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78. TRAIANUS PLINIO
1 Ea condicio est civitatis Byzantiorum confluente undique in eam commeantium turba, ut secundum consuetudinem praecedentium temporum honoribus eius praesidio centurionis legionarii consulendum habuerimus.
78 (82.) — TRAJAN TO PLINY.
The condition of the city of Byzantium is such, owing to the great confluence of travellers into it from all parts, that, in accordance with the usage of previous times, I considered it proper to provide for its repute by a Legionary Centurion’s guard. If we shall think fit to assist the people of Juliopolis in the same way, we shall be burdening ourselves with a precedent. A number of others, and all the more so, the weaker they are, will be making the same request. I have such confidence in your diligence as to believe that you will use every exertion to prevent their being exposed to acts of oppression. If, however, any persons shall behave themselves contrary to my injunctions, let them be at once imprisoned: or if their offences are too great to be adequately punished in a summary way; in case they are soldiers, inform their generals of what you have discovered: in case they are coming to Rome, write to me.
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79. C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
1 Cautum est, domine, Pompeia lege quae Bithynis data est, ne quis capiat magistratum neve sit in senatu minor annorum triginta. Eadem lege comprehensum est, ut qui ceperint magistratum sint in senatu. 2 Secutum est dein edictum divi Augusti, quo permisit minores magistratus ab annis duobus et viginti capere. 3 Quaeritur ergo an, qui minor triginta annorum gessit magistratum, possit a censoribus in senatum legi, et, si potest, an ii quoque, qui non gesserint, possint per eandem interpretationem ab ea aetate senatores legi, a qua illis magistratum gerere permissum est; quod alioqui factitatum adhuc et esse necessarium dicitur, quia sit aliquanto melius honestorum hominum liberos quam e plebe in curiam admitti. 4 Ego a destinatis censoribus quid sentirem interrogatus eos quidem, qui minores triginta annis gessissent magistratum, putabam posse in senatum et secundum edictum Augusti et secundum legem Pompeiam legi, quoniam Augustus gerere magistratus minoribus annis triginta permisisset, lex senatorem esse voluisset qui gessisset magistratum. 5 De iis autem qui non gessissent, quamvis essent aetatis eiusdem cuius illi quibus gerere permissum est, haesitabam; per quod effectum est ut te, domine, consulerem, quid observari velles. Capita legis, tum edictum Augusti litteris subieci.
79 (83.) — TO TRAJAN.
It was provided, sir, by a law of Pompey’s given to the Bithynians, that no person should hold a public office, or sit in the Senate, under the age of thirty years. The same law included a provision that those who had been admitted to public offices should sit in the Senate. After this came an edict of the Emperor Augustus, allowing younger men to take office, the limit being two and twenty years. The question is, then, whether a man under thirty years of age, who has held office can be chosen by the Censors as a senator? And if he can, whether such also as have not held it, can, by a like interpretation, be chosen senators from the same age at which it is allowed them to hold an office? a thing which, besides has not only been often done up to the present time, but is even said to be necessary, since it is somewhat better that the sons of men of position should be admitted into the Senate rather than plebeians. Having been asked for my opinion by the Censors elect, I thought that those under thirty years of age who had held office might be chosen senators, in accordance both with the edict of Augustus and the law of Pompey: inasmuch as Augustus had allowed persons under thirty to hold office, and the law enacted that he who had held office should be a senator. As to such as had not held it, although of the same age as those who had been allowed to hold it, I hesitated. Hence I have been brought to consult you, sir, as to what course you would have followed. I have appended to this edict the heads of the law, also the edict of Augustus.
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80. TRAIANUS PLINIO
Interpretationi tuae, mi Secunde carissime, idem existimo: hactenus edicto divi Augusti novatam esse legem Pompeiam, ut magistratum quidem capere possent ii, qui non minores duorum et viginti annorum essent, et qui cepissent, in senatum cuiusque civitatis pervenirent. Ceterum non capto magistratu eos, qui minores triginta annorum sint, quia magistratum capere possint, in curiam etiam loci cuiusque non existimo legi posse.
80 (84.) — TRAJAN TO PLINY.
I agree with you, dearest Secundus, in your interpretation, that Pompey’s law has been amended by the Emperor Augustus’s edict so far as this, that persons can be admitted to public offices, who are not under twenty-two years of age, and that such as had been so admitted should find their way into the Senate of each commonwealth. But, where no office has been entered on, I do not think that those who are under thirty years are capable of being chosen senators in their several localities, on the ground that they are eligible for such offices.
