|
Correspondence With The Emperor TrajanPart I
Part I
I^1
To the Emperor Trajan
[Footnote 1: The greater part of the following letters were written by Pliny
during his administration in the province of Bithynia. They are of a style and
character extremely different from those in the preceding collection; whence
some critics have injudiciously inferred that they are the production of
another hand: not considering that the occasion necessarily required a
different manner. In letters of business, as these chiefly are, turn and
sentiment would be foreign and impertinent; politeness and elegance of
expression being the essentials that constitute perfection in this kind: and
in that view, though they may be less entertaining, they have not less merit
than the former. But besides their particular excellence as letters, they have
a farther recommendation as so many valuable pieces of history, by throwing a
strong light upon the character of one of the most amiable and glorious
princes in the Roman annals. Trajan appears throughout in the most striking
attitude that majesty can be placed in; in the exertion of power to the
godlike purposes of justice and benevolence: and what one of the ancient
historians has said of him is here clearly verified, that "he rather chose to
be loved than flattered by his people." To have been distinguished by the
favour and friendship of a monarch of so exalted a character is an honour that
reflects the brightest lustre upon our author; as to have been served and
celebrated by a courtier of Pliny`s genius and virtues is the noblest monument
of glory that could have been raised to Trajan. M.]
The pious affection you bore, most sacred Emperor, to your august father
induced you to wish it might be late ere you succeeded him. But the immortal
gods thought proper to hasten the advancement of those virtues to the helm of
the commonwealth which had already shared in the steerage.^2 May you then, and
the world through your means, enjoy every prosperity worthy of your reign: to
which let me add my wishes, most excellent Emperor, upon a private as well as
public account, that your health and spirits may be preserved firm and
unbroken.
[Footnote 2: Nerva, who succeeded Domitian, reigned but sixteen months and a
few days. Before his death he not only adopted Trajan, and named him for his
successor, but actually admitted him into a share of the government; giving
him the titles of Caesar, Germanicus, and Imperator. Vid. Plin. Paneg. M.]
II
To the Emperor Trajan
You have occasioned me, Sir, an inexpressible pleasure in deeming me
worthy of enjoying the privilege which the laws confer on those who have three
children. For although it was from an indulgence to the request of the
excellent Julius Servianus, your own most devoted servant, that you granted
this favour, yet I have the satisfaction to find by the words of your rescript
that you complied the more willingly as his application was in my behalf. I
cannot but look upon myself as in possession of my utmost wish, after having
thus received, at the beginning of your most auspicious reign, so
distinguishing a mark of your peculiar favour; at the same time that it
considerably heightens my desire of leaving a family behind me. I was not
entirely without this desire even in the late most unhappy times: as my two
marriages will induce you to believe. But the gods decreed it better, by
reserving every valuable privilege to the bounty of your generous
dispensations. And indeed the pleasure of being a father will be so much more
acceptable to me now, that I can enjoy it in full security and happiness.
III
To the Emperor Trajan
The experience, most excellent Emperor, I have had of your unbounded
generosity to me, in my own person, encourages me to hope I may be yet farther
obliged to it, in that of my friends. Voconius Romanus (who was my
schoolfellow and companion from our earliest years) claims the first rank in
that number; in consequence of which I petitioned your sacred father to
promote him to the dignity of the senatorial order. But the completion of my
request is reserved to your goodness; for his mother had not then advanced, in
the manner the law directs, the liberal gift of four hundred thousand
sesterces,^1 which she engaged to give him, in her letter to the late emperor,
your father. This, however, by my advice she has since done, having made over
certain estates to him, as well as completed every other act necessary to make
the conveyance valid. The difficulties therefore being removed which deferred
the gratification of our wishes, it is with full confidence I venture to
assure you of the worth of my friend Romanus, heightened and adorned as it is
not only by liberal culture, but by his extraordinary tenderness to his
parents as well. It is to that virtue he owes the present liberality of his
mother; as well as his immediate succession to his late father`s estate, and
his adoption by his father-in-law. To these personal qualifications, the
wealth and rank of his family give additional lustre; and I persuade myself it
will be some further recommendation that I solicit in his behalf. Let me,
then, entreat you, Sir, to enable me to congratulate Romanus on so desirable
an occasion, and at the same time to indulge an eager and, I hope, laudable
ambition, of having it in my power to boast that your favourable regards are
extended not only to myself, but also to my friend.
[Footnote 1: $16,000.]
IV
To the Emperor Trajan
When by your gracious indulgence, Sir, I was appointed to preside at the
treasury of Saturn, I immediately renounced all engagements of the bar (as
indeed I never blended business of that kind with the functions of the state),
that no avocations might call off my attention from the post to which I was
appointed. For this reason, when the province of Africa petitioned the senate
that I might undertake their cause against Marius Priscus, I excused myself
from that office; and my excuse was allowed. But when afterwards the consul
elect proposed that the senate should apply to us again, and endeavour to
prevail with us to yield to its inclinations, and suffer our names to be
thrown into the urn, I thought it most agreeable to that tranquillity and good
order which so happily distinguishes your times not to oppose (especially in
so reasonable an instance) the will of that august assembly. And, as I am
desirous that all my words and actions may receive the sanction of your
exemplary virtue, I hope you approve of my compliance.
