A Natural History, in thirty-seven Books, is Pliny’s only extant work. (For his numerous other writings see Pliny the Younger, Ep. iii. 5.) ‘It is a priceless storehouse of information on every branch of natural science as known to the ancient world.’—Mackail.
His work has been called the first popular encyclopedia of natural science.
Plinius Aetatis Suae Doctissimus.—Gellius.
C. PLINIUS CAECILIUS SECUNDUS, 62-113 A.D.
1. Life.
PLINY
THE YOUNGER.
Pliny the Younger was the son of C. Caecilius and of Plinia, the sister of the elder Pliny. He was born at Comum (Como), also the birthplace of his celebrated uncle. His father died when he was eight years old, and he was placed under the care of a guardian, Verginius Rufus, one of the most distinguished Romans of the day, since he had held the crown within his grasp and had declined to wear it, 68 A.D. Verginius was not much of a student, but Pliny learned from him high ideals of duty and noble thoughts about the Rome of earlier days, and never lost his unbounded admiration and respect for his guardian (Ep. ii. 1). Under his uncle’s watchful care he received the best education Rome could give, and studied rhetoric under the great Quintilian. His bachelor uncle on his death in 79 left him his heir, adopting him in his will. Gifted with wealth, enthusiasm, taste for publicity, and a wide circle of influential friends, Pliny could not be content with the career of a simple eques. Accordingly he began the course of office that led to the Senate and the Consulship, and finally in 111 A.D. was appointed by Trajan governor of Bithynia, where he discharged his duties with skill and ability. His service seems to have been terminated only with his death.
2. Works.
Epistulae, Letters in nine Books, to which is added Pliny’s correspondence with Trajan during his governorship of Bithynia. These and his Panegyricus, in praise of Trajan, are his only extant works.
It is on his Letters that Pliny’s fame now rests, and both in tone and style they are a monument that does him honour. In many cases they were written for publication, and thus can never have the unique and surpassing interest that belongs to those of Cicero, but they give a varied and interesting picture of the time. ‘In the Letters the character of the writer, its virtues and its weakness, is throughout unmistakeable. Pliny, the patriotic citizen,—Pliny, the munificent patron,—Pliny, the eminent man of letters,—Pliny, the affectionate husband and humane master,—Pliny, the man of principle, is in his various phases the real subject of the whole collection.’—Mackail.