Pliny the Younger

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how Pliny the Younger was a man who was very wealthy, came from a strong family, and was well educated. He was an excellent lawyer and writer who had many different views on life that he was able to express in a series of ten books called the "Epistulas". In particular, it looks at how in these books, he showed sympathy towards women, which was something that not many people did during the Roman Empire because women were looked at as property and did not have many rights.

From the Paper:

"Throughout his life he was widely known for his civil service and as orator but he is now widely known for his Epistulae or his composition of a series of letters. He published nine books between 100 and 109 which started with the death of the Emperor Domitian. He also published a tenth book which dealt with letters to Emperor Trajan, as well as, the emperor's replies to these letters about problems with the empire. The first nine books are composed of 247 personal letters while Pliny the Younger was a Roman official and have many subjects that are written in historical, poetical, and oratorical themes. Such topics in these letters were those written to certain men whom he wished to help further their careers and other letters were on the topic of his uncle's death due to Mount Vesuvius and his wives. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Fantham, Elaine and Helene Peet Foley, et al. Women in the Classical World. New York: Oxford UP, 1994.
• Gardner, Jane F. Women in Roman Law and Society. Indiana: Indiana UP, 1991.
• "Pliny the Younger." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 22 Jan. 2009 <http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9060424.>
• "Pliny the Younger and his Wife's Miscarriage." Pediatrics Nov 1985: 833.

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