed not to grant it rashly. Moreover, I inform you that Arpocrates is of the . . . Memphite nome. 2 Therefore I ask, most indulgent emperor, that you send a letter for me to Pompeius Planta, prefect of Egypt, your friend, as you promised.

Obviam iturus, quo maturius, domine, exoptatissimi adventus tui gaudio frui possim, rogo permittas mihi quam longissime occurrere tibi.

Going to meet you, so that the sooner, lord, I may be able to enjoy the joy of your most longed-for arrival, I ask that you permit me to come out to meet you as far as possible.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Proxima infirmitas mea, domine, obligavit me Postumio Marino medico; cui parem gratiam referre beneficio tuo possum, si precibus meis ex consuetudine bonitatis tuae indulseris. 2 Rogo ergo, ut propinquis eius des civitatem, Chrysippo Mithridatis uxorique Chrysippi, Stratonicae Epigoni, item liberis eiusdem Chrysippi, Epigono et Mithridati, ita ut sint in patris potestate utque iis in libertos servetur ius patronorum. Item rogo indulgeas ius Quiritium L. Satrio Abascanto et P. Caesio Phosphoro et Panchariae Soteridi; quod a te volentibus patronis peto.

1 My most recent infirmity, lord, has obligated me to the physician Postumius Marinus; to whom I can return an equal favor by your beneficence, if you will indulge my prayers in accordance with your customary goodness. 2 I ask, therefore, that you grant citizenship to his relatives—Chrysippus, son of Mithridates, and Chrysippus’s wife, Stratonice, daughter of Epigonus—likewise to the children of the same Chrysippus, Epigonus and Mithridates, in such a way that they be under the father’s potestas and that for them, over their freedmen, the right of patrons be preserved. Likewise I ask that you indulge the Quiritarian right to L. Satrius Abascantus and P. Caesius Phosphorus and Pancharia, of Soterides; which I request from you with the patrons consenting.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Scio, domine, memoriae tuae, quae est bene faciendi tenacissima, preces nostras inhaerere. Quia tamen in hoc quoque indulsisti, admoneo simul et impense rogo, ut Attium Suram praetura exornare digneris, cum locus vacet. 2 Ad quam spem alioqui quietissimum hortatur et natalium splendor et summa integritas in paupertate et ante omnia felicitas temporum, quae bonam conscientiam civium tuorum ad usum indulgentiae tuae provocat et attollit.

1 I know, lord, that to your memory—which is most tenacious in well-doing—our petitions cling. Since, however, you have indulged even this, I both remind and earnestly beg that you deign to adorn Attius Sura with the praetorship, whenever a place is vacant. 2 To this hope there urge on, in a man otherwise most quiet, both the splendor of his birth and the highest integrity in poverty, and, before all, the felicity of the times, which calls forth and uplifts the good conscience of your citizens to the exercise of your indulgence.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

Cum sciam, domine, ad testimonium laudemque morum meorum pertinere tam boni principis iudicio exornari, rogo dignitati, ad quam me provexit indulgentia tua, vel auguratum vel septemviratum, quia vacant adicere digneris, ut iure sacerdotii precari deos pro te publice possim, quos nunc precor pietate privata.

Since I know, lord, that to be adorned by the judgment of so good a prince pertains to the testimony and praise of my character, I ask that to the dignity to which your indulgence has advanced me you may deign to add either the augurship or the septemvirate, because they are vacant, so that by the right of priesthood I may be able to pray to the gods publicly on your behalf, whom I now entreat with private piety.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

Victoriae tuae, optime imperator, maximae, pulcherrimae, antiquissimae et tuo nomine et rei publicae gratulor, deosque immortales precor, ut omnes cogitationes tuas tam laetus sequatur eventus, cum virtutibus tantis gloria imperii et novetur et augeatur.

I congratulate your victories, most excellent emperor, the greatest, most beautiful, most ancient, both in your name and that of the commonwealth, and I pray to the immortal gods that so happy an outcome may follow all your designs, so that, with such great virtues, the glory of the empire may both be renewed and augmented.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

Quia confido, domine, ad curam tuam pertinere, nuntio tibi me Ephesum cum omnibus meis ὑπὲρ . . . μαλέαν navigasse quamvis contrariis ventis retentum. Nunc destino partim orariis navibus, partim vehiculis provinciam petere. Nam sicut itineri graues aestus, ita continuae navigationi etesiae reluctantur.

Because I trust, lord, that this pertains to your care, I announce to you that I have sailed to Ephesus with all my people past . . . Malea, although detained by contrary winds. I now intend to make for the province partly by coasting ships, partly by vehicles. For just as heavy heats oppose a journey, so the Etesian winds are adverse to continuous navigation.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

Recte renuntiasti, mi Secunde carissime. Pertinet enim ad animum meum, quali itinere provinciam pervenias. Prudenter autem constituis interim navibus, interim vehiculis uti, prout loca suaserint.

You have reported rightly, my dearest Secundus. For it pertains to my mind by what itinerary you reach the province. And prudently you determine to use now ships, now vehicles, as the places suggest.

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C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Sicut saluberrimam navigationem, domine, usque Ephesum expertus ita inde, postquam vehiculis iter facere coepi, gravissimis aestibus atque etiam febriculis vexatus Pergami substiti. 2 Rursus, cum transissem in orarias nauculas, contrariis ventis retentus aliquanto tardius quam speraveram, id est XV Kal. Octobres, Bithyniam intravi.

1 Just as I experienced a most healthful voyage, lord, as far as Ephesus, so from there, after I began to make the journey by carriages, harassed by the most oppressive heats and even slight fevers, I halted at Pergamum. 2 Again, when I had crossed over into coastal little boats, held back by contrary winds, somewhat later than I had hoped, that is, on September 17, I entered Bithynia.

Non possum tamen de mora queri, cum mihi contigerit, quod erat auspicatissimum, natalem tuum in provincia celebrare. 3 Nunc rei publicae Prusensium impendia, reditus, debitores excutio; quod ex ipso tractatu magis ac magis necessarium intellego. Multae enim pecuniae variis ex causis a privatis detinentur; praeterea quaedam minime legitimis sumptibus erogantur.

Nevertheless, I cannot complain about the delay, since it befell me—what was most auspicious—to celebrate your natal day in the province. 3 Now I am examining the expenditures, revenues, and debtors of the commonwealth of the Prusenses; a thing which, from the very handling, I understand to be more and more necessary. For many sums of money are detained by private persons for various causes; moreover certain funds are disbursed on expenditures by no means legitimate.

4 Haec tibi, domine, in ipso ingressu meo scripsi.

4 These things I have written to you, lord, at my very entry.

17 B

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Quinto decimo Kal. Octob., domine, provinciam intravi, quam in eo obsequio, in ea erga te fide, quam de genere humano mereris, inveni. 2 Dispice, domine, an necessarium putes mittere huc mensorem.

1 On the fifteenth day before the Kalends of October, lord, I entered the province, which I found in that obedience, in that loyalty toward you, which you deserve from the human race. 2 Consider, lord, whether you think it necessary to send a surveyor here.

Videntur enim non mediocres pecuniae posse revocari a curatoribus operum, si mensurae fideliter agantur. Ita certe prospicio ex ratione Prusensium, quam cum maxime tracto.

For it seems that no mediocre monies can be called back from the curators of the works, if the measures are carried out faithfully. Thus certainly I foresee from the reckoning of the people of Prusa, which I am at this very moment handling most closely.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

1 Cuperem sine querela corpusculi tui et tuorum pervenire in Bithyniam potuisses, ac simile tibi iter ab Epheso ei navigationi fuisset, quam expertus usque illo eras. 2 Quo autem die pervenisses in Bithyniam, cognovi, Secunde carissime, litteris tuis. Provinciales, credo, prospectum sibi a me intellegent.

1 I could wish that, without complaint of your person and of your people, you might have arrived in Bithynia, and that the journey for you from Ephesus had been similar to that navigation which you had experienced up to that point. 2 As for the day on which you had arrived in Bithynia, I learned it, dearest Secundus, from your letters. The provincials, I believe, will understand that provision has been made for them by me.

Nam et tu dabis operam, ut manifestum sit illis electum te esse, qui ad eosdem mei loco mittereris. 3 Rationes autem in primis tibi rerum publicarum excutiendae sunt; nam et esse eas vexatas satis constat. Mensores vix etiam iis operibus, quae aut Romae aut in proximo fiunt, sufficientes habeo; sed in omni provincia inveniuntur, quibus credi possit, et ideo non deerunt tibi, modo velis diligenter excutere.

For you too will take pains that it be manifest to them that you have been chosen, you who are being sent to those same people in my stead. 3 But first of all, the accounts of the municipalities are to be sifted by you; for it is quite agreed that they have been harassed. I scarcely have surveyors sufficient even for those works which are done either at Rome or in the neighborhood; but in every province there are found those in whom trust may be placed, and therefore surveyors will not be lacking to you, provided you are willing to examine diligently.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Rogo, domine, consilio me regas haesitantem, utrum per publicos civitatium servos, quod usque adhuc factum, an per milites asservare custodias debeam. Vereor enim, ne et per publicos parum fideliter custodiantur, et non exiguum militum numerum haec cura distringat. 2 Interim publicis servis paucos milites addidi.

1 I ask, lord, that you guide me with counsel as I hesitate, whether I ought to maintain the guard-duties through the public slaves of the cities, which has been done up to now, or through soldiers. For I fear lest both, if through public slaves, they are guarded too little faithfully, and that this care may distract no small number of soldiers. 2 Meanwhile I have added a few soldiers to the public slaves.

Video tamen periculum esse, ne id ipsum utrisque neglegentiae causa sit, dum communem culpam hi in illos, illi in hos regerere posse confidunt.

I see, however, that there is a danger, lest that very thing be a cause of negligence for both sides, while these trust that they can throw the common blame onto those, and those onto these.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

1 Nihil opus sit, mi Secunde carissime, ad continendas custodias plures commilitones converti. Perseveremus in ea consuetudine quae isti provinciae est, ut per publicos servos custodiantur. 2 Etenim, ut fideliter hoc faciant, in tua severitate ac diligentia positum est.

1 Let there be no need, my dearest Secundus, to divert more fellow-soldiers for maintaining the guards. Let us persevere in that custom which is of that province, that they be guarded by public slaves. 2 For indeed, that they do this faithfully is set in your severity and diligence.

In primis enim, sicut scribis, verendum est, ne, si permisceantur servis publicis milites, mutua inter se fiducia neglegentiores sint; sed et illud haereat nobis, quam paucissimos a signis avocandos esse.

First of all, indeed, as you write, it is to be feared lest, if soldiers are mixed with public slaves, they become more negligent through mutual confidence among themselves; but let this also remain with us: that as few as possible are to be detached from the standards.

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1 Gavius Bassus praefectus orae Ponticae et reverentissime et officiosissime, domine, venit ad me et compluribus diebus fuit mecum, quantum perspicere potui, vir egregius et indulgentia tua dignus. Cui ego notum feci praecepisse te ut ex cohortibus, quibus me praeesse voluisti, contentus esset beneficiariis decem, equitibus duobus, centurione uno. 2 Respondit non sufficere sibi hunc numerum, idque se scripturum tibi.

1 Gavius Bassus, prefect of the Pontic shore, both most reverently and most dutifully, lord, came to me and was with me for several days, as far as I could discern, an outstanding man and worthy of your indulgence. To him I made known that you had instructed that, from the cohorts which you wished me to command, he should be content with ten beneficiarii, two horsemen, one centurion. 2 He replied that this number did not suffice for him, and that he would write this to you.

Hoc in causa fuit, quominus statim revocandos putarem, quos habet supra numerum.

This was the cause why I did not think that those whom he has beyond the number should be recalled immediately.

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1 Et mihi scripsit Gavius Bassus non sufficere sibi eum militum numerum, qui ut daretur illi, mandatis meis complexus sum. Cui quae rescripsissem, ut notum haberes, his litteris subici iussi. Multum interest, res poscat an hoc nomine eis uti latius velit.

1 And Gavius Bassus also wrote to me that that number of soldiers did not suffice for him, which, to be given to him, I had encompassed in my mandates. What I wrote back to him, so that you might have it known, I ordered to be subjoined to these letters. It makes much difference whether the matter demands it, or whether under this pretext he wishes to employ them more broadly.

2 Nobis autem utilitas demum spectanda est, et, quantum fieri potest, curandum ne milites a signis absint.

2 But our advantage is the thing to be considered in the end, and, so far as it can be done, care must be taken that the soldiers not be absent from their standards.

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1 Prusenses, domine, balineum habent; est sordidum et vetus. Itaque magni aestimant novum fieri; quod videris mihi desiderio eorum indulgere posse. 2 Erit enim pecunia, ex qua fiat, primum ea quam revocare a privatis et exigere iam coepi; deinde quam ipsi erogare in oleum soliti parati sunt in opus balinei conferre; quod alioqui et dignitas civitatis et saeculi tui nitor postulat.

1 The Prusans, lord, have a bathhouse; it is sordid and old. Therefore they set great value on a new one being made; and you seem to me able to indulge their desire. 2 For there will be money from which it may be made: first, that which I have already begun to recover and exact from private individuals; then, that which they themselves have been accustomed to disburse for oil they are ready to contribute to the work of the bathhouse; which, moreover, both the dignity of the city and the splendor of your age demand.

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Si instructio novi balinei oneratura vires Prusensium non est, possumus desiderio eorum indulgere, modo ne quid ideo aut intribuatur aut minus illis in posterum fiat ad necessarias erogationes.

If the outfitting of the new bath is not going to burden the resources of the Prusans, we can indulge their desire, provided that on that account nothing is either levied, or anything less be done for them in the future toward necessary disbursements.

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Servilius Pudens legatus, domine, VIII Kal. Decembres Nicomediam venit meque longae exspectationis sollicitudine liberavit.

Servilius Pudens, the legate, lord, came to Nicomedia on November 24 and freed me from the solicitude of a long expectation.

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1 Rosianum Geminum, domine, artissimo vinculo mecum tua in me beneficia iunxerunt; habui enim illum quaestorem in consulatu. Mei sum observantissimum expertus; tantam mihi post consulatum reverentiam praestat, et publicae necessitudinis pignera privatis cumulat officiis. 2 Rogo ergo, ut ipse apud te pro dignitate eius precibus meis faveas.

1 Rosianus Geminus, lord, your benefits toward me have joined him to me by the closest bond; for I had him as quaestor in my consulship. I have found him most observant of me; he shows me such reverence after my consulship, and he heaps up the pledges of our public connection with private offices. 2 I therefore ask that you yourself, before you, favor my entreaties on behalf of his dignity.

Cui et, si quid mihi credis, indulgentiam tuam dabis; dabit ipse operam ut in iis, quae ei mandaveris, maiora mereatur. Parciorem me in laudando facit, quod spero tibi et integritatem eius et probitatem et industriam non solum ex eius honoribus, quos in urbe sub oculis tuis gessit, verum etiam ex commilitio esse notissimam. 3 Illud unum, quod propter caritatem eius nondum mihi videor satis plene fecisse, etiam atque etiam facio teque, domine, rogo, gaudere me exornata quaestoris mei dignitate, id est per illum mea, quam maturissime velis.