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81. C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
1 Cum Prusae ad Olympum, domine, publicis negotiis intra hospitium eodem die exiturus vacarem, Asclepiades magistratus indicavit appellatum me a Claudio Eumolpo. Cum Cocceianus Dion in bule assignari civitati opus cuius curam egerat vellet, tum Eumolpus assistens Flavio Archippo dixit exigendam esse a Dione rationem operis, ante quam rei publicae traderetur, quod aliter fecisset ac debuisset. 2 Adiecit etiam esse in eodem positam tuam statuam et corpora sepultorum, uxoris Dionis et filii, postulavitque ut cognoscerem pro tribunali. 3 Quod cum ego me protinus facturum dilaturumque profectionem dixissem, ut longiorem diem ad struendam causam darem utque in alia civitate cognoscerem petiit. 4 Ego me auditurum Nicaeae respondi. Ubi cum consedissem cogniturus, idem Eumolpus tamquam si adhuc parum instructus dilationem petere coepit, contra Dion ut audiretur exigere. 5 Dicta sunt utrimque multa, etiam de causa. Ego cum dandam dilationem et
81 (85.) — TO TRAJAN.
While I was employed in public business in my own apartments at Prusa under Mount Olympus, sir, being about to leave the same day, Asclepiades, a magistrate, announced that an appeal had been lodged with me by Claudius Eumolpus. Coccianus Dion having moved in the Council that a construction which he had had the charge of should be assigned to the city, thereupon Eumolpus, backed by Flavius Archippus, declared that Dion should be required to furnish the accounts relating to the construction before it was handed over to the city, on the ground of his not having acted as he ought to have done. He added, moreover, that in this same construction there were placed, together with your statue, the corpses of interred persons — those of Dion’s wife and son; and he demanded that I should try th
e matter publicly. Upon my telling him that I would immediately do this, and would adjourn my departure accordingly, he asked me to grant a longer interval for the purpose of getting up the case, and to try it in some other city. I replied that I would hear it at Nicæa. When I had taken my seat there for the purpose of trying it, the same Eumolpus, on the plea of not yet being sufficiently prepared, began by asking for an adjournment: Dion, on the other hand, demanded that it should be heard. A great deal was said on both sides, and on the merits of the case as well. For my part, being of opinion that an adjournment should be granted, and counsel taken of you in a matter likely to form a precedent, I told each side to give in a written statement of their respective demands, for I desired that you should know what was put forward, above all things, in the very words of the parties themselves. Dion said he would give this in, and Eumolpus replied that he would include in a written statement his claims on behalf of the commonwealth; but that as regarded the interred bodies, he was not the accuser, but only the advocate of Flavius Archippus, whose instructions he had obeyed. Archippus, however, who stood by Eumolpus here as at Prusa, said that he would hand in a statement. Such being the case, neither Eumolpus nor Archippus, though waited for for many days, have as yet sent me their statements. Dion has sent his, which I have joined to this letter. I myself went to the spot, and saw that your statue was added to the library. The edifice, however, where the son and wife of Dion are said to be buried is situated in the courtyard, which is enclosed by a colonnade. I pray, sir, that you would deign to direct me, especially in such a kind of investigation as this, as to which, moreover, great interest is felt. Indeed this must be the case in a matter where the charge is at the same time acknowledged and defended by precedents.
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82. TRAIANUS PLINIO
1 Potuisti non haerere, mi Secunde carissime, circa id de quo me consulendum existimasti, cum propositum meum optime nosses, non ex metu nec terrore hominum aut criminibus maiestatis reverentiam nomini meo acquiri. 2 Omissa ergo ea quaestione, quam non admitterem etiam si exemplis adiuvaretur, ratio totius operis effecti sub cura Cocceiani Dionis excutiatur, cum et utilitas civitatis exigat nec aut recuset Dion aut debeat recusare.
82 (86.) — TRAJAN TO PLINY.
You might have been free from doubt, dearest Secundus, as to the matter on which you have thought it right to consult me, since you perfectly well knew my settled purpose not to attract awe to my name through fear or the terrors of men, or charges of treason. Leaving out of the question, then, an inquiry which I should not entertain even if it were supported by precedents, let the entire accounts of the construction carried out under the supervision of Coccianus Dion be investigated, since this is a course demanded by the interests of the city, and which Dion neither can oppose nor is entitled to oppose.
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83. C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
Rogatus, domine, a Nicaeensibus publice per ea, quae mihi et sunt et debent esse sanctissima, id est per aeternitatem tuam salutemque, ut preces suas ad te perferrem, fas non putavi negare acceptumque ab iis libellum huic epistulae iunxi.
83 (87.) — TO TRAJAN.
The Nicæans have publicly entreated me, sir, by what to me both are and ought to be most sacred, that is by your wellbeing and immortal fame, that I would transmit their prayers to you. Not thinking it right to refuse the request, I have appended to this letter a memorial received from them.
