Plini Secundi epistularum libri novem: Epistularum ad Traianum liber. Panegyricus

by Pliny the Younger

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490 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1992

About the author

Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus, born Gaius Caecilius or Gaius Caecilius Cilo (61 AD – ca. 112 AD), better known as Pliny the Younger, was a lawyer, author, and magistrate of Ancient Rome. Pliny's uncle, Pliny the Elder, helped raise and educate him and they were both witnesses to the eruption of Vesuvius on 24 August 79 AD.

"You would have heard the wails of women, the shrieks of infants, shouts of men; some were seeking parents with their voices, others children, others spouses, and by their voices they were recognizing them; some were pitying their own misfortune, others the misfortune of their families; there were those who - due to the fear of death - were praying for death; many raised their hands toward the gods, more were concluding that there were no gods anywhere, and that this was the perpetual and final night for the world."

-Pliny the Younger, Letters, 16.20.14-15

Reviews

[Gianluca · Rating 5 out of 5]

C. Plinius Caninio [Rufo] suo s.
Quid agit Comum, tuae meaque deliciae? Quid suburbanum amoenissimum? Quid illa porticus verna semper? Quid platanon opacissimus? Quid euripus viridis et gemmeus? Quid subiectus et serviens lacus? Quid illa mollis et tamen solida gestatio? Quid balineum illud, quod plurimus sol implet et circumit? Quid triclinia illa popularia, illa paucorum? Quid cubicula diurna, nocturna? Possident te et per vices partiuntur? An, ut solebas, intentione rei familiaris obeundae crebris excursionibus avocaris? Si possident, felix beatusque es; si minus, "unus ex multis".

Plinio a Caninio
Che si fa a Como Città, che noi tanto amiamo? Quella Villa che tu hai nel Borgo, è più così deliziosa? Quella Galleria, ove si gode sempre la Primavera, non ha già perduto niente del suo dilettevole? Le tue pianure conservano ancora la freschezza dell'ombra? Quel Canale, che si gira, e rigira in tanti, e sì differenti modi, conserva ancora le sue sponde sì verdi, e le sue acque sì pure? Non mi dirai cosa alcuna di quel grande Stagno, che par fatto apposta per riceverle? Che nuova mi dai di quel lungo viale, il cui terreno è sodo senza esser ruvido? Di quel Bagno, dove batte il Sole a tutte l'ore del giorno? In quale stato si trovano quelle Sale, dove tu tieni tavola aperta; e quelle, che non sono destinate, che per i tuoi particolari Amici? I nostri Appartamenti di giorno, e di notte, quei luoghi ameni hanno tuttavia la fortuna di servirti d'una scambievole, ma non men grata abitazione? Dove la cura di accrescer l'entrate ti tiene intensamente occupato? Tu sei il più felice degli Uomini, se godi di tanti beni: ma tu non sei che un'Uomo ordinario, se non li sai godere. (Trad. Gio: Antonio Tedeschi, Roma 1717)