To whom also, if you believe me in anything, you will grant your indulgence; he himself will give effort that, in those things which you shall have entrusted to him, he may merit greater things. More sparing in praising does it make me, because I hope that to you both his integrity and probity and industry are most well known not only from his honors, which he bore in the city under your eyes, but also from comradeship-in-arms. 3 This one thing, which on account of my affection for him I do not yet seem to myself to have done quite fully, I do again and again, and I, lord, beg you to be willing, as very speedily as possible, to make me rejoice by the adorned dignity of my quaestor—that is, through him, my own.

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Maximus libertus et procurator tuus, domine, praeter decem beneficiarios, quos assignari a me Gemellino optimo viro iussisti, sibi quoque confirmat necessarios esse milites sex. Hos interim, sicut inveneram, in ministerio eius relinquendos existimavi, praesertim cum ad frumentum comparandum iret in Paphlagoniam. Quin etiam tutelae causa, quia ita desiderabat, addidi duos equites.

Maximus, your freedman and procurator, lord, besides the ten beneficiaries whom you ordered to be assigned by me to Gemellinus, a most excellent man, also affirms that six soldiers are necessary for himself. These, meanwhile, just as I had found them, I judged should be left in his service, especially since he was going into Paphlagonia to procure grain. Nay more, for the sake of protection, because he so desired, I added two cavalrymen.

In futurum, quid servari velis, rogo rescribas.

For the future, what you wish to be kept, I ask that you write back.

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Nunc quidem proficiscentem ad comparationem frumentorum Maximum libertum meum recte militibus instruxisti. Fungebatur enim et ipse extraordinario munere. Cum ad pristinum actum reversus fuerit, sufficient illi duo a te dati milites et totidem a Virdio Gemellino procuratore meo, quem adiuvat.

Now indeed, as he sets out for the procurement of grain, you have rightly equipped with soldiers Maximus, my freedman. For he himself too was discharging an extraordinary function. When he has returned to his former function, the two soldiers given by you will suffice for him, and just as many from Virdio Gemellino, my procurator, whom he assists.

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1 Sempronius Caelianus, egregius iuvenis, repertos inter tirones duos servos misit ad me; quorum ego supplicium distuli, ut te conditorem disciplinae militaris firmatoremque consulerem de modo poenae. 2 Ipse enim dubito ob hoc maxime quod, ut iam dixerant sacramento, ita nondum distributi in numeros erant. Quid ergo debeam sequi rogo, domine, scribas, praesertim cum pertineat ad exemplum.

1 Sempronius Caelianus, an outstanding young man, sent to me two slaves found among the recruits; I deferred their punishment, so that I might consult you, the founder and strengthener of military discipline, about the measure of the penalty. 2 For I myself am in doubt chiefly for this reason, that, although they had already sworn the military oath, yet they had not yet been distributed into the units. Therefore what I ought to follow, I ask, lord, that you write, especially since it pertains to precedent.

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1 Secundum mandata mea fecit Sempronius Caelianus mittendo ad te eos, de quibus cognosci oportebit, an capitale supplicium meruisse videantur. Refert autem, voluntarii se obtulerint an lecti sint vel etiam vicarii dati. 2 Lecti <si> sunt, inquisitio peccavit; si vicarii dati, penes eos culpa est qui dederunt; si ipsi, cum haberent condicionis suae conscientiam, venerunt, animadvertendum in illos erit.

1 Sempronius Caelianus has acted according to my mandates by sending to you those about whom it ought to be ascertained whether they seem to have merited capital punishment. It also matters whether they offered themselves as volunteers, or were selected, or even whether substitutes (vicarii) were provided. 2 If they were selected, the inquiry has erred; if substitutes were provided, the blame rests with those who provided them; if they themselves, being conscious of their own condition, came, it will be necessary to proceed against them.

Neque enim multum interest, quod nondum per numeros distributi sunt. Ille enim dies, quo primum probati sunt, veritatem ab iis originis suae exegit.

Nor indeed does it make much difference that they have not yet been distributed by numbers. For that day, on which they were first proved, exacted from them the truth of their origin.

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1 Salva magnitudine tua, domine, descendas oportet ad meas curas, cum ius mihi dederis referendi ad te, de quibus dubito. 2 In plerisque civitatibus, maxime Nicomediae et Nicaeae, quidam vel in opus damnati vel in ludum similiaque his genera poenarum publicorum servorum officio ministerioque funguntur, atque etiam ut publici servi annua accipiunt. Quod ego cum audissem, diu multumque haesitavi, quid facere deberem.

1 With your Magnitude safe, lord, it is fitting that you descend to my concerns, since you have given me the right of referring to you those matters about which I am in doubt. 2 In very many cities, especially at Nicomedia and at Nicaea, certain persons either condemned to labor or to the training-school and similar kinds of penalties perform the office and ministry of the public slaves, and even receive annual pay as public slaves. When I heard this, I hesitated long and much as to what I ought to do.

3 Nam et reddere poenae post longum tempus plerosque iam senes et, quantum affirmatur, frugaliter modesteque viventes nimis severum arbitrabar, et in publicis officiis retinere damnatos non satis honestum putabam; eosdem rursus a re publica pasci otiosos inutile, non pasci etiam periculosum existimabam. 4 Necessario ergo rem totam, dum te consulerem, in suspenso reliqui. Quaeres fortasse, quem ad modum evenerit, ut poenis in quas damnati erant exsolverentur: et ego quaesii, sed nihil comperi, quod affirmare tibi possim.

3 For both to restore to punishment after a long time men, most of them now old, and, so far as is affirmed, living frugally and modestly, I judged too severe; and to retain the condemned in public offices I thought not sufficiently honorable; the same men, on the other hand, to be fed by the commonwealth while idle I deemed unprofitable, and not to feed them even dangerous. 4 Of necessity, therefore, I left the whole matter in suspense while I consulted you. You will perhaps ask in what manner it came about that they were released from the penalties to which they had been condemned: and I too have inquired, but I have discovered nothing that I can affirm to you.

Ut decreta quibus damnati erant proferebantur, ita nulla monumenta quibus liberati probarentur. 5 Erant tamen, qui dicerent deprecantes iussu proconsulum legatorumve dimissos. Addebat fidem, quod credibile erat neminem hoc ausum sine auctore.

Just as the decrees by which they had been condemned were produced, so there were no records by which it could be proved that they had been released. 5 There were, however, those who said that, upon petition, they had been dismissed by order of proconsuls or of legates. This added credence, since it was credible that no one would have dared this without an authorizing authority.

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1 Meminerimus idcirco te in istam provinciam missum, quoniam multa in ea emendanda apparuerint. Erit autem vel hoc maxime corrigendum, quod qui damnati ad poenam erant, non modo ea sine auctore, ut scribis, liberati sunt, sed etiam in condicionem proborum ministrorum retrahuntur. 2 Qui igitur intra hos proximos decem annos damnati nec ullo idoneo auctore liberati sunt, hos oportebit poenae suae reddi; si qui vetustiores invenientur et senes ante annos decem damnati, distribuamus illos in ea ministeria, quae non longe a poena sint.

1 Let us remember that for this reason you were sent into that province, since many things in it have appeared to be in need of emendation. But this above all will have to be corrected: that those who had been condemned to penalty have not only, as you write, been released from it without an authorizer, but are even being drawn back into the condition of upright attendants. 2 Those therefore who within these most recent ten years were condemned and were released without any suitable authorizer, these must be returned to their penalty; if any older ones shall be found, and aged men condemned before ten years ago, let us assign them to those services which are not far from penalty.

Solent et ad balineum, ad purgationes cloacarum, item munitiones viarum et vicorum dari.

They are also accustomed to be assigned to the bath, to the purgations of the sewers, likewise to the repairs of roads and streets.

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1 Cum diversam partem provinciae circumirem, Nicomediae vastissimum incendium multas privatorum domos et duo publica opera, quamquam via interiacente, Gerusian et Iseon absumpsit. 2 Est autem latius sparsum, primum violentia venti, deinde inertia hominum quos satis constat otiosos et immobiles tanti mali spectatores perstitisse; et alioqui nullus usquam in publico sipo, nulla hama, nullum denique instrumentum ad incendia compescenda. Et haec quidem, ut iam praecepi, parabuntur; 3 tu, domine, dispice an instituendum putes collegium fabrorum dumtaxat hominum CL. Ego attendam, ne quis nisi faber recipiatur neve iure concesso in aliud utantur; nec erit difficile custodire tam paucos.

1 While I was making a circuit of a different part of the province, at Nicomedia a most vast conflagration consumed many private houses and two public works, although a roadway lay between, the Gerusia and the Iseum. 2 It was spread more widely, first by the violence of the wind, then by the inertia of people who, as is well attested, remained idle and motionless as spectators of so great an evil; and otherwise there is nowhere in public any siphon, no bucket, no, in short, implement for checking fires. And these things indeed, as I have already ordered, will be procured; 3 you, lord, consider whether you think a collegium of smiths ought to be instituted, limited to 150 men only. I will see to it that no one be admitted unless a smith, nor that they use the right granted for anything else; nor will it be difficult to keep watch over so few.

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1 Tibi quidem secundum exempla complurium in mentem venit posse collegium fabrorum apud Nicomedenses constitui. Sed meminerimus provinciam istam et praecipue eas civitates eius modi factionibus esse vexatas. Quodcumque nomen ex quacumque causa dederimus iis, qui in idem contracti fuerint, hetaeriae eaeque brevi fient.

1 Indeed, according to the examples of several, it has come into your mind that a collegium of craftsmen can be established among the Nicomedians. But let us remember that that province, and especially those cities, have been vexed by factions of this kind. Whatever name for whatever cause we may have given to those who have been drawn together into the same thing, they will become hetaeriae, and these will come to be shortly.

2 Satius itaque est comparari ea, quae ad coercendos ignes auxilio esse possint, admonerique dominos praediorum, ut et ipsi inhibeant ac, si res poposcerit, accursu populi ad hoc uti.

2 Therefore it is better that those things which may be of assistance for coercing fires be prepared, and that the owners of estates be admonished, so that they themselves also inhibit them and, if the matter shall require, make use of the populace’s rush for this.

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Sollemnia vota pro incolumitate tua, qua publica salus continetur, et suscepimus, domine, pariter et solvimus precati deos, ut velint ea semper solvi semperque signari.

The solemn vows for your safety, in which the public well‑being is contained, we have both undertaken, lord, and likewise discharged, having prayed the gods that they be willing for these always to be discharged and always to be recorded.

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Et solvisse vos cum provincialibus dis immortalibus vota pro mea salute et incolumitate et nuncupasse libenter, mi Secunde carissime, cognovi ex litteris tuis.

And that you, together with the provincials, have paid vows to the immortal gods for my health and safety, and have gladly made formal vows, my dearest Secundus, I learned from your letter.

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1 In aquae ductum, domine, Nicomedenses impenderunt HS XXX CCCXVIII, qui imperfectus adhuc omissus, destructus etiam est; rursus in alium ductum erogata sunt CC. Hoc quoque relicto novo impendio est opus, ut aquam habeant, qui tantam pecuniam male perdiderunt. 2 Ipse perveni ad fontem purissimum, ex quo videtur aqua debere perduci, sicut initio temptatum erat, arcuato opere, ne tantum ad plana civitatis et humilia perveniat. Manent adhuc paucissimi arcus: possunt et erigi quidam lapide quadrato, qui ex superiore opere detractus est; aliqua pars, ut mihi videtur, testaceo opere agenda erit, id enim et facilius et vilius.

1 For an aqueduct, lord, the Nicomedians expended HS 30 318, which, still unfinished, was abandoned and even destroyed; again, for another conduit, 200 were disbursed. With this too left aside, a new outlay is needed, that they may have water, they who have badly squandered so great a sum. 2 I myself came to a most pure spring, from which the water seems it ought to be conducted, as was attempted at the beginning, by arcaded work, lest it reach only the level and low parts of the city. Very few arches still remain: some too can be raised with squared stone, which has been taken down from the upper structure; some part, as it seems to me, will have to be done in testaceous (brick) work, for that is both easier and cheaper.

3 Sed in primis necessarium est mitti a te vel aquilegem vel architectum, ne rursus eveniat quod accidit. Ego illud unum affirmo, et utilitatem operis et pulchritudinem saeculo tuo esse dignissimam.

3 But above all it is necessary that there be sent by you either a water‑engineer or an architect, lest what happened happen again. This one thing I affirm: both the utility of the work and its beauty are most worthy of your age.

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Curandum est, ut aqua in Nicomedensem civitatem perducatur. Vere credo te ea, qua debebis, diligentia hoc opus aggressurum. Sed medius fidius ad eandem diligentiam tuam pertinet inquirere, quorum vitio ad hoc tempus tantam pecuniam Nicomedenses perdiderint, ne, dum inter se gratificantur, et incohaverint aquae ductus et reliquerint.

It must be seen to that water be conducted into the Nicomedian city. Truly I believe that you will undertake this work with that diligence which you ought. But, by heaven, it also pertains to that same diligence of yours to inquire through whose fault up to this time the Nicomedians have lost so great a sum of money, lest, while they are gratifying one another, they both have begun aqueducts and have left them.

Quid itaque compereris, perfer in notitiam meam.

Therefore, whatever you shall have discovered, bring to my knowledge.

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1 Theatrum, domine, Nicaeae maxima iam parte constructum, imperfectum tamen, sestertium - ut audio; neque enim ratio operis excussa est - amplius centies hausit: vereor ne frustra. 2 Ingentibus enim rimis desedit et hiat, sive in causa solum umidum et molle, sive lapis ipse gracilis et putris: dignum est certe deliberatione, sitne faciendum an sit relinquendum an etiam destruendum. Nam fulturae ac substructiones, quibus subinde suscipitur, non tam firmae mihi quam sumptuosae uidentur.

1 The theater, lord, at Nicaea, now for the greatest part constructed, yet unfinished, has swallowed—so I hear; for the account of the work has not been examined—more than 10,000,000 sesterces: I fear lest in vain. 2 For it has subsided and gapes with huge cracks, whether the cause be the soil moist and soft, or the stone itself slight and rotten: it is certainly worthy of deliberation, whether it should be completed or left alone, or even destroyed. For the shorings and substructures, by which it is from time to time supported, seem to me not so firm as costly.

3 Huic theatro ex priuatorum pollicitationibus multa debentur, ut basilicae circa, ut porticus supra caveam. Quae nunc omnia differuntur cessante eo, quod ante peragendum est. 4 Iidem Nicaeenses gymnasium incendio amissum ante aduentum meum restituere coeperunt, longe numerosius laxiusque quam fuerat, et iam aliquantum erogauerunt; periculum est, ne parum utiliter; incompositum enim et sparsum est.

3 To this theater, from the pledges of private individuals, many things are owed, such as basilicas around it, such as a portico above the cavea. All of which are now being deferred, with that which must first be accomplished standing idle. 4 The same Nicaeans began to restore the gymnasium, lost by conflagration before my advent, on a plan far more numerous and laxer than it had been, and already they have disbursed some amount; there is danger that it is of too little use; for it is ill-composed and scattered.

Praeterea architectus, sane aemulus eius a quo opus incohatum est, adfirmat parietes quamquam uiginti et duos pedes latos imposita onera sustinere non posse, quia sine caemento medii farti nec testaceo opere praecincti.

Moreover, the architect, indeed emulous of the one by whom the work was begun, affirms that the walls, although twenty-two feet broad, cannot sustain the loads imposed, because in the middle they are packed without mortar and are not banded with brickwork.