V
Trajan to Pliny
You acted as became a good citizen and a worthy senator, by paying
obedience to the just requisition of that august assembly: and I have full
confidence you will faithfully discharge the business you have undertaken.
VI
To the Emperor Trajan
Having been attacked last year by a very severe and dangerous illness, I
employed a physician, whose care and diligence, Sir, I cannot sufficiently
reward, but by your gracious assistance. I entreat you therefore to make him a
denizen of Rome; for as he is the freedman of a foreign lady, he is,
consequently, himself also a foreigner. His name is Harpocras; his patroness
(who has been dead a considerable time) was Thermuthis, the daughter of Theon.
I further entreat you to bestow the full privileges of a Roman citizen upon
Hedia and Antonia Harmeris, the freedwomen of Antonia Maximilla, a lady of
great merit. It is at her desire I make this request.
VII
To the Emperor Trajan
I return you thanks, Sir, for your ready compliance with my desire, in
granting the complete privileges of a Roman to the freedwomen of a lady to
whom I am allied, and also for making Harpocras, my physician, a denizen of
Rome. But when, agreeably to your directions, I gave in an account of his age
and estate, I was informed by those who are better skilled in the affairs than
I pretend to be, that, as he is an Egyptian, I ought first to have obtained
for him the freedom of Alexandria before he was made free of Rome. I confess,
indeed, as I was ignorant of any difference in this case between those of
Egypt and other countries, I contended myself with only acquainting you that
he had been manumitted by a foreign lady long since deceased. However, it is
an ignorance I cannot regret, since it affords me an opportunity of receiving
from you a double obligation in favour of the same person. That I may legally
therefore enjoy the benefit of your goodness, I beg you would be pleased to
grant him the freedom of the city of Alexandria, as well as that of Rome. And
that your gracious intentions may not meet with any further obstacles, I have
taken care, as you directed, to send an account to your freedman of his age
and possessions.
VIII
Trajan to Pliny
It is my resolution, in pursuance of the maxim observed by the prince my
predecessors, to be extremely cautious in granting the freedom of the city of
Alexandria: however, since you have obtained of me the freedom of Rome for
your physician Harpocras, I cannot refuse you this other request. You must let
me know to what district he belongs, that I may give you a letter to my friend
Pompeius Planta, governor of Egypt.
IX
To the Emperor Trajan
I cannot express, Sir, the pleasure your letter gave me, by which I am
informed that you have made my physician Harpocras a denizen of Alexandria;
notwithstanding your resolution to follow the maxim of your predecessors in
this point, by being extremely cautious in granting that privilege. Agreeably
to your directions, I acquaint you that Harpocras belongs to the district of
Memphis.^1 I entreat you then, most gracious Emperor, to send me, as you
promised, a letter to your friend Pompeius Planta, governor of Egypt.
[Footnote 1: One of the four governments of Lower Egypt. M.]
As I purpose (in order to have the earliest enjoyment of your presence,
so ardently wished for here) to come to meet you, I beg, Sir, you would permit
me to extend my journey as far as possible.
X
To the Emperor Trajan
I was greatly obliged, Sir, in my late illness, to Posthumius Marinus, my
physician; and I cannot make him a suitable return, but by the assistance of
your wonted gracious indulgence. I entreat you then to make Chrysippus
Mithridates and his wife Stratonica (who are related to Marinus) denizens of
Rome. I entreat likewise the same privilege in favour of Epigonus and
Mithridates, the two sons of Chrysippus; but with this restriction,^1 that
they may remain under the dominion of their father, and yet reserve their
right of patronage over their own freedmen. I further entreat you to grant the
full privileges of a Roman to L. Satrius Abascantius, P. Caesius Phosphorus,
and Pancharia Soteris. This request I make with the consent of their patrons.
[Footnote 1: The extensive power of paternal authority was (as has been
observed in the notes above) peculiar to the Romans. But after Chrysippus was
made a denizen of Rome, he was not, it would seem, consequentially entitled to
that privilege over those children which were born before his denization. On
the other hand, if it was expressly granted him, his children could not
preserve their right of patronage over their own freedmen, because that right
would of course devolve to their father, by means of this acquired dominion
over them. The denization therefore of his children is as expressly solicited
as his own. But both parties becoming Quirites, the children by this creation,
and not pleading in right of their father, would be patres fam. To prevent
which the clause is added, "ita ut sint in patris potestate": as there is
another to save to them their rights of patronage over their freedmen, though
they were reduced in patriam potestatem. M.]
|