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84. TRAIANUS PLINIO
Nicaeensibus, qui intestatorum civium suorum concessam vindicationem bonorum a divo Augusto affirmant, debebis vacare contractis omnibus personis ad idem negotium pertinentibus, adhibitis Virdio Gemellino et Epimacho liberto meo procuratoribus, ut aestimatis etiam iis, quae contra dicuntur, quod optimum credideritis, statuatis.
84 (88.) — TRAJAN TO PLINY.
It will be your duty to entertain the affair of the Nicæans, who affirm that the Emperor Augustus granted their city the right to claim the property of such of its citizens as died intestate. You will have to convoke all persons concerned in this business, summoning to your assistance Virbius Gemellinus and Epimachus, my freedman, the imperial agents, in order that, having likewise duly weighed what is urged on the opposite side, you may together determine as you shall judge best.
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85. C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
Maximum libertum et procuratorem tuum, domine, per omne tempus, quo fuimus una, probum et industrium et diligentem ac sicut rei tuae amantissimum ita disciplinae tenacissimum expertus, libenter apud te testimonio prosequor, ea fide quam tibi debeo.
85 (17.) — TO TRAJAN.
Having found Maximus, your freedman and agent, sir, throughout the whole time that we have been together, to be an upright, active, and diligent man, one who is devoted to your interests, and at the same time most observant of discipline, I gladly give my testimony in his favour with that fidelity which I owe you.
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86 A. C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
Gavium Bassum, domine, praefectum orae Ponticae integrum probum industrium atque inter ista reverentissimum mei expertus, voto pariter et suffragio prosequor, ea fide quam tibi debeo.
86 A (18.) — TO TRAJAN.
Having found Gavius Bassus, sir, the prefect of the Pontic coast, to be a man of integrity, uprightness, and industry, and with all this most respectful towards myself, I tender my wishes and suffrages on his behalf with that fidelity which I owe you.
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86 B. C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
... quam ea quae speret instructum commilitio tuo, cuius disciplinae debet, quod indulgentia tua dignus est. Apud me et milites et pagani, a quibus iustitia eius et humanitas penitus inspecta est, certatim ei qua privatim qua publice testimonium perhibuerunt. Quod in notitiam tuam perfero, ea fide quam tibi debeo.
86 B (18.) — TO TRAJAN.
... Trained by having served under your command, to whose schooling he owes it that he is worthy of your favour. Both soldiers and civilians, who have had thorough experience of his impartiality and affability, have vied with each other in conveying to me their testimony, private as well as public, on his behalf. This I bring to your notice with that fidelity which I owe you.
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87. C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
1 Nymphidium Lupum, domine, primipilarem commilitonem habui, cum ipse tribunus essem ille praefectus: inde familiariter diligere coepi. Crevit postea caritas ipsa mutuae vetustate amicitiae. 2 Itaque et quieti eius inieci manum et exegi, ut me in Bithynia consilio instrueret. Quod ille amicissime et otii et senectutis ratione postposita et iam fecit et facturus est. 3 Quibus ex causis necessitudines eius inter meas numero, filium in primis, Nymphidium Lupum, iuvenem probum industrium et egregio patre dignissimum, suffecturum indulgentiae tuae, sicut primis eius experimentis cognoscere potes, cum praefectus cohortis plenissimum testimonium meruerit Iuli Ferocis et Fusci Salinatoris clarissimorum virorum. Meum gaudium, domine, meamque gratulationem filii honore cumulabis.
87 (19.) — TO TRAJAN.
Nymphidius Lupus, sir, a former Primipilus, was my comrade in arms at the time when I myself was Tribune and he was Præfect. From that time I began to cherish him closely. Subsequently my regard for him grew from the very length of our mutual friendship. On the strength of this, I have laid violent hands on his repose, and have forced him to assist me with his counsel in Bithynia. This he has not only already done, but will continue to do in the most friendly way, and laying aside all considerations of ease and age. For these reasons I reckon his belongings among my own, and particularly his son Nymphidius Lupus, a young man of probity and energy, one in every way worthy of his distinguished father, and who will do credit to your indulgent notice of him. This indeed yo
u may learn from the first proofs he has given as Præfect of a cohort, in which capacity he gained the highest character from those eminent men, Julius Ferox and Fuscus Salinator. My joy and self-congratulation will be satisfied by the advancement of the son.
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88. C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
Opto, domine, et hunc natalem et plurimos alios quam felicissimos agas aeternaque laude florentem virtutis tuae gloriam ... quam incolumis et fortis aliis super alia operibus augebis.
88 (89.) — TO TRAJAN.
I pray, sir, that you may have the happiest of birthdays, and many others like it, and that in strength and security you may ever be adding by fresh achievements to that glory flourishing with immortal renown, which you derive from your virtues.
Delphi Complete Works of Pliny the Younger (Illustrated) (Delphi Ancient Classics) Page 135