5 Claudiopolitani quoque in depresso loco, imminente etiam monte ingens balineum defodiunt magis quam aedificant, et quidem ex ea pecunia, quam buleutae additi beneficio tuo aut iam obtulerunt ob introitum aut nobis exigentibus conferent. 6 Ergo cum timeam ne illic publica pecunia, hic, quod est omni pecunia pretiosius, munus tuum male collocetur, cogor petere a te non solum ob theatrum, uerum etiam ob haec balinea mittas architectum, dispecturum utrum sit utilius post sumptum qui factus est quoquo modo consummare opera? ut incohata sunt, an quae uidentur emendanda corrigere, quae transferenda transferre, ne dum servare uolumus quod impensum est, male impendamus quod addendum est.

5 The Claudiopolitans too, in a sunken place, with a mountain even overhanging, are digging down rather than building a huge bath, and indeed out of that money which the bouleutae, added thanks to your benefaction, have either already offered for their entry-fee or, with us exacting it, will contribute. 6 Therefore, since I fear lest there public money, and here—what is more precious than all money—your gift, be badly invested, I am compelled to ask you to send an architect not only on account of the theatre, but also on account of these baths, to survey whether it is more expedient, after the expenditure which has been made, to complete the works in whatever way as they have been begun, or to correct what seems in need of amendment, to transfer what ought to be transferred, lest while we wish to save what has been spent, we ill-spend what must be added.

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1 Quid oporteat fieri circa theatrum, quod incohatum apud Nicaeenses est, in re praesenti optime deliberabis et constitues. Mihi sufficiet indicari, cui sententiae accesseris: Tunc autem a priuatis exige opera, cum theatrum, propter quod illa promissa sunt, factum erit. 2 Gymnasiis indulgent Graeculi; ideo forsitan Nicaeenses maiore animo constructionem eius aggressi sunt: sed oportet illos eo contentos esse, quod possit illis sufficere.

1 What ought to be done concerning the theater, which has been initiated among the Nicaeans, you will best deliberate and determine in the present matter. It will suffice for me to be informed to which opinion you have acceded: Then, however, exact the services from private individuals when the theater, for the sake of which those things were promised, has been completed. 2 The little Greeks indulge in gymnasia; therefore perhaps the Nicaeans have undertaken its construction with greater spirit: but it is proper that they be content with that which can suffice for them.

3 Quid Claudiopolitanis circa balineum quod parum, ut scribis, idoneo loco incohauerunt suadendum sit, tu constitues. Architecti tibi deesse non possunt. Nulla prouincia non et peritos et ingeniosos homines habet; modo ne existimes breuius esse ab urbe mitti, cum ex Graecia etiam ad nos uenire soliti sint.

3 What should be advised to the Claudiopolitans concerning the bath which they have begun, in a location, as you write, not very suitable, you will determine. Architects cannot be lacking to you. No province fails to have both experienced and ingenious men; only do not think it is quicker to have them sent from the City, since from Greece they have even been accustomed to come to us.

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GAIUS PLINY TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Intuenti mihi et fortunae tuae et animi magnitudinem conuenientissimum uidetur demonstrari opera non minus aeternitate tua quam gloria digna, quantumque pulchritudinis tantum utilitatis habitura. 2 Est in Nicomedensium finibus amplissimus lacus. Per hunc marmora fructus ligna materiae et sumptu modico et labore usque ad uiam nauibus, inde magno labore maiore impendio uehiculis ad mare deuehuntur ... hoc opus multas manus poscit.

1 As I consider both your fortune and the greatness of your spirit, it seems most fitting that works be pointed out worthy no less of your eternity than of your glory, and destined to have as much usefulness as beauty. 2 There is within the borders of the Nicomedians a very large lake. Across this, marbles, fruits, and woods for timber are conveyed with modest expense and effort by boats as far as the road; from there they are carried down to the sea by vehicles with great toil and greater outlay ... this work calls for many hands.

At eae porro non desunt. Nam et in agris magna copia est hominum et maxima in civitate, certaque spes omnes libentissime aggressuros opus omnibus fructuosum. 3 Superest ut tu libratorem vel architectum si tibi videbitur mittas, qui diligenter exploret, sitne lacus altior mari, quem artifices regionis huius quadraginta cubitis altiorem esse contendunt.

But those, moreover, are not lacking. For both in the fields there is a great supply of men and the greatest in the city, and there is a sure hope that all will most willingly undertake a work fruitful to all. 3 It remains that you send a surveyor (librator) or an architect, if it seems good to you, who may carefully explore whether the lake is higher than the sea, which the artificers of this region contend to be higher by 40 cubits.

4 Ego per eadem loca invenio fossam a rege percussam, sed incertum utrum ad colligendum umorem circumiacentium agrorum an ad committendum flumini lacum; est enim imperfecta. Hoc quoque dubium, intercepto rege mortalitate an desperato operis effectu. 5 Sed hoc ipso - feres enim me ambitiosum pro tua gloria - incitor et accendor, ut cupiam peragi a te quae tantum coeperant reges.

4 I, through the same places, find a trench cut by a king, but it is uncertain whether for collecting the moisture of the surrounding fields or for committing the lake to the river; for it is unfinished. This too is doubtful, whether the king was intercepted by mortality or the effect of the work was despaired of. 5 But by this very thing - for you will bear me ambitious for your glory - I am incited and inflamed, so that I desire to have carried through by you the things which kings had only begun.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

Potest nos sollicitare lacus iste, ut committere illum mari velimus; sed plane explorandum est diligenter, ne si emissus in mare fuerit totus effluat certe, quantum aquarum et unde accipiat. Poteris a Calpurnio Macro petere libratorem, et ego hinc aliquem tibi peritum eius modi operum mittam.

This lake may solicit us to wish to commit it to the sea; but plainly it must be explored diligently, lest, if it should be emitted into the sea, it flow out entirely—do ascertain, to be sure, how much water it receives and whence. You will be able to ask Calpurnius Macro for a surveyor, and I too will send you from here someone skilled in works of this sort.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Requirenti mihi Byzantiorum rei publicae impendia, quae maxima fecit, indicatum est, domine, legatum ad te salutandum annis omnibus cum psephismate mitti, eique dari nummorum duodena milia. 2 Memor ergo propositi tui legatum quidem retinendum, psephisma autem mittendum putavi, ut simul et sumptus levaretur et impleretur publicum officium. 3 Eidem civitati imputata sunt terna milia, quae viatici nomine annua dabantur legato eunti ad eum qui Moesiae praeest publice salutandum.

1 As I was inquiring into the expenditures of the commonwealth of the Byzantines, which it has made very great, it was indicated, lord, that every year an envoy is sent to you for greeting, together with a psephisma, and that to him there are given twelve thousand coins. 2 Mindful, therefore, of your purpose, I thought the envoy indeed should be held back, but the psephisma sent, so that at once the expense might be lightened and the public duty fulfilled. 3 The same city has been charged three thousand, which, under the name of viaticum, were given yearly to the envoy going to the one who presides over Moesia to be greeted officially.

Haec ego in posterum circumcidenda existimavi. 4 Te, domine, rogo ut quid sentias rescribendo aut consilium meum confirmare aut errorem emendare digneris.

These things I have judged should be pruned for the future. 4 I ask you, lord, that by writing back what you think you would deign either to confirm my counsel or to amend the error.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

Optime fecisti, Secunde carissime, duodena ista Byzantiis quae ad salutandum me in legatum impendebantur remittendo. Fungentur his partibus, etsi solum psephisma per te missum fuerit. Ignoscet illis et Moesiae praeses, si minus illum sumptuose coluerint.

You have done very well, dearest Secundus, in remitting those twelves which the Byzantines were expending to salute me on the occasion of the legation. They will perform these parts even if only a psephisma decree has been sent by you. The governor of Moesia too will forgive them, if they have honored him less sumptuously.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINIUS TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

Diplomata, domine, quorum dies praeterit, an omnino observari et quam diu velis, rogo scribas meque haesitatione liberes. Vereor enim, ne in alterutram partem ignorantia lapsus aut illicita confirmem aut necessaria impediam.

Diplomas, lord, whose date has passed—whether they are to be observed at all, and for how long you wish—I ask that you write, and free me from hesitation. For I fear lest, slipping through ignorance to one side or the other, I either confirm what is illicit or impede what is necessary.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

Diplomata, quorum praeteritus est dies, non debent esse in usu. Ideo inter prima iniungo mihi, ut per omnes provincias ante mittam nova diplomata, quam desiderari possint.

Diplomas, whose day has passed, ought not to be in use. Therefore, among the first things, I enjoin upon myself to send new diplomas through all the provinces before they can be desired.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Cum vellem, domine, Apameae cognoscere publicos debitores et reditum et impendia, responsum est mihi cupere quidem universos, ut a me rationes coloniae legerentur, numquam tamen esse lectas ab ullo proconsulum; habuisse privilegium et vetustissimum morem arbitrio suo rem publicam administrare. 2 Exegi ut quae dicebant quaeque recitabant libello complecterentur; quem tibi qualem acceperam misi, quamvis intellegerem pleraque ex illo ad id, de quo quaeritur, non pertinere. 3 Te rogo ut mihi praeire digneris, quid me putes observare debere.

1 When I wished, lord, at Apamea to ascertain the public debtors and the revenue and expenditures, I was answered that indeed all desired that the accounts of the colony be read by me, yet that they had never been read by any of the proconsuls; that they had had the privilege and a most ancient custom to administer the commonwealth at their own discretion. 2 I required that what they were saying and what they were reciting be included in a little book; which I sent to you just as I had received it, although I understood that many things in it did not pertain to that about which inquiry is made. 3 I ask that you deign to prescribe to me in advance what you think I ought to observe.

Vereor enim ne aut excessisse aut non implesse officii mei partes videar.

For I fear lest I may seem either to have exceeded or not to have fulfilled the parts of my office.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

1 Libellus Apamenorum, quem epistulae tuae iunxeras, remisit mihi necessitatem perpendendi qualia essent, propter quae videri volunt eos, qui pro consulibus hanc provinciam obtinuerunt, abstinuisse inspectatione rationum suarum, cum ipse ut eas inspiceres non recusaverint. 2 Remuneranda est igitur probitas eorum, ut iam nunc sciant hoc, quod inspecturus es, ex mea voluntate salvis, quae habent, privilegiis esse facturum.

1 The petition of the Apamenians, which you had attached to your letter, has relieved me of the necessity of weighing what sort of reasons they were, on account of which they wish it to appear that those who held this province as proconsuls abstained from the inspection of their accounts, although they themselves did not refuse that you should inspect them. 2 Their probity is therefore to be remunerated, so that even now they may know that this, which you are about to inspect, you will do by my will, with the privileges which they have remaining intact.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Ante adventum meum, domine, Nicomedenses priori foro novum adicere coeperunt, cuius in angulo est aedes vetustissima Matris Magnae aut reficienda aut transferenda, ob hoc praecipue quod est multo depressior opere eo quod cum maxime surgit. 2 Ego cum quaererem, num esset aliqua lex dicta templo, cognovi alium hic, alium apud nos esse morem dedicationis. Dispice ergo, domine, an putes aedem, cui nulla lex dicta est, salva religione posse transferri; alioqui commodissimum est, si religio non impedit.

1 Before my arrival, lord, the Nicomedians began to add a new forum to the former, in the corner of which there is a very ancient temple of the Great Mother, either to be repaired or to be transferred, chiefly because it is much lower in its construction than the work that is at this very moment rising. 2 When I inquired whether any law had been declared for the temple, I learned that here there is one custom of dedication, and another among us. Consider therefore, lord, whether you think that a temple to which no law has been declared can, with religion preserved, be transferred; otherwise it is most convenient, if religion does not impede.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

Potes, mi Secunde carissime, sine sollicitudine religionis, si loci positio videtur hoc desiderare, aedem Matris Deum transferre in eam quae est accommodatior; nec te moveat, quod lex dedicationis nulla reperitur, cum solum peregrinae civitatis capax non sit dedicationis, quae fit nostro iure.

You can, my dearest Secundus, without religious solicitude, if the position of the place seems to desire this, transfer the temple of the Mother of the Gods into one that is more accommodative; nor let it move you that no law of dedication is found, since the soil of a peregrine city is not capable of a dedication which is effected by our law.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Difficile est, domine, exprimere verbis, quantam perceperim laetitiam, quod et mihi et socrui meae praestitisti, ut affinem eius Caelium Clementem in hanc provinciam transferres. 2 Ex illo enim et mensuram beneficii tui penitus intellego, cum tam plenam indulgentiam cum tota domo mea experiar, cui referre gratiam parem ne audeo quidem, quamvis maxime possim. Itaque ad vota confugio deosque precor, ut iis, quae in me assidue confers, non indignus existimer.

1 It is difficult, lord, to express in words how great a joy I have received, because you have granted both to me and to my mother-in-law that you transfer her relation-by-marriage, Caelius Clemens, into this province. 2 From that indeed I also fully understand the measure of your beneficence, since I experience so full an indulgence together with my whole household, to which I do not even dare to return equal thanks, even though I most greatly could. Therefore I take refuge in vows and I pray the gods that I may be judged not unworthy of those things which you constantly confer upon me.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

Diem, domine, quo servasti imperium, dum suscipis, quanta mereris laetitia celebravimus, precati deos ut te generi humano, cuius tutela et securitas saluti tuae innisa est, incolumem florentemque praestarent. Praeivimus et commilitonibus ius iurandum more sollemni, eadem provincialibus certatim pietate iurantibus.

Lord, the day on which, even as you were assuming it, you preserved the empire, we celebrated with as great joy as you deserve, praying the gods to keep you safe and flourishing for the human race, whose protection and security rest upon your welfare. We took the lead and, according to solemn custom, administered the oath to our fellow-soldiers, as the provincials likewise swore with emulous devotion.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

Quanta religione et laetitia commilitones cum provincialibus te praeeunte diem imperii mei celebraverint, libenter, mi Secunde carissime, agnovi litteris tuis.

How much, with religious observance and joy, the fellow-soldiers together with the provincials, with you leading the way, celebrated the day of my imperial rule, I have gladly learned from your letters, my dearest Secundus.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO TRAJAN THE EMPEROR

1 Pecuniae publicae, domine, providentia tua et ministerio nostro et iam exactae sunt et exiguntur; quae vereor ne otiosae iaceant. Nam et praediorum comparandorum aut nulla aut rarissima occasio est, nec inveniuntur qui velint debere rei publicae, praesertim duodenis assibus, quanti a privatis mutuantur. 2 Dispice ergo, domine, numquid minuendam usuram ac per hoc idoneos debitores invitandos putes, et, si nec sic reperiuntur, distribuendam inter decuriones pecuniam, ita ut recte rei publicae caveant; quod quamquam invitis et recusantibus minus acerbum erit leviore usura constituta.

1 The public monies, lord, by your providence and by our ministry have both been collected already and are being collected; which I fear may lie idle. For either there is no opportunity, or a very rare one, for purchasing estates, nor are there found those who wish to be in debt to the commonwealth, especially at twelve asses (12 percent), which is the rate at which they borrow from private persons. 2 Consider therefore, lord, whether you think the usury should be reduced and thereby suitable debtors invited, and, if not even thus they are found, that the money be distributed among the decurions, in such a way that they properly give security to the commonwealth; which, although they are unwilling and refusing, will be less harsh if a lighter rate of interest is fixed.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

Et ipse non aliud remedium dispicio, mi Secunde carissime, quam ut quantitas usurarum minuatur, quo facilius pecuniae publicae collocentur. Modum eius, ex copia eorum qui mutuabuntur, tu constitues. Invitos ad accipiendum compellere, quod fortassis ipsis otiosum futurum sit, non est ex iustitia nostrorum temporum.

