In Our Time

Pliny the Younger

Dec 12, 2013

Pliny the Younger, a prominent lawyer and governor in Rome, shares insights into ancient society through his prolific letters. Topics include his rise to success, governance challenges in wealthy provinces, political maneuvers, bravery during Vesuvius eruption, and correspondence on Christianity and literary style.

41:46

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Pliny the Younger

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Quick takeaways

Pliny the Younger's letters provide insights into ancient Rome's daily life, depicting vivid eyewitness accounts and irrigation schemes.

Pliny's governance of Bithynia Pontus included handling administrative challenges, seeking advice from Emperor Trajan on various issues like managing soldier deployment and legal disputes.

Deep dives

Pliny's Early Life and Rise in Roman Society

Pliny the Younger was born around 60 AD in northern Italy. He grew up in a wealthy family, and his prominent relative was his maternal uncle, the elder Pliny, a respected scholar. Pliny established himself as a successful lawyer in Rome, progressing through key Roman career stages like Quaestor, Praetor, and Consul rapidly. Despite surviving a political trial and era, he advanced to become a notable member of the Roman administration.

Introduction

3min

The Extent and Wealth of the Roman Empire and Pliny's Background

2min

The Rise of a Roman Aristocrat

4min

Governance Challenges and Financial Management in Wealthy Provinces

2min

Pliny the Younger's Letters: Insights into Relationships and Political Maneuvers

16min

Uncle Pliny's Bravery and Tragic End

5min

Pliny the Younger's Correspondence and Governance in Bithynia

8min

Exploring Pliny the Younger's Correspondence on Christianity and Literary Style

3min

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the life and work of Pliny the Younger, famous for his letters. A prominent lawyer in Rome in the first century AD, Pliny later became governor of the province of Bithynia, on the Black Sea coast of modern Turkey. Throughout his career he was a prolific letter-writer, sharing his thoughts with great contemporaries including the historian Tacitus, and asking the advice of the Emperor Trajan. Pliny's letters offer fascinating insights into life in ancient Rome and its empire, from the mundane details of irrigation schemes to his vivid eyewitness account of the eruption of Vesuvius.

With:

Catharine Edwards Professor of Classics and Ancient History at Birkbeck, University of London

Roy Gibson Professor of Latin at the University of Manchester

Alice König Lecturer in Latin and Classical Studies at the University of St Andrews

Producer: Thomas Morris.

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In Our Time

Pliny the Younger

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Pliny's Early Life and Rise in Roman Society

Pliny's Correspondence and Literary Endeavors

Pliny's Governance and Consultation with Emperor Trajan

Pliny's Literary Artistry and Historical Significance

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts