Author Description

Letters of Pliny the Younger (c. 100-112 AD) stands as a remarkable collection of personal and official correspondence that provides invaluable insights into Roman life, politics, and society during the height of the Empire. Written by a prominent Roman administrator and intellectual, these letters offer a vivid portrait of elite Roman life while documenting significant historical events, including the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and early persecution of Christians. We have updated this timeless classic into a modern, updated translation so you can understand exactly what Pliny the Younger wrote nearly two thousand years ago! At its heart, the collection consists of nine books of private letters and one book of official correspondence with Emperor Trajan during Pliny's governorship of Bithynia-Pontus. The private letters cover an extraordinary range of topics, from literary criticism and villa management to friendship and provincial administration. The work is particularly notable for its candid descriptions of Roman daily life, social customs, and political maneuvering. His famous eyewitness account of Vesuvius's eruption and his uncle's death provides one of history's most important natural disaster narratives. What distinguishes this collection is its unique combination of personal observation, administrative detail, and literary craftsmanship. While clearly written with an eye toward publication, the letters maintain an intimate tone while providing crucial historical documentation. His correspondence with Trajan on various administrative matters, especially his famous exchange regarding the treatment of Christians, offers rare insights into Roman provincial governance and the early Church's relationship with imperial authority. The letters demonstrate remarkable range in both style and content. They include everything from delicate personal recommendations to detailed architectural descriptions, from discussions of literary st