And I myself discern no other remedy, my dearest Secundus, than that the quantity of interest be diminished, so that the public monies may be more easily placed. You will constitute its measure, in proportion to the supply of those who will borrow. To compel the unwilling to take a loan, which perhaps will be idle for them, is not in keeping with the justice of our times.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Summas, domine, gratias ago, quod inter maximas occupationes <in> iis, de quibus te consului, me quoque regere dignatus es; quod nunc quoque facias rogo. 2 Adiit enim me quidam indicavitque adversarios suos a Servilio Calvo, clarissimo viro, in triennium relegatos in provincia morari: illi contra ab eodem se restitutos affirmaverunt edictumque recitaverunt. Qua causa necessarium credidi rem integram ad te referre.

1 I give the greatest thanks, lord, that amid the greatest occupations, in those matters about which I consulted you, you have deigned to guide me as well; and I ask that you do so now also. 2 For a certain man came to me and informed me that his adversaries, relegated for three years by Servilius Calvus, a most illustrious man, are residing in the province; they, on the contrary, affirmed that they had been restored by that same man and read out an edict. For which cause I believed it necessary to refer the matter entire to you.

3 Nam, sicut mandatis tuis cautum est, ne restituam ab alio aut a me relegatos, ita de iis, quos alius et relegaverit et restituerit, nihil comprehensum est. Ideo tu, domine, consulendus fuisti, quid observare me velles, tam hercule quam de iis qui in perpetuum relegati nec restituti in provincia deprehenduntur. 4 Nam haec quoque species incidit in cognitionem meam.

3 For, just as by your mandates it has been provided that I not restore those relegated by another or by myself, so concerning those whom another both has relegated and has restored, nothing has been comprised. Therefore you, lord, had to be consulted as to what you would wish me to observe—by Hercules!—as well as about those who, relegated in perpetuity and not restored, are apprehended in the province. 4 For this kind of case too has fallen into my cognizance.

Est enim adductus ad me in perpetuum relegatus <a> Iulio Basso proconsule. Ego, quia sciebam acta Bassi rescissa datumque a senatu ius omnibus, de quibus ille aliquid constituisset, ex integro agendi, dumtaxat per biennium, interrogavi hunc, quem relegaverat, an adisset docuissetque proconsulem. <Negavit.> 5 Per quod effectum est, ut te consulerem, reddendum eum poenae suae an gravius aliquid et quid potissimum constituendum putares et in hunc et in eos, si qui forte in simili condicione invenirentur.

For there was brought before me one relegated in perpetuity <a> Julius Bassus, proconsul. I, since I knew that the acts of Bassus had been rescinded and that a right had been granted by the senate to all those about whom he had determined something to proceed anew, only for a biennium, asked this man, whom he had relegated, whether he had approached and informed the proconsul. <He denied it.> 5 Whereby it has come about that I consult you, whether he should be returned to his own penalty, or something graver, and what you would think ought by preference to be decreed both in his case and for those who might perhaps be found in a similar condition.

Decretum Calvi et edictum, item decretum Bassi his litteris subieci.

I have subjoined the decree of Calvus and the edict, likewise the decree of Bassus, to these letters.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

1 Quid in persona eorum statuendum sit, qui a P. Servilio Calvo proconsule in triennium relegati et mox eiusdem edicto restituti in provincia remanserunt, proxime tibi rescribam, cum causas eius facti a Calvo requisiero. 2 Qui a Iulio Basso in perpetuum relegatus est, cum per biennium agendi facultatem habuerit, si existimat se iniuria relegatum, neque id fecerit atque in provincia morari perseverarit, vinctus mitti ad praefectos praetorii mei debet. Neque enim sufficit eum poenae suae restitui, quam contumacia elusit.

1 What is to be determined concerning the persons who were relegated for 3 years by Publius Servilius Calvus, proconsul, and soon thereafter were restored by an edict of that same man and remained in the province, I will write back to you shortly, when I shall have inquired from Calvus the reasons for that action. 2 He who was relegated in perpetuity by Julius Bassus, since for 2 years he had the opportunity of taking legal action, if he considers himself wrongfully relegated and has not done so and has persisted in staying in the province, ought to be sent in chains to my praetorian prefects. For it is not sufficient that he be restored to his punishment, which he has eluded by contumacy.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Cum citarem iudices, domine, conventum incohaturus, Flavius Archippus vacationem petere coepit ut philosophus. 2 Fuerunt, qui dicerent non liberandum eum iudicandi necessitate, sed omnino tollendum de iudicum numero reddendumque poenae, quam fractis vinculis evasisset. 3 Recitata est sententia Veli Pauli proconsulis, qua probabatur Archippus crimine falsi damnatus in metallum: ille nihil proferebat, quo restitutum se doceret; allegabat tamen pro restitutione et libellum a se Domitiano datum et epistulas eius ad honorem suum pertinentes et decretum Prusensium.

1 When I was summoning the judges, lord, about to initiate the conventus, Flavius Archippus began to seek exemption as a philosopher. 2 There were some who said that he should not be freed from the necessity of judging, but should be altogether removed from the number of judges and returned to the punishment which he had escaped by breaking his chains. 3 The sentence of Velius Paulus, proconsul, was read out, whereby it was shown that Archippus had been condemned on the charge of falsum to the mines: he produced nothing by which he might show that he had been restored; nevertheless he alleged, in support of restitution, both a petition presented by himself to Domitian and his letters pertaining to his honor, and a decree of the Prusans.

Addebat his et tuas litteras scriptas sibi, addebat et patris tui edictum et epistulam, quibus confirmasset beneficia a Domitiano data. 4 Itaque, quamvis eidem talia crimina applicarentur, nihil decernendum putavi, donec te consulerem de eo, quod mihi constitutione tua dignum videbatur. Ea quae sunt utrimque recitata his litteris subieci.

He was adding to these also your letters written to himself; he was adding also your father’s edict and epistle, by which he had confirmed the benefactions granted by Domitian. 4 Therefore, although such crimes were being imputed to the same man, I thought nothing should be decreed until I should consult you about that which seemed to me worthy of your constitution. I have subjoined to these letters those things which were recited on either side.

EPISTULA DOMITIANI AD TERENTIUM MAXIMUM

LETTER OF DOMITIAN TO TERENTIUS MAXIMUS

5 Flavius Archippus philosophus impetravit a me, ut agrum ei ad c circa PrusiadamÅ, patriam suam, emi iuberem, cuius reditu suos alere posset. Quod ei praestari volo. Summam expensam liberalitati meae feres.

5 Flavius Archippus, a philosopher, obtained from me that I should order a field to be bought for him around PrusiadamÅ, his native country, by the revenue of which he could support his own. I want this to be provided to him. You will charge the total expense to my liberality.

EIUSDEM AD LAPPIUM MAXIMUM

OF THE SAME TO LAPPIUS MAXIMUS

6 Archippum philosophum, bonum virum et professioni suae etiam moribus respondentem, commendatum habeas velim, mi Maxime, et plenam ei humanitatem tuam praestes in iis, quae verecunde a te desideraverit.

6 Archippus the philosopher, a good man and one corresponding to his profession even in his morals, I would like you to hold as commended, my Maximus, and to extend to him your full humanity in those things which he shall modestly desire from you.

EDICTUM DIVI NERVAE

EDICT OF THE DIVINE NERVA

7 Quaedam sine dubio, Quirites, ipsa felicitas temporum edicit, nec exspectandus est in iis bonus princeps, quibus illum intellegi satis est, cum hoc sibi civium meorum spondere possit vel non admonita persuasio, me securitatem omnium quieti meae praetulisse, ut et nova beneficia conferrem et ante me concessa servarem. 8 Ne tamen aliquam gaudiis publicis afferat haesitationem vel eorum qui impetraverunt diffidentia vel eius memoria qui praestitit, necessarium pariter credidi ac laetum obviam dubitantibus indulgentiam meam mittere. 9 Nolo existimet quisquam, quod alio principe vel privatim vel publice consecutus <sit> ideo saltem a me rescindi, ut potius mihi debeat.

7 Certain things, Quirites, the very felicity of the times itself decrees, nor in these matters need a good prince be waited for; it is enough that he be understood—since even unadmonished persuasion among my fellow citizens can pledge this for itself: that I have preferred the security of all to my own repose, so that I might both confer new benefactions and preserve the concessions granted before my time. 8 Yet lest any hesitation be brought into public joys, either by the diffidence of those who have obtained (them) or by the memory of him who bestowed (them), I have judged it as necessary as it is gladsome to send my indulgence to meet those who are doubting. 9 I do not wish anyone to suppose that what he has achieved under another prince, either privately or publicly, is on that account at least rescinded by me, in order that he may owe it rather to me.

Sint rata et certa, nec gratulatio ullius instauratis egeat precibus, quem fortuna imperii vultu meliore respexit. le novis beneficiis vacare patiantur, et ea demum sciant roganda esse quae non habent.

Let them be ratified and certain, and let the congratulation of no one—whom the fortune of the empire has regarded with a kinder countenance—need to be renewed by petitions. Let them allow themselves to be free for new benefits, and let them know, finally, that only those things which they do not have are to be asked for.

EPISTULA EIUSDEM AD TULLIUM IUSTUM

EPISTLE OF THE SAME TO TULLIUS JUSTUS

10 Cum rerum omnium ordinatio, quae prioribus temporibus incohatae consummatae sunt, observanda sit, tum epistulis etiam Domitiani standum est.

10 Since the ordination of all things—which were commenced in prior times and have been consummated—ought to be observed, then the epistles of Domitian too must be stood by.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINIUS TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

Flavius Archippus per salutem tuam aeternitatemque petit a me, ut libellum quem mihi dedit mitterem tibi. Quod ego sic roganti praestandum putavi, ita tamen ut missurum me notum accusatrici eius facerem, a qua et ipsa acceptum libellum his epistulis iunxi, quo facilius velut audita utraque parte dispiceres, quid statuendum putares.

Flavius Archippus, by your safety and eternity, asks of me that I send to you the petition which he gave me. I thought this ought to be granted to one so requesting, yet in such a way that I made it known to his accuser that I would send it; and from her I have also appended to these letters the petition received by her, so that you might more easily, as if both sides had been heard, examine what you think should be determined.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

1 Potuit quidem ignorasse Domitianus, in quo statu esset Archippus, cum tam multa ad honorem eius pertinentia scriberet; sed meae naturae accommodatius est credere etiam statui eius subventum interventu principis, praesertim cum etiam statuarum ei honor totiens decretus sit ab iis, qui <non> ignorabant, quid de illo Paulus proconsul pronuntiasset. 2 Quae tamen, mi Secunde carissime, non eo pertinent, ut si quid illi novi criminis obicitur, minus de eo audiendum putes. Libellos Furiae Primae accusatricis, item ipsius Archippi, quos alteri epistulae tuae iunxeras, legi.

1 Domitian could indeed have been ignorant in what status Archippus was, when he was writing so many things pertaining to his honor; but it suits my nature more to believe that his status too was aided by the intervention of the princeps, especially since even the honor of statues was so often decreed to him by those who were not ignorant what Paulus the proconsul had pronounced about him. 2 These things, however, my dearest Secundus, do not tend to this end: that, if some new charge is being alleged against him, you should think he is to be heard the less. I have read the libels of Furia Prima, the accuser, likewise those of Archippus himself, which you had annexed to your other letter.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Tu quidem, domine, providentissime vereris,ne commissus flumini atque ita mari lacus effluat; sed ego in re praesenti invenisse videor, quem ad modum huic periculo occurrerem. 2 Potest enim lacus fossa usque ad flumen adduci nec tamen in flumen emitti, sed relicto quasi margine contineri pariter et dirimi. Sic consequemur, ut neque aqua viduetur flumini mixtus et sit perinde ac si misceatur.

1 You indeed, Lord, most provident, fear lest the lake, committed to the river and so to the sea, should flow out; but I seem, in the present matter, to have found how I might forestall this danger. 2 For the lake can be led by a ditch all the way to the river and yet not discharged into the river, but, with a sort of margin left, be contained and at the same time divided. Thus we shall achieve that neither is the water lost to the river by being mingled, and yet it will be just as if it were mingled.

Erit enim facile per illam brevissimam terram, quae interiacebit, advecta fossa onera transponere in flumen. 3 Quod ita fiet si necessitas coget, et - spero - non coget. Est enim et lacus ipse satis altus et nunc in contrariam partem flumen emittit, quod interclusum inde et quo volumus aversum, sine ullo detrimento lacus tantum aquae quantum nunc portat effundet.

For it will be easy, through that very shortest tract of land which will lie between, by means of a canal brought over, to transfer the freight into the river. 3 Which will thus be done if necessity compels, and — I hope — it will not compel. For the lake itself is quite deep and now emits the river in the opposite direction, which, being blocked off there and turned aside where we wish, without any detriment to the lake, will pour out as much water as it now carries.

Praeterea per id spatium, per quod fossa fodienda est, incidunt rivi; qui si diligenter colligantur, augebunt illud quod lacus dederit. 4 Enimvero, si placeat fossam longius ducere et altius pressam mari aequare nec in flumen, sed in ipsum mare emittere, repercussus maris servabit et reprimet, quidquid e lacu veniet. Quorum si nihil nobis loci natura praestaret, expeditum tamen erat cataractis aquae cursum temperare.

Moreover, through that space through which the ditch is to be dug, rivulets intersect; which, if they are diligently collected, will augment that which the lake will have given. 4 Indeed, if it should be pleasing to carry the ditch farther and, pressed deeper, to equal it with the sea, and to discharge not into the river but into the sea itself, the repercussion of the sea will preserve and repress whatever shall come from the lake. And if the nature of the place were to furnish none of these things for us, it was nonetheless easy to temper the course of the water with sluice-gates.

5 Verum et haec et alia multo sagacius conquiret explorabitque librator, quem plane, domine, debes mittere, ut polliceris. Est enim res digna et magnitudine tua et cura. Ego interim Calpurnio Macro clarissimo viro auctore te scripsi, ut libratorem quam maxime idoneum mitteret.

5 But both these things and others a surveyor will search out and explore far more sagaciously, whom clearly, my lord, you ought to send, as you promise. For the matter is worthy both of your magnitude and your care. Meanwhile, at your authorization, I have written to Calpurnius Macro, a most distinguished man, to send the most suitable surveyor possible.

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Manifestum, mi Secunde carissime, nec prudentiam nec diligentiam tibi defuisse circa istum lacum, cum tam multa provisa habeas, per quae nec periclitetur exhauriri et magis in usu nobis futurus sit. Elige igitur id quod praecipue res ipsa suaserit. Calpurnium Macrum credo facturum, ut te libratore instruat, neque provinciae istae his artificibus carent.

It is manifest, my dearest Secundus, that neither prudence nor diligence has been lacking to you concerning that lake, since you have so many things foreseen, by which it is not put in peril of being exhausted and will be more in use for us. Choose, therefore, that which the matter itself most especially suggests. I believe Calpurnius Macer will see to it to equip you with a leveler, nor do those provinces lack such artificers.

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Scripsit mihi, domine, Lycormas libertus tuus ut, si qua legatio a Bosporo venisset urbem petitura, usque in adventum suum retineretur. Et legatio quidem, dumtaxat in eam civitatem, in qua ipse sum, nulla adhuc venit, sed venit tabellarius Sauromatae <regis>, quem ego usus opportunitate, quam mihi casus obtulerat, cum tabellario qui Lycormam ex itinere praecessit mittendum putavi, ut posses ex Lycormae et regis epistulis pariter cognoscere, quae fortasse pariter scire deberes.

Your freedman Lycormas wrote to me, my lord, that, if any legation from Bosporus should have come to seek the city, it should be detained until his arrival. And indeed no legation, at least into that city in which I myself am, has yet come, but a courier of the Sarmatian <king> has come, whom—availing myself of the opportunity which chance had offered me—I thought should be sent along with the courier who has preceded Lycormas on the way, so that you might be able from the letters of Lycormas and of the king alike to learn those things which perhaps you ought alike to know.

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Rex Sauromates scripsit mihi esse quaedam, quae deberes quam maturissime scire. Qua ex causa festinationem tabellarii, quem ad te cum epistulis misit, diplomate adiuvi.

King Sauromates wrote to me that there are certain things which you ought to know as speedily as possible. For which cause I aided the haste of the courier, whom he sent to you with letters, with a diploma.

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1 Magna, domine, et ad totam provinciam pertinens quaestio est de condicione et alimentis eorum, quos vocant 'threptous'. 2 In qua ego auditis constitutionibus principum, quia nihil inveniebam aut proprium aut universale, quod ad Bithynos referretur, consulendum te existimavi, quid observari velles; neque putavi posse me in eo, quod auctoritatem tuam posceret, exemplis esse contentum. 3 Recitabatur autem apud me edictum, quod dicebatur divi Augusti, ad Andaniam pertinens; recitatae et epistulae divi Vespasiani ad Lacedaemonios et divi Titi ad eosdem et Achaeos et Domitiani ad Avidium Tigrinum et Armenium Brocchum proconsules, item ad Lacedaemonios; quae ideo tibi non misi, quia et parum emendata et quaedam non certae fidei videbantur, et quia vera et emendata in scriniis tuis esse credebam.

1 Great, lord, and pertaining to the whole province is the question about the condition and maintenance of those whom they call 'threptous'. 2 In which, after having heard the constitutions of the princes, since I was finding nothing either particular or universal that referred to the Bithynians, I judged that you should be consulted as to what you would wish to be observed; nor did I think I could be content with examples in that which demanded your authority. 3 Moreover, there was recited before me an edict said to be of the deified Augustus, pertaining to Andania; there were also recited letters of the deified Vespasian to the Lacedaemonians and of the deified Titus to the same and to the Achaeans, and of Domitian to Avidius Tigrinus and Armenius Brocchus, proconsuls, likewise to the Lacedaemonians; which I therefore did not send to you, because they seemed both not sufficiently emended and some of uncertain credibility, and because I believed the true and emended versions to be in your scrinia.

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1 Quaestio ista, quae pertinet ad eos qui liberi nati expositi, deinde sublati a quibusdam et in servitute educati sunt, saepe tractata est, nec quicquam invenitur in commentariis eorum principum, qui ante me fuerunt, quod ad omnes provincias sit constitutum. 2 Epistulae sane sunt Domitiani ad Avidium Nigrinum et Armenium Brocchum, quae fortasse debeant observari: sed inter eas provincias, de quibus rescripsit, non est Bithynia; et ideo nec assertionem denegandam iis qui ex eius modi causa in libertatem vindicabuntur puto, neque ipsam libertatem redimendam pretio alimentorum.

1 This question, which pertains to those who, though born free, were exposed, then taken up by certain persons and brought up in servitude, has often been handled, and nothing is found in the commentaries of those emperors who were before me that has been established for all the provinces. 2 There are indeed letters of Domitian to Avidius Nigrinus and Armenius Brocchus, which perhaps ought to be observed: but among those provinces about which he issued rescripts, Bithynia is not included; and therefore I think that neither should the assertion (for freedom) be denied to those who will be vindicated into liberty from a cause of that kind, nor should liberty itself be redeemed at the price of their maintenance.

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1 Legato Sauromatae regis; cum sua sponte Nicaeae, ubi me invenerat, biduo substitisset, longiorem moram faciendam, domine, non putavi, primum quod incertum adhuc erat, quando libertus tuus Lycormas venturus esset, deinde quod ipse proficiscebar in diversam provinciae partem, ita officii necessitate exigente. 2 Haec in notitiam tuam perferenda existimavi, quia proxime scripseram petisse Lycormam, ut legationem, si qua venisset a Bosporo, usque in adventum suum retinerem. Quod diutius faciendi nulla mihi probabilis ratio occurrit, praesertim cum epistulae Lycormae, quas detinere, ut ante praedixi, nolui, aliquot diebus hinc legatum antecessurae viderentur.

1 As to the legate of the king of the Sarmatians; since of his own accord at Nicaea, where he had found me, he had stayed for two days, I did not think, lord, that a longer delay ought to be made—first, because it was still uncertain when your freedman Lycormas would be coming, then because I myself was setting out into a different part of the province, the necessity of my office thus demanding. 2 I thought these matters should be conveyed to your notice, because quite recently I had written that Lycormas had requested that I retain the embassy, if any should come from the Bosporus, until his advent. For doing that any longer no plausible reason occurred to me, especially since the epistles of Lycormas—which, as I previously declared, I did not wish to detain—seemed likely from here to precede the envoy by several days.

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Petentibus quibusdam, ut sibi reliquias suorum aut propter iniuriam vetustatis aut propter fluminis incursum aliaque his similia quocumque secundum exemplum proconsulum transferre permitterem, quia sciebam in urbe nostra ex eius modi causa collegium pontificum adiri solere, te, domine, maximum pontificem consulendum putavi, quid observare me velis.

At the request of certain persons, that I permit them to transfer the relics of their kin—either on account of the injury of age or because of the incursion of a river and other things similar to these—to whatever place, according to the precedent of the proconsuls, since I knew that in our city on a cause of this sort the College of Pontiffs is accustomed to be approached, I thought that you, lord, the Greatest Pontiff, should be consulted, as to what you wish me to observe.

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Durum est iniungere necessitatem provincialibus pontificum adeundorum, si reliquias suorum propter aliquas iustas causas transferre ex loco in alium locum velint. Sequenda ergo potius tibi exempla sunt eorum, qui isti provinciae praefuerunt, et ut causa cuique, ita aut permittendum aut negandum.

It is hard to enjoin upon the provincials the necessity of approaching the pontiffs, if they wish, for some just causes, to transfer the remains of their own from one place to another place. Therefore the examples of those who have presided over that province are rather to be followed by you, and as the case is for each, so either it must be permitted or denied.

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1 Quaerenti mihi, domine, Prusae ubi posset balineum quod indulsisti fieri, placuit locus in quo fuit aliquando domus, ut audio, pulchra, nunc deformis ruinis. Per hoc enim consequemur, ut foedissima facies civitatis ornetur, atque etiam ut ipsa civitas amplietur nec ulla aedificia tollantur, sed quae sunt vetustate sublapsa relaxentur in melius. 2 Est autem huius domus condicio talis: legaverat eam Claudius Polyaenus Claudio Caesari iussitque in peristylio templum ei fieri, reliqua ex domo locari.

1 When I was inquiring, lord, at Prusa where the bath-house which you granted might be made, a site pleased me in which there was once, as I hear, a beautiful house, now disfigured by ruins. For by this we shall achieve that the most unsightly face of the city be adorned, and also that the city itself be enlarged, and that no buildings be removed, but those which have subsided through age be refashioned for the better. 2 Now the legal condition of this house is as follows: Claudius Polyaenus had bequeathed it to Claudius Caesar and ordered that in the peristyle a temple be made to him, the rest of the house to be let for rent.

Ex ea reditum aliquamdiu civitas percepit; deinde paulatim partim spoliata, partim neglecta cum peristylio domus tota collapsa est, ac iam paene nihil ex ea nisi solum superest; quod tu, domine, sive donaveris civitati sive venire iusseris, propter opportunitatem loci pro summo munere accipiet. 3 Ego, si permiseris, cogito in area vacua balineum collocare, eum autem locum, in quo aedificia fuerunt, exedra et porticibus amplecti atque tibi consecrare, cuius beneficio elegans opus dignumque nomine tuo fiet. 4 Exemplar testamenti, quamquam mendosum, misi tibi; ex quo cognosces multa Polyaenum in eiusdem domus ornatum reliquisse, quae ut domus ipsa perierunt, a me tamen in quantum potuerit requirentur.

From it the city received revenue for some time; then little by little, partly despoiled, partly neglected, the whole house together with the peristyle collapsed, and now almost nothing of it remains except the ground; which, lord, whether you donate it to the city or order it to be sold, on account of the opportuneness of the site it will accept as a highest gift. 3 I, if you permit, am thinking to place a balineum (bath) in the empty area, and to encompass that place in which the buildings were with an exedra and porticoes and to consecrate it to you, by whose beneficence an elegant work will be made and worthy of your name. 4 A copy of the will, although faulty, I have sent to you; from which you will learn that Polyaenus left many items for the ornament of that same house, which, like the house itself, have perished; nevertheless by me, insofar as it shall have been possible, they will be sought out.

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Possumus apud Prusenses area ista cum domo collapsa, quam vacare scribis, ad exstructionem balinei uti. Illud tamen parum expressisti, an aedes in peristylio Claudio facta esset. Nam, si facta est, licet collapsa sit, religio eius occupavit solum .

We can, among the Prusans, use that area with the collapsed house, which you write is vacant, for the construction of a bath. However, you have stated too little whether a shrine was made in the Claudian peristyle. For if it was made, although it has collapsed, its religious sanctity has occupied the ground .

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Postulantibus quibusdam, ut de agnoscendis liberis restituendisque natalibus et secundum epistulam Domitiani scriptam Minicio Rufo et secundum exempla proconsulum ipse cognoscerem, respexi ad senatus consultum pertinens ad eadem genera causarum, quod de iis tantum provinciis loquitur, quibus proconsules praesunt; ideoque rem integram distuli, dum <tu>, domine, praeceperis, quid observare me velis.

At the request of certain persons, that I should myself adjudicate concerning the recognizing of children and the restoring of birth-status, both according to the letter of Domitian written to Minicius Rufus and according to the examples of the proconsuls, I looked back to a senatorial decree pertaining to the same kinds of cases, which speaks only about those provinces over which proconsuls preside; and therefore I deferred the matter entire, until <you>, lord, shall have prescribed what you wish me to observe.

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Si mihi senatus consultum miseris quod haesitationem tibi fecit, aestimabo an debeas cognoscere de agnoscendis liberis et natalibus veris restituendis.

If you send me the senatorial decree which caused you hesitation, I will evaluate whether you ought to take cognizance concerning the acknowledging of children and the restoring of true birth-status.

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1 Appuleius, domine, miles qui est in statione Nicomedensi, scripsit mihi quendam nomine Callidromum, cum detineretur a Maximo et Dionysio pistoribus, quibus operas suas locaverat, confugisse ad tuam statuam perductumque ad magistratus indicasse, servisse aliquando Laberio Maximo, captumque a Susago in Moesia et a Decibalo muneri missum Pacoro Parthiae regi, pluribusque annis in ministerio eius fuisse, deinde fugisse, atque ita in Nicomediam pervenisse. 2 Quem ego perductum ad me, cum eadem narrasset, mittendum ad te putavi; quod paulo tardius feci, dum requiro gemmam, quam sibi habentem imaginem Pacori et quibus ornatus fuisset subtractam indicabat. 3 Volui enim hanc quoque, si inveniri potuisset, simul mittere, sicut glebulam misi, quam se ex Parthico metallo attulisse dicebat.

1 Appuleius, Sir, a soldier who is on station at Nicomedia, wrote to me that a certain man named Callidromus, while he was being detained by Maximus and Dionysius, bakers to whom he had hired out his services, fled for refuge to your statue and, when led to the magistrates, stated that he had once served Laberius Maximus, that he had been captured by Susago in Moesia and by Decebalus sent as a gift to Pacorus, king of Parthia, that for many years he had been in his service, then had fled, and so had made his way to Nicomedia. 2 Whom, when he had been brought to me and had told the same things, I thought should be sent to you; which I did a little more slowly, while I searched for a gem, which he indicated had been taken from him—the gem bearing the image of Pacorus—and the ornaments with which he had been adorned. 3 For I wished to send this also, if it could have been found, at the same time, just as I sent the little nugget, which he said he had brought from Parthian metal.

Signata est anulos meo, cuius est aposphragisma quadriga.

It has been sealed with my ring, whose signet-device is a quadriga.

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1 Iulius, domine, Largus ex Ponto nondum mihi visus ac ne auditus quidem - scilicet iudicio tuo credidit - dispensationem quandam mihi erga te pietatis suae ministeriumque mandavit. 2 Rogavit enim testamento, ut hereditatem suam adirem cerneremque, ac deinde praeceptis quinquaginta milibus nummum reliquum omne Heracleotarum et Tianorum civitatibus redderem, ita ut esset arbitrii mei utrum opera facienda, quae honori tuo consecrarentur, putarem an instituendos quinquennales agonas, qui Traiani appellarentur. Quod in notitiam tuam perferendum existimavi ob hoc maxime, ut dispiceres quid eligere debeam.

1 Julius, lord, Largus from Pontus, not yet seen by me and not even heard — plainly he trusted to your judgment — has entrusted to me a certain arrangement, a ministry of his loyalty toward you. 2 For he asked in his will that I enter upon and examine his inheritance, and then, after a deduction of fifty thousand sesterces, I should return all the remainder to the communities of the Heracleotae and the Tiani, in such wise that it be left to my discretion whether I should think works ought to be made which would be consecrated to your honor, or that quinquennial agones be established, which would be called Trajanian. I have thought this to be carried into your notice chiefly for this reason, that you might determine what I ought to choose.

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Iulius Largus fidem tuam quasi te bene nosset elegit. Quid ergo potissimum ad perpetuitatem memoriae eius faciat, secundum cuiusque loci condicionem ipse dispice et quod optimum existimaveris, id sequere.

Julius Largus chose your faith, as though he knew you well. Therefore, consider yourself what would most of all contribute to the perpetuity of his memory, according to the condition of each place, and follow that which you shall have esteemed the optimum.

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1 Providentissime, domine, fecisti, quod praecepisti Calpurnio Macro clarissimo viro, ut legionarium centurionem Byzantium mitteret. 2 Dispice an etiam Iuliopolitanis simili ratione consulendum putes, quorum civitas, cum sit perexigua, onera maxima sustinet tantoque graviores iniurias quanto est infirmior patitur. 3 Quidquid autem Iuliopolitanis praestiteris, id etiam toti provinciae proderit.

1 Most provident, lord, you have done, in that you instructed Calpurnius Macro, a most distinguished man, to send a legionary centurion to Byzantium. 2 Consider whether you think the Iuliopolitans also ought to be provided for by a similar method, whose city, since it is very small, sustains the greatest burdens and suffers all the heavier injuries in proportion as it is more infirm. 3 Whatever, moreover, you shall have afforded to the Iuliopolitans, this too will profit the whole province.

Sunt enim in capite Bithyniae, plurimisque per eam commeantibus transitum praebent.

For they are at the head of Bithynia, and they provide transit to the very many who travel through it.

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1 Ea condicio est civitatis Byzantiorum confluente undique in eam commeantium turba, ut secundum consuetudinem praecedentium temporum honoribus eius praesidio centurionis legionarii consulendum habuerimus. <Si> 2 Iuliopolitanis succurrendum eodem modo putaverimus, onerabimus nos exemplo; plures enim eo quanto infirmiores erunt idem petent. Fiduciam <eam> diligentiae <tuae> habeo, ut credam te omni ratione id acturum, ne sint obnoxii iniuriis.

1 Such is the condition of the city of the Byzantines, with a confluence from every side of the throng of those journeying to it, that, according to the custom of preceding times, we have thought it proper to provide for its honors by the protection of a legionary centurion. <If> 2 we shall think the Juliopolitans must be succored in the same way, we shall burden ourselves with a precedent; for the more there are who are weaker, by so much the more will seek the same. I have that confidence <in that> diligence <of yours>, that I believe you will in every way do this, so that they may not be liable to injuries.

3 Si qui autem se contra disciplinam meam gesserint, statim coerceantur; aut, si plus admiserint quam ut in re praesenti satis puniantur, si milites erunt, legatis eorum quod deprehenderis notum facies aut, si in urbem versus venturi erunt, mihi scribes.

3 If any, however, have conducted themselves against my discipline, let them be coerced at once; or, if they have committed more than can be sufficiently punished on the spot, if they are soldiers, you will make known to their legates what you have apprehended, or, if they are going to come toward the city, you will write to me.

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1 Cautum est, domine, Pompeia lege quae Bithynis data est, ne quis capiat magistratum neve sit in senatu minor annorum triginta. Eadem lege comprehensum est, ut qui ceperint magistratum sint in senatu. 2 Secutum est dein edictum divi Augusti, quo permisit minores magistratus ab annis duobus et viginti capere.

1 It was provided, lord, by the Pompeian law which was given to the Bithynians, that no one should assume a magistracy nor be in the senate being less than thirty years of age. By the same law it was comprehended that those who have assumed a magistracy are in the senate. 2 Then there followed an edict of the deified Augustus, by which he permitted younger men to assume magistracies from twenty-two years of age.

3 Quaeritur ergo an, qui minor triginta annorum gessit magistratum, possit a censoribus in senatum legi, et, si potest, an ii quoque, qui non gesserint, possint per eandem interpretationem ab ea aetate senatores legi, a qua illis magistratum gerere permissum est; quod alioqui factitatum adhuc et esse necessarium dicitur, quia sit aliquanto melius honestorum hominum liberos quam e plebe in curiam admitti. 4 Ego a destinatis censoribus quid sentirem interrogatus eos quidem, qui minores triginta annis gessissent magistratum, putabam posse in senatum et secundum edictum Augusti et secundum legem Pompeiam legi, quoniam Augustus gerere magistratus minoribus annis triginta permisisset, lex senatorem esse voluisset qui gessisset magistratum. 5 De iis autem qui non gessissent, quamvis essent aetatis eiusdem cuius illi quibus gerere permissum est, haesitabam; per quod effectum est ut te, domine, consulerem, quid observari velles.

3 It is asked therefore whether one who, being less than thirty years of age, has held a magistracy can be enrolled by the censors into the senate, and, if he can, whether those also who have not held it can by the same interpretation be enrolled as senators from that age at which it has been permitted to them to hold a magistracy; which otherwise is said both to have been practiced up to now and to be necessary, because it is somewhat better that the children of honorable men rather than men from the plebs be admitted into the curia. 4 I, asked by the designated censors what I thought, did consider that those who had held a magistracy under thirty years could be enrolled into the senate both according to the edict of Augustus and according to the Pompeian law, since Augustus had permitted magistracies to be held at less than thirty years, the law had wished that whoever had held a magistracy be a senator. 5 But about those who had not held it, although they were of the same age as those to whom it is permitted to hold, I hesitated; and through this it has come about that I consult you, lord, what you would wish to be observed.

Capita legis, tum edictum Augusti litteris subieci.

I subjoined in writing the heads of the law, then the edict of Augustus.

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Interpretationi tuae, mi Secunde carissime, idem existimo: hactenus edicto divi Augusti novatam esse legem Pompeiam, ut magistratum quidem capere possent ii, qui non minores duorum et viginti annorum essent, et qui cepissent, in senatum cuiusque civitatis pervenirent. Ceterum non capto magistratu eos, qui minores triginta annorum sint, quia magistratum capere possint, in curiam etiam loci cuiusque non existimo legi posse.

I think the same of your interpretation, my dearest Secundus: that the edict of the deified Augustus has renewed the Lex Pompeia to this extent, that those who are not under twenty-two years may indeed take a magistracy, and that those who have taken it arrive into the senate of each city. For the rest, if a magistracy has not been taken, I do not think that those who are under thirty years, because they are able to take a magistracy, can also be enrolled by law into the curia of each place.

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C. PLINIUS TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Cum Prusae ad Olympum, domine, publicis negotiis intra hospitium eodem die exiturus vacarem, Asclepiades magistratus indicavit appellatum me a Claudio Eumolpo. Cum Cocceianus Dion in bule assignari civitati opus cuius curam egerat vellet, tum Eumolpus assistens Flavio Archippo dixit exigendam esse a Dione rationem operis, ante quam rei publicae traderetur, quod aliter fecisset ac debuisset. 2 Adiecit etiam esse in eodem positam tuam statuam et corpora sepultorum, uxoris Dionis et filii, postulavitque ut cognoscerem pro tribunali.

1 When at Prusa ad Olympum, lord, as I was at leisure from public business within my lodging, about to depart the same day, Asclepiades, a magistrate, indicated that I had been appealed to by Claudius Eumolpus. When Cocceianus Dion wished in the boule to have assigned to the city the work of which he had had the care, then Eumolpus, standing by Flavius Archippus, said that an account of the work ought to be exacted from Dion before it was handed over to the republic, because he had done it otherwise than he ought. 2 He added also that in the same place were set your statue and the bodies of those buried—Dion’s wife and son—and he requested that I should hear the case from the tribunal.

3 Quod cum ego me protinus facturum dilaturumque profectionem dixissem, ut longiorem diem ad struendam causam darem utque in alia civitate cognoscerem petiit. 4 Ego me auditurum Nicaeae respondi. Ubi cum consedissem cogniturus, idem Eumolpus tamquam si adhuc parum instructus dilationem petere coepit, contra Dion ut audiretur exigere.

3 When I said that I would do this at once and would defer my departure, he requested that I grant a longer day to build the case and that I should conduct the hearing in another city. 4 I replied that I would hear it at Nicaea. When I had taken my seat to hold the hearing, the same Eumolpus began to ask for a postponement, as if still too little instructed, while Dion, on the contrary, insisted that it be heard.

5 Dicta sunt utrimque multa, etiam de causa. Ego cum dandam dilationem et <te> consulendum existimarem in re ad exemplum pertinenti, dixi utrique parti ut postulationum suarum libellos darent. Volebam enim te ipsorum potissimum verbis ea quae erant proposita cognoscere.

5 Many things were said on both sides, even about the cause. Since I thought that a postponement ought to be granted and that <you> should be consulted in a matter pertaining to exemplar/precedent, I told each party to give libelli of their postulations. For I wanted you to learn the points that had been proposed most of all in their own words.

6 Et Dion quidem se daturum dixit. Eumolpus respondit complexurum se libello quae rei publicae peteret, ceterum quod ad sepultos pertineret non accusatorem se sed advocatum Flavi Archippi, cuius mandata pertulisset. Archippus, cui Eumolpus sicut Prusiade assistebat, dixit se libellum daturum.

6 And Dion indeed said that he would give it. Eumolpus replied that he would include in a libellus the things which he was seeking for the commonwealth, but that, as to what pertained to the buried, he was not an accuser but the advocate of Flavius Archippus, whose mandates he had carried. Archippus, to whom Eumolpus was assisting as at Prusa, said that he would give a libellus.

At nec Eumolpus nec Archippus quam<quam> plurimis diebus exspectati adhuc mihi libellos dederunt; Dion dedit, quem huic epistulae iunxi. 7 Ipse in re praesenti fui et vidi tuam quoque statuam in bibliotheca positam, id autem in quo dicuntur sepulti filius et uxor Dionis in area collocatum, quae porticibus includitur. 8 Te, domine, rogo ut me in hoc praecipue genere cognitionis regere digneris, cum alioqui magna sit exspectatio, ut necesse est in ea re quae et in confessum venit et exemplis defenditur.

But neither Eumolpus nor Archippus, although awaited for very many days, have yet given me their briefs; Dion has given his, which I have joined to this letter. 7 I myself was present on the spot and I also saw your statue set up in the library, and the structure in which the son and wife of Dion are said to be buried placed in the courtyard, which is enclosed by porticoes. 8 You, lord, I ask to deign to guide me especially in this kind of inquiry, since, as is inevitable in a matter which both is acknowledged and is defended by precedents, there is great expectation.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

1 Potuisti non haerere, mi Secunde carissime, circa id de quo me consulendum existimasti, cum propositum meum optime nosses, non ex metu nec terrore hominum aut criminibus maiestatis reverentiam nomini meo acquiri. 2 Omissa ergo ea quaestione, quam non admitterem etiam si exemplis adiuvaretur, ratio totius operis effecti sub cura Cocceiani Dionis excutiatur, cum et utilitas civitatis exigat nec aut recuset Dion aut debeat recusare.

1 You could have not hesitated, my dearest Secundus, about that on which you thought I should be consulted, since you knew my purpose very well: that reverence for my name is not to be acquired from fear nor from the terror of men, nor by charges of majesty (lèse-majesté). 2 Therefore, with that question set aside—which I would not admit even if it were supported by precedents—let the reckoning of the whole work done under the care of Cocceianus Dio be examined, since both the utility of the city demands it and Dion neither refuses nor ought to refuse.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN

Rogatus, domine, a Nicaeensibus publice per ea, quae mihi et sunt et debent esse sanctissima, id est per aeternitatem tuam salutemque, ut preces suas ad te perferrem, fas non putavi negare acceptumque ab iis libellum huic epistulae iunxi.

Asked, lord, by the Nicaeans officially, by those things which to me both are and ought to be most sacrosanct—namely, by your eternity and your safety—that I should convey their petitions to you, I did not think it right to refuse, and I have appended the petition received from them to this letter.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

Nicaeensibus, qui intestatorum civium suorum concessam vindicationem bonorum a divo Augusto affirmant, debebis vacare contractis omnibus personis ad idem negotium pertinentibus, adhibitis Virdio Gemellino et Epimacho liberto meo procuratoribus, ut aestimatis etiam iis, quae contra dicuntur, quod optimum credideritis, statuatis.

As to the Nicaeans, who affirm that a granted vindication of the goods of their intestate citizens was bestowed by the deified Augustus, you ought to devote yourself to the matter, having assembled all persons pertaining to the same business, with the procurators Virdius Gemellinus and Epimachus, my freedman, called in, so that, having appraised even the things that are said on the contrary side, you may determine what you believe to be best.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN

Maximum libertum et procuratorem tuum, domine, per omne tempus, quo fuimus una, probum et industrium et diligentem ac sicut rei tuae amantissimum ita disciplinae tenacissimum expertus, libenter apud te testimonio prosequor, ea fide quam tibi debeo.

Having found Maximus, your freedman and procurator, lord, throughout all the time during which we were together, to be upright and industrious and diligent, and, just as he is most devoted to your interests, so most tenacious of discipline, I gladly support him with testimony before you, with that fidelity which I owe to you.

86 A

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN

Gavium Bassum, domine, praefectum orae Ponticae integrum probum industrium atque inter ista reverentissimum mei expertus, voto pariter et suffragio prosequor, ea fide quam tibi debeo.

Gavius Bassus, lord, prefect of the Pontic coast, whom I have found upright, of probity, industrious, and among these most reverent toward me, I support with both wish and suffrage, with that fidelity which I owe to you.

86 B

<C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI>

<C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN>

... quam ea quae speret instructum commilitio tuo, cuius disciplinae debet, quod indulgentia tua dignus est. Apud me et milites et pagani, a quibus iustitia eius et humanitas penitus inspecta est, certatim ei qua privatim qua publice testimonium perhibuerunt. Quod in notitiam tuam perfero, ea fide quam tibi debeo.

... than those things which he hopes for, trained in your soldiery, to whose discipline he owes the fact that he is worthy of your indulgence. With me, both the soldiers and the civilians, by whom his justice and humanity have been thoroughly examined, have vied to bear testimony to him both privately and publicly. This I bring to your notice with that fidelity which I owe to you.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Nymphidium Lupum, domine, primipilarem commilitonem habui, cum ipse tribunus essem ille praefectus: inde familiariter diligere coepi. Crevit postea caritas ipsa mutuae vetustate amicitiae. 2 Itaque et quieti eius inieci manum et exegi, ut me in Bithynia consilio instrueret.

1 Nymphidius Lupus, lord, I had as a primipilarian fellow-soldier, when I myself was tribune and he prefect: from that time I began to love him on familiar terms. Thereafter the affection itself grew through the long-standing of our mutual friendship. 2 And so I even laid hand upon his retirement and insisted that, in Bithynia, he should instruct me with counsel.

Quod ille amicissime et otii et senectutis ratione postposita et iam fecit et facturus est. 3 Quibus ex causis necessitudines eius inter meas numero, filium in primis, Nymphidium Lupum, iuvenem probum industrium et egregio patre dignissimum, suffecturum indulgentiae tuae, sicut primis eius experimentis cognoscere potes, cum praefectus cohortis plenissimum testimonium meruerit Iuli Ferocis et Fusci Salinatoris clarissimorum virorum. Meum gaudium, domine, meamque gratulationem filii honore cumulabis.

Which he, most amicably, with consideration both of leisure and of old age set aside, has already done and is going to do. 3 For these causes I number his connections among my own—his son foremost, Nymphidius Lupus, a worthy and industrious young man, most worthy of his outstanding father—one who will prove equal to your indulgence, as you can learn from his first trials, since, as prefect of a cohort, he has merited the fullest testimony from Julius Ferox and Fuscus Salinator, most illustrious men. You will heap up my joy, lord, and my congratulation, by the son’s honor.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

Opto, domine, et hunc natalem et plurimos alios quam felicissimos agas aeternaque laude florentem virtutis tuae gloriam ... quam incolumis et fortis aliis super alia operibus augebis.

I wish, lord, that you may keep this birthday and very many others as most felicitous, and that the glory of your virtue, flourishing with eternal praise ... which, safe and strong, you will augment by works one upon another.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

Agnosco vota tua, mi Secunde carissime, quibus precaris, ut plurimos et felicissimos natales florente statu rei publicae nostrae agam.

I recognize your vows, my dearest Secundus, by which you pray that I may celebrate very many and most happy birthdays, with the state of our Republic flourishing.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Sinopenses, domine, aqua deficiuntur; quae videtur et bona et copiosa ab sexto decimo miliario posse perduci. Est tamen statim ab capite paulo amplius passus mille locus suspectus et mollis, quem ego interim explorari modico impendio iussi, an recipere et sustinere opus possit. 2 Pecunia curantibus nobis contracta non deerit, si tu, domine, hoc genus operis et salubritati et amoenitati valde sitientis coloniae indulseris.

1 The Sinopeans, lord, are lacking water; which seems both good and copious to be able to be brought from the sixteenth milestone. There is, however, immediately from the head a place a little more than a thousand paces, suspect and soft, which I have meanwhile ordered to be explored at a modest outlay, whether it can receive and sustain the work. 2 Money gathered by our care will not be lacking, if you, lord, will indulge this kind of work for the salubrity and amenity of the very thirsty colony.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

Ut coepisti, Secunde carissime, explora diligenter, an locus ille quem suspectum habes sustinere opus aquae ductus possit. Neque dubitandum puto, quin aqua perducenda sit in coloniam Sinopensem, si modo et viribus suis assequi potest, cum plurimum ea res et salubritati et voluptati eius collatura sit.

As you have begun, dearest Secundus, explore diligently whether that place which you regard as suspect can sustain the work of an aqueduct. Nor do I think there should be any doubting that water ought to be brought into the colony of Sinope, provided that it can be attained by its own resources, since this undertaking will contribute very greatly both to its salubrity and its pleasure.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

GAIUS PLINY TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN

Amisenorum civitas libera et foederata beneficio indulgentiae tuae legibus suis utitur. In hac datum mihi libellum ad 'epanous' pertinentem his litteris subieci, ut tu, domine, dispiceres quid et quatenus aut permittendum aut prohibendum putares.

The city of the Amiseni, free and federate, by the beneficence of your indulgence uses its own laws. In this city I have appended to these letters a petition given to me pertaining to the ‘epanous’, so that you, lord, might examine what, and to what extent, you would think either to be permitted or to be prohibited.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

Amisenos, quorum libellum epistulae tuae iunxeras, si legibus istorum, quibus beneficio foederis utuntur, concessum est eranum habere, possumus quo minus habeant non impedire, eo facilius si tali collatione non ad turbas et ad illicitos coetus, sed ad sustinendam tenuiorum inopiam utuntur. In ceteris civitatibus, quae nostro iure obstrictae sunt, res huius modi prohibenda est.

The Amisenes, whose little book (petition) you had attached to your letter, if by their own laws—which they enjoy by benefit of the foedus—it is granted to have an eranos (contribution-club), we can refrain from preventing them from having it, all the more easily if they use such a contribution not for tumults and unlawful assemblies, but for sustaining the poverty of the poorer sort. In the other communities, which are bound by our law, a matter of this kind is to be prohibited.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Suetonium Tranquillum, probissimum honestissimum eruditissimum virum, et mores eius secutus et studia iam pridem, domine, in contubernium assumpsi, tantoque magis diligere coepi quanto nunc propius inspexi. 2 Huic ius trium liberorum necessarium faciunt duae causae; nam et iudicia amicorum promeretur et parum felix matrimonium expertus est, impetrandumque a bonitate tua per nos habet quod illi fortunae malignitas denegavit. 3 Scio, domine, quantum beneficium petam, sed peto a te cuius in omnibus desideriis meis indulgentiam experior.

1 Suetonius Tranquillus, a most upright, most honorable, most erudite man—both his character and his studies I have long since followed—I have taken into my retinue, lord, and I began to cherish him so much the more the more closely I have now inspected him. 2 For him the right of three children is made necessary by two causes; for he both earns the favorable judgments of his friends and has experienced a not very happy marriage; and he has, through us, to obtain from your goodness what the malignity of Fortune denied him. 3 I know, lord, how great a favor I ask, but I ask it from you, whose indulgence I experience in all my desires.

Potes enim colligere quanto opere cupiam, quod non rogarem absens si mediocriter cuperem.

For you can gather how greatly I desire this, since I would not ask it while absent if I desired it only moderately.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

Quam parce haec beneficia tribuam, utique, mi Secunde carissime, haeret tibi, cum etiam in senatu affirmare soleam non excessisse me numerum, quem apud amplissimum ordinem suffecturum mihi professus sum. Tuo tamen desiderio subscripsi et dedisse me ius trium liberorum Suetonio Tranquillo ea condicione, qua assuevi, referri in commentarios meos iussi.

How sparingly I bestow these benefactions, assuredly, my dearest Secundus, is well known to you, since I am even wont to affirm in the senate that I have not exceeded the number which I professed before the most ample order would suffice for me. Yet I have subscribed to your desire, and that I have given the right of three children to Suetonius Tranquillus on the condition to which I am accustomed, I have ordered to be entered in my commentaries.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINIUS TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Sollemne est mihi, domine, omnia de quibus dubito ad te referre. Quis enim potest melius vel cunctationem meam regere vel ignorantiam instruere? Cognitionibus de Christianis interfui numquam: ideo nescio quid et quatenus aut puniri soleat aut quaeri.

1 It is customary for me, lord, to refer to you everything about which I am in doubt. For who can better either govern my hesitation or instruct my ignorance? I have never been present at proceedings concerning Christians; therefore I do not know what, and to what extent, it is the practice either to punish or to investigate.

2 Nec mediocriter haesitavi, sitne aliquod discrimen aetatum, an quamlibet teneri nihil a robustioribus differant; detur paenitentiae venia, an ei, qui omnino Christianus fuit, desisse non prosit; nomen ipsum, si flagitiis careat, an flagitia cohaerentia nomini puniantur. Interim, <in> iis qui ad me tamquam Christiani deferebantur, hunc sum secutus modum. 3 Interrogavi ipsos an essent Christiani.

2 I hesitated not moderately, whether there should be any discrimination of ages, or whether however tender they differ in nothing from the more robust; whether pardon should be given to penitence, or whether it does not profit one who has been altogether a Christian to have ceased; whether the name itself, if it be free from flagitious acts, or the flagitious acts cohering to the name are to be punished. Meanwhile, <in> the case of those who were reported to me as Christians, I have followed this method. 3 I interrogated them themselves whether they were Christians.

Confitentes iterum ac tertio interrogavi supplicium minatus; perseverantes duci iussi. Neque enim dubitabam, qualecumque esset quod faterentur, pertinaciam certe et inflexibilem obstinationem debere puniri. 4 Fuerunt alii similis amentiae, quos, quia cives Romani erant, adnotavi in urbem remittendos.

I interrogated those confessing again and a third time, threatening punishment; I ordered those who persisted to be led away to execution. For I did not doubt that, whatever it was they confessed, pertinacity and inflexible obstination certainly ought to be punished. 4 There were others of similar madness, whom, because they were Roman citizens, I noted to be remitted to the City.

Mox ipso tractatu, ut fieri solet, diffundente se crimine plures species inciderunt. 5 Propositus est libellus sine auctore multorum nomina continens. Qui negabant esse se Christianos aut fuisse, cum praeeunte me deos appellarent et imagini tuae, quam propter hoc iusseram cum simulacris numinum afferri, ture ac vino supplicarent, praeterea male dicerent Christo, quorum nihil cogi posse dicuntur qui sunt re vera Christiani, dimittendos putavi.

Soon, as the very handling of the matter went on, as is wont to happen, the charge spreading itself, more kinds of cases arose. 5 A libellus without an author was presented, containing the names of many. Those who denied that they were or had been Christians—since, with me prompting, they invoked the gods and to your image, which for this purpose I had ordered to be brought together with the simulacra of the deities, they made supplication with incense and wine, and, furthermore, cursed Christ (none of which, it is said, those who are truly Christians can be forced to do)—I considered ought to be dismissed.

6 Alii ab indice nominati esse se Christianos dixerunt et mox negaverunt; fuisse quidem sed desisse, quidam ante triennium, quidam ante plures annos, non nemo etiam ante viginti. <Hi> quoque omnes et imaginem tuam deorumque simulacra venerati sunt et Christo male dixerunt. 7 Affirmabant autem hanc fuisse summam vel culpae suae vel erroris, quod essent soliti stato die ante lucem convenire, carmenque Christo quasi deo dicere secum invicem seque sacramento non in scelus aliquod obstringere, sed ne furta ne latrocinia ne adulteria committerent, ne fidem fallerent, ne depositum appellati abnegarent.

6 Others named by an informer said that they were Christians and soon denied it; that they had been indeed, but had ceased—some three years before, some several years before, not a few even twenty years before. <These> likewise all both venerated your image and the simulacra of the gods and spoke ill of Christ. 7 Moreover, they affirmed that this had been the sum and substance either of their fault or of their error: that they were accustomed on a stated day before light to assemble, and to say a chant to Christ as to a god among themselves in turn, and to bind themselves by a sacrament—not to some crime, but—that they would not commit thefts, nor latrociny, nor adulteries, that they would not betray pledged faith, that, when called upon, they would not deny a deposit.

Quibus peractis morem sibi discedendi fuisse rursusque coeundi ad capiendum cibum, promiscuum tamen et innoxium; quod ipsum facere desisse post edictum meum, quo secundum mandata tua hetaerias esse vetueram. 8 Quo magis necessarium credidi ex duabus ancillis, quae ministrae dicebantur, quid esset veri, et per tormenta quaerere. Nihil aliud inveni quam superstitionem pravam et immodicam.

After these things had been accomplished, they had had the custom of dispersing and then assembling again to take food, however communal and innocuous; and that they had ceased to do this very thing after my edict, by which, in accordance with your mandates, I had forbidden hetaeriae (associations) to exist. 8 Wherefore I believed it all the more necessary to ascertain from two slave-girls, who were called ministers, what was true, and to inquire by torments. I found nothing else than a depraved and immoderate superstition.

9 Ideo dilata cognitione ad consulendum te decucurri. Visa est enim mihi res digna consultatione, maxime propter periclitantium numerum. Multi enim omnis aetatis, omnis ordinis, utriusque sexus etiam vocantur in periculum et vocabuntur.

9 Therefore, the inquiry having been deferred, I hastened down to consult you. For the matter seemed to me worthy of consultation, especially on account of the number of those in peril. For many of every age, of every order, and of both sexes are even being summoned into peril, and will be summoned.

Neque civitates tantum, sed vicos etiam atque agros superstitionis istius contagio pervagata est; quae videtur sisti et corrigi posse. 10 Certe satis constat prope iam desolata templa coepisse celebrari, et sacra sollemnia diu intermissa repeti passimque venire <carnem> victimarum, cuius adhuc rarissimus emptor inveniebatur. Ex quo facile est opinari, quae turba hominum emendari possit, si sit paenitentiae locus.

Not only the cities, but even the villages and the fields as well have been pervaded by the contagion of that superstition; which seems able to be checked and corrected. 10 Certainly it is quite agreed that the temples, almost now deserted, have begun to be frequented, and that the solemn rites, long interrupted, are being resumed, and that the <meat> of the victims is coming in everywhere, of which until now a buyer was found most rarely. From which it is easy to suppose what a crowd of people can be reformed, if there is room for repentance.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

1 Actum quem debuisti, mi Secunde, in excutiendis causis eorum, qui Christiani ad te delati fuerant, secutus es. Neque enim in universum aliquid, quod quasi certam formam habeat, constitui potest. 2 Conquirendi non sunt; si deferantur et arguantur, puniendi sunt, ita tamen ut, qui negaverit se Christianum esse idque re ipsa manifestum fecerit, id est supplicando dis nostris, quamvis suspectus in praeteritum, veniam ex paenitentia impetret. Sine auctore vero propositi libelli <in> nullo crimine locum habere debent.

1 You have followed the course you ought, my Secundus, in examining the cases of those who had been delated to you as Christians. For nothing can be established in general which would have, as it were, a fixed form. 2 They are not to be sought out; if they are denounced and convicted, they must be punished, yet in such a way that whoever shall have denied that he is a Christian and shall have made that manifest in very deed—that is, by supplicating our gods—although suspected in the past, may obtain pardon from penitence. But libels put forward without an author ought to have place <in> no charge.

Nam et pessimi exempli nec nostri saeculi est.

For it is of the worst example and not of our age.

C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINY TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Amastrianorum civitas, domine, et elegans et ornata habet inter praecipua opera pulcherrimam eandemque longissimam plateam; cuius a latere per spatium omne porrigitur nomine quidem flumen, re vera cloaca foedissima, ac sicut turpis immundissimo aspectu, ita pestilens odore taeterrimo. 2 Quibus ex causis non minus salubritatis quam decoris interest eam contegi; quod fiet si permiseris curantibus nobis, ne desit quoque pecunia operi tam magno quam necessario.

1 The city of the Amastrians, my lord, both elegant and ornate, has among its principal works a most beautiful and at the same time longest street; along the side of which, for its whole extent, there stretches—by name indeed a river, but in reality a most filthy sewer—and as it is unsightly with a most unclean aspect, so it is pestilential with a most foul stench. 2 For which reasons, it concerns no less salubrity than decor that it be covered; which will be done if you permit us, being in charge, so that funds too may not be lacking for a work as great as it is necessary.

TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

Rationis est, mi Secunde carissime, contegi aquam istam, quae per civitatem Amastrianorum fluit, si intecta salubritati obest. Pecunia ne huic operi desit, curaturum te secundum diligentiam tuam certum habeo.

It is a matter of reason, my dearest Secundus, that that water which flows through the city of the Amastrians be covered, if its being uncovered is detrimental to salubrity. That money not be lacking for this work, I hold certain you will take care of, according to your diligence.

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C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINIUS TO EMPEROR TRAJAN

Vota, domine, priore anno nuncupata alacres laetique persolvimus novaque rursus certante commilitonum et provincialium pietate suscepimus, precati deos ut te remque publicam florentem et incolumem ea benignitate servarent, quam super magnas plurimasque virtutes praecipua sanctitate obsequio deorum honore meruisti.

Vows, lord, proclaimed in the prior year we, eager and glad, have paid in full, and anew we have again undertaken others with the rival piety of our fellow-soldiers and provincials, having prayed to the gods that they preserve you and the commonwealth flourishing and unharmed with that benignity which, over and above great and very many virtues, you have deserved by signal sanctity, by obedience to the gods, by honor.

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TRAIANUS PLINIO

TRAJAN TO PLINY

Solvisse vota dis immortalibus te praeeunte pro mea incolumitate commilitones cum provincialibus laetissimo consensu et in futurum nuncupasse libenter, mi Secunde carissime, cognovi litteris tuis.

I have learned from your letters, my dearest Secundus, that, with you leading, the fellow-soldiers together with the provincials, with a most joyful consensus, have discharged vows to the immortal gods for my safety and have gladly vowed for the future as well.

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C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI

C. PLINIUS TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN

Diem, quo in te tutela generis humani felicissima successione translata est, debita religione celebravimus, commendantes dis imperii tui auctoribus et vota publica et gaudia.

We celebrated, with due religion, the day on which the tutelage of the human race was transferred onto you by a most felicitous succession, commending to the gods, authors of your imperium, both the public vows and the joys.

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Diem imperii mei debita laetitia et religione commilitonibus et provincialibus praeeunte te celebratum libenter cognovi litteris tuis.

I gladly learned from your letters that the day of my imperium was celebrated with due joy and religion by the fellow-soldiers and the provincials, with you taking the lead.

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Valerius, domine, Paulinus excepto Paulino ius Latinorum suorum mihi reliquit; ex quibus rogo tribus interim ius Quiritium des. Vereor enim, ne sit immodicum pro omnibus pariter invocare indulgentiam tuam, qua debeo tanto modestius uti, quanto pleniorem experior. Sunt autem pro quibus peto: C. Valerius Astraeus, C. Valerius Dionysius, C. Valerius Aper.

Valerius Paulinus, my lord, left to me the Latin right of his own, Paulinus being excepted; of whom I ask that you grant for the present the Quiritarian right to three. For I fear lest it be immoderate to invoke your indulgence for all alike—an indulgence which I ought to use the more modestly, the more fully I experience it. Now, those for whom I petition are: C. Valerius Astraeus, C. Valerius Dionysius, C. Valerius Aper.

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Cum honestissime iis, qui apud fidem tuam a Valerio Paulino depositi sunt, consultum velis mature per me, iis interim, quibus nunc petisti, dedisse me ius Quiritium referri in commentarios meos iussi idem facturus in ceteris, pro quibus petieris.

Since you wish that provision be made most honorably, and promptly through me, for those who have been entrusted to your good faith by Valerius Paulinus, in the meantime, for those on whose behalf you have now petitioned, I have ordered it to be recorded in my commentaries that I have given Quiritary right; I will do the same for the others, on whose behalf you shall petition.

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Rogatus, domine, a P. Accio Aquila, centurione cohortis sextae equestris, ut mitterem tibi libellum per quem indulgentiam pro statu filiae suae implorat, durum putavi negare, cum scirem quantam soleres militum precibus patientiam humanitatemque praestare.

Asked, lord, by P. Accius Aquila, a centurion of the Sixth Equestrian Cohort, to send to you a petition by which he implores indulgence concerning the status of his daughter, I thought it hard to refuse, since I knew how great patience and humanity you were accustomed to bestow upon the petitions of soldiers.

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Libellum P. Accii Aquilae, centurionis sextae equestris, quem mihi misisti, legi; cuius precibus motus dedi filiae eius civitatem Romanam. Libellum rescriptum, quem illi redderes, misi tibi.

I have read the libellus of P. Accius Aquila, centurion of the Sixth Equestrian (cohort), which you sent to me; moved by his entreaties I have granted Roman citizenship to his daughter. The libellus with a rescript, for you to return to him, I have sent to you.

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1 Quid habere iuris velis et Bithynas et Ponticas civitates in exigendis pecuniis, quae illis vel ex locationibus vel ex venditionibus aliisve causis debeantur, rogo, domine, rescribas. Ego inveni a plerisque proconsulibus concessam iis protopraxian eamque pro lege valuisse. 2 Existimo tamen tua providentia constituendum aliquid et sanciendum per quod utilitatibus eorum in perpetuum consulatur.

1 I ask, lord, that you write back what right you wish the Bithynian and Pontic cities to have in exacting monies which are owed to them either from leasings or from sales or from other causes. I have found that a protopraxia was granted to them by very many proconsuls and that it had prevailed as if by law. 2 I judge, however, that by your providence something should be established and sanctioned whereby their utilities may be consulted for in perpetuity.

Nam quae sunt ab illis instituta, sint licet sapienter indulta, brevia tamen et infirma sunt, nisi illis tua contingit auctoritas.

For the things that have been instituted by them, although they may have been wisely granted, are nevertheless brief and infirm, unless your authority attaches to them.

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Quo iure uti debeant Bithynae vel Ponticae civitates in iis pecuniis, quae ex quaque causa rei publicae debebuntur, ex lege cuiusque animadvertendum est. Nam, sive habent privilegium, quo ceteris creditoribus anteponantur, custodiendum est, sive non habent, in iniuriam privatorum id dari a me non oportebit.

By what right the Bithynian or Pontic cities ought to employ themselves with respect to those moneys which, from whatever cause, will be owed to the commonwealth, must be noted from the law of each (city). For if they have a privilege by which they are set before other creditors, it must be kept; if they do not have it, it will not be proper for this to be granted by me to the injury of private persons.

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C. PLINIUS TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN

1 Ecdicus, domine, Amisenorum civitatis petebat apud me a Iulio Pisone denariorum circiter quadraginta milia donata ei publice ante viginti annos bule et ecclesia consentiente, utebaturque mandatis tuis, quibus eius modi donationes vetantur. 2 Piso contra plurima se in rem publicam contulisse ac prope totas facultates erogasse dicebat. Addebat etiam temporis spatium postulabatque, ne id, quod pro multis et olim accepisset, cum eversione reliquae dignitatis reddere cogeretur.

1 Ecdicus, my lord, on behalf of the city of the Amisenians, was demanding before me from Julius Piso about forty thousand denarii that had been given to him publicly twenty years earlier, with the boulē and the ecclesia consenting, and he was employing your mandates, by which donations of this kind are forbidden. 2 Piso, on the contrary, said that he had contributed very many things to the commonwealth and had expended almost all his resources. He also adduced the span of time and requested that he not be compelled to pay back what he had received long ago and for many services, together with the overthrow of his remaining dignity.

Quibus ex causis integram cognitionem differendam existimavi, ut te, domine, consulerem, quid sequendum putares.

For which reasons I thought that the full cognition should be deferred, so that I might consult you, lord, what you would think ought to be followed.

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Sicut largitiones ex publico fieri mandata prohibent, ita, ne multorum securitas subruatur, factas ante aliquantum temporis retractari atque in irritum vindicari non oportet. Quidquid ergo ex hac causa actum ante viginti annos erit, omittamus. Non minus enim hominibus cuiusque loci quam pecuniae publicae consultum volo.

Just as the mandates prohibit largesses from the public funds to be made, so, lest the security of many be undermined, it is not proper that those made some time ago be retracted and vindicated into nullity. Therefore whatever on this account was done before twenty years ago, let us omit. For I wish provision to be made no less for the men of each locality than for the public money.

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1 Lex Pompeia, domine, qua Bithyni et Pontici utuntur, eos, qui in bulen a censoribus leguntur, dare pecuniam non iubet; sed ii, quos indulgentia tua quibusdam civitatibus super legitimum numerum adicere permisit, et singula milia denariorum et bina intulerunt. 2 Anicius deinde Maximus proconsul eos etiam, qui a censoribus legerentur, dumtaxat in paucissimis civitatibus aliud aliis iussit inferre. 3 Superest ergo, ut ipse dispicias, an in omnibus civitatibus certum aliquid omnes, qui deinde buleutae legentur, debeant pro introitu dare.

1 The Pompeian law, lord, which the Bithynians and Pontics use, does not order those who are enrolled into the boule by the censors to give money; but those whom your indulgence has permitted certain cities to add beyond the legitimate number have paid, some 1,000 denarii, others 2,000. 2 Then Anicius Maximus, proconsul, even ordered those who were being chosen by the censors, only in a very few cities, to pay different amounts to different parties. 3 Therefore it remains for you yourself to consider whether in all the cities all who shall thereafter be chosen as bouleutae ought to give some fixed amount for entry.

Nam, quod in perpetuum mansurum est, a te constitui decet, cuius factis dictisque debetur aeternitas.

For that which will remain in perpetuity, it is fitting to be established by you, to whose deeds and sayings eternity is owed.

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Honorarium decurionatus omnes, qui in quaque civitate Bithyniae decuriones fiunt, inferre debeant necne, in universum a me non potest statui. Id ergo, quod semper tutissimum est, sequendam cuiusque civitatis legem puto, sed verius eos, qui invitati fiunt decuriones, id existimo acturos, ut praestatione ceteris praeferantur.

Whether all who in each city of Bithynia become decurions ought to pay the honorarium of the decurionate or not cannot be determined by me in general. Therefore, what is always safest, I think the law of each city should be followed; but more rightly I consider that those who are made decurions by invitation should, in the matter of the payment, be preferred to the others.

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1 Lege, domine, Pompeia permissum Bithynicis civitatibus ascribere sibi quos vellent cives, dum ne quem earum civitatium, quae sunt in Bithynia. Eadem lege sancitur, quibus de causis e senatu a censoribus eiciantur. 2 Inde me quidam ex censoribus consulendum putaverunt, an eicere deberent eum qui esset alterius civitatis.

1 By the Pompeian law, lord, it was permitted to the Bithynian communities to ascribe to themselves as citizens whom they wished, provided that they not ascribe anyone from those communities which are in Bithynia. By the same law it is sanctioned for what causes they are to be ejected from the senate by the censors. 2 Hence some of the censors thought I should be consulted whether they ought to eject a man who belonged to another community.

3 Ego quia lex sicut ascribi civem alienum vetabat, ita eici e senatu ob hanc causam non iubebat, praeterea, quod affirmabatur mihi in omni civitate plurimos esse buleutas ex aliis civitatibus, futurumque ut multi homines multaeque civitates concuterentur ea parte legis, quae iam pridem consensu quodam exolevisset, necessarium existimavi consulere te, quid servandum putares. Capita legis his litteris subieci.

3 Because the law, just as it forbade that a foreigner be ascribed as a citizen, so did not order that one be ejected from the senate for this cause; moreover, since it was affirmed to me that in every city very many bouleutae (councilors) were from other cities, and that it would come to pass that many men and many cities would be shaken by that part of the law which had long since, by a certain consensus, become obsolete, I judged it necessary to consult you as to what you would think ought to be observed. I have subjoined the heads of the law to this letter.

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Merito haesisti, Secunde carissime, quid a te rescribi oporteret censoribus consulentibus, an <manere deberent> in senatu aliarum civitatium, eiusdem tamen provinciae cives. Nam et legis auctoritas et longa consuetudo usurpata contra legem in diversum movere te potuit. Mihi hoc temperamentum eius placuit, ut ex praeterito nihil novaremus, sed manerent quamvis contra legem asciti quarumcumque civitatium cives, in futurum autem lex Pompeia observaretur; cuius vim si retro quoque velimus custodire, multa necesse est perturbari.

You hesitated with good reason, dearest Secundus, as to what ought to be written back by you to the censors consulting, whether citizens of other cities, yet of the same province, <should remain> in the senate. For both the authority of the law and a long consuetude, usurped against the law, could have moved you in opposite directions. This compromise of the matter has pleased me: that we make no innovation regarding what is past, but that citizens of whatever cities, although admitted contrary to the law, should remain; for the future, however, the Pompeian law should be observed. If we should wish to guard its force retroactively as well, it is necessary that many things be perturbed.

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1 Qui virilem togam sumunt vel nuptias faciunt vel ineunt magistratum vel opus publicum dedicant, solent totam bulen atque etiam e plebe non exiguum numerum vocare binosque denarios vel singulos dare. Quod an celebrandum et quatenus putes, rogo scribas. 2 Ipse enim, sicut arbitror, praesertim ex sollemnibus causis, concedendum ius istud invitationis, ita vereor ne ii qui mille homines, interdum etiam plures vocant, modum excedere et in speciem διανομῆς incidere videantur.

1 Those who assume the manly toga, or contract marriages, or enter a magistracy, or dedicate a public work, are accustomed to invite the whole boulē and even a not inconsiderable number from the plebs, and to give two denarii or one apiece. I ask you to write whether you think this is to be celebrated and to what extent. 2 For I myself, as I suppose, especially for solemn causes, would grant that right of invitation; yet I fear lest those who invite a thousand men, sometimes even more, seem to exceed the due measure and fall into the appearance of a διανομή, a distribution.

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Merito vereris, ne in speciem διανομῆς incidat invitatio, quae et in numero modum excedit et quasi per corpora, non viritim singulos ex notitia ad sollemnes sportulas contrahit. Sed ego ideo prudentiam tuam elegi, ut formandis istius provinciae moribus ipse moderareris et ea constitueres, quae ad perpetuam eius provinciae quietem essent profutura.

You rightly fear, lest the invitation fall into the appearance of a diánomē (distribution), which both exceeds the limit in number and, as it were through corpora (guilds), gathers people not man-by-man individually from acquaintance to the customary sportulae. But I for that reason chose your prudence, that you yourself might moderate the forming of the morals of that province and establish those things which would be likely to be of profit for the perpetual quiet of that province.

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1 Athletae, domine, ea quae pro iselasticis certaminibus constituisti, deberi sibi putant statim ex eo die, quo sunt coronati; nihil enim referre, quando sint patriam invecti, sed quando certamine vicerint, ex quo invehi possint. Ego contra scribo 'iselastici nomine': itaque Åeorum vehementer addubitem an sit potius id tempus, quo εἰσήλασαν intuendum. 2 Iidem obsonia petunt pro eo agone, qui a te iselasticus factus est, quamvis vicerint ante quam fieret.

1 Athletes, lord, think that those things which you have established for iselastic competitions are owed to them immediately from the day on which they were crowned; for it makes no difference when they are conveyed into their patria, but when they have won the competition, from which they can be carried in. I, contrariwise, write 'under the name "iselastic"': and so I strongly hesitate whether rather the time when they made their entry should be regarded. 2 The same men ask for provisions for that contest which by you has been made iselastic, although they won before it was made so.

Aiunt enim congruens esse, sicut non detur sibi pro iis certaminibus, quae esse iselastica postquam vicerunt desierunt, ita pro iis dari quae esse coeperunt. 3 Hic quoque non mediocriter haereo, ne cuiusquam retro habeatur ratio dandumque, quod tunc cum vincerent non debebatur. Rogo ergo, ut dubitationem meam regere, id est beneficia tua interpretari ipse digneris.

For they say that it is congruent that, just as it is not granted to them for those contests which, after they won, ceased to be iselastic, so it should be given for those which began to be such. 3 Here too I am not moderately at a loss, lest any account be had retroactively and something be given which at the time when they were winning was not owed. I therefore ask that you yourself deign to guide my doubt, that is, to interpret your benefactions.

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Iselasticum tunc primum mihi videtur incipere deberi, cum quis in civitatem suam ipse εἰσήλασεν. Obsonia eorum certaminum, quae iselastica esse placuit mihi, si ante iselastica non fuerunt, retro non debentur. Nec proficere pro desiderio athletarum potest, quod eorum, quae postea iselastica non esse constitui, quam vicerunt, accipere desierunt. Mutata enim condicione certaminum nihilo minus, quae ante perceperant, non revocantur.

It seems to me that the iselasticum then first begins to be owed, when someone has himself εἰσήλασεν into his own city. The food-allowances of those contests which it has pleased me to deem iselastic, if previously they were not iselastic, are not owed retroactively. Nor can it further the athletes’ desire that they stopped receiving the emoluments of those contests which they had won, which afterward I decided are not iselastic. For, even though the condition of the contests has been changed, nevertheless the things which they had received before are not recalled.

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1 Usque in hoc tempus, domine, neque cuiquam diplomata commodavi neque in rem ullam nisi tuam misi. Quam perpetuam servationem meam quaedam necessitas rupit. 2 Uxori enim meae audita morte avi volenti ad amitam suam excurrere usum eorum negare durum putavi, cum talis officii gratia in celeritate consisteret, sciremque te rationem itineris probaturum, cuius causa erat pietas.

1 Up to this time, lord, I have lent diplomas (travel-passes) to no one, nor have I sent anything on any business except yours. Some necessity broke this perpetual observance of mine. 2 For to my wife, on hearing of her grandfather’s death and wishing to hasten to her aunt, I thought it harsh to deny the use of them, since the favor due in such an office consisted in speed; and I knew that you would approve the rationale of the journey, the cause of which was piety (filial duty).

Haec tibi scripsi, quia mihi parum gratus fore videbar, si dissimulassem inter alia beneficia hoc unum quoque me debere indulgentiae tuae, quod fiducia eius quasi consulto te non dubitavi facere, quem si consuluissem, sero fecissem.

I have written this to you, because I seemed to myself that I would be too little grateful, if I had dissembled, among other benefits, that I owe this one also to your indulgence, in that, trusting in it, I did not hesitate to do as though I had consulted you—whom, if I had consulted, I would have done it too late.

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Merito habuisti, Secunde carissime, fiduciam animi mei nec dubitandum fuisset, si exspectasses donec me consuleres, an iter uxoris tuae diplomatibus, quae officio tuo dedi, adiuvandum esset, cum apud amitam suam uxor tua deberet etiam celeritate gratiam adventus sui augere.

You rightly had, dearest Secundus, confidence in my disposition, and there would have been no need to doubt, if you had waited until you consulted me, whether your wife’s journey should be assisted by the diplomas which I gave to your office, since with her aunt your wife ought even by celerity to augment the favor of her arrival.