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101. TRAIANUS PLINIO
Solvisse vota dis immortalibus te praeeunte pro mea incolumitate commilitones cum provincialibus laetissimo consensu et in futurum nuncupasse libenter, mi Secunde carissime, cognovi litteris tuis.
101 (102.) — TRAJAN TO PLINY.
I have been pleased to learn from your letter, my dearest Secundus, that troops and provincials have, with most cheerful consent, acquitted themselves of their vows for my safety to the immortal gods, yourself leading the way, and that they have offered fresh vows for the future.
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102. C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
Diem, quo in te tutela generis humani felicissima successione translata est, debita religione celebravimus, commendantes dis imperii tui auctoribus et vota publica et gaudia.
102 (103.) — TO TRAJAN.
We have celebrated, with due rites, the day on which the guardianship of the human race was transferred to you, by a most happy succession; commending to the gods, the ordainers of your rule, our public vows and our joys.
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103. TRAIANUS PLINIO
Diem imperii mei debita laetitia et religione commilitonibus et provincialibus praeeunte te celebratum libenter cognovi litteris tuis.
103 (104.) — TRAJAN TO PLINY.
I have been pleased to learn from your letter that the day of my accession has been celebrated with due joyfulness and religious rites by the troops and provincials, yourself leading the way.
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104. C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
Valerius, domine, Paulinus excepto Paulino ius Latinorum suorum mihi reliquit; ex quibus rogo tribus interim ius Quiritium des. Vereor enim, ne sit immodicum pro omnibus pariter invocare indulgentiam tuam, qua debeo tanto modestius uti, quanto pleniorem experior. Sunt autem pro quibus peto: C. Valerius Astraeus, C. Valerius Dionysius, C. Valerius Aper.
104 (105.) — TO TRAJAN.
Valerius Paulinus, sir, has bequeathed to me the patronage of his freedmen, to the exclusion of Paulinus. Of these, I pray you to grant the Roman citizenship to three for the present; for I fear it would be exceeding the bounds to invoke your favour on behalf of all of them at the same time; a favour which it behoves me to be all the more modest in availing myself of, in proportion to the great fulness in which I experience it. These, however, for whom I am applying are, C. Valerius Astræus, C. Valerius Dionysius, and C. Valerius Axer.
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105. TRAIANUS PLINIO
Cum honestissime iis, qui apud fidem tuam a Valerio Paulino depositi sunt, consultum velis mature per me, iis interim, quibus nunc petisti, dedisse me ius Quiritium referri in commentarios meos iussi idem facturus in ceteris, pro quibus petieris.
105 (106.) — TRAJAN TO PLINY.
It is most generous on your part to seek the speedy advantage, through my agency, of those who have been confided to your honour by Valerius Paulinus; accordingly, I have ordered an entry to be made in my registers to the effect that I have granted the Roman citizenship to those, for the present, for whom you have now asked it; and will do the same for others on behalf of whom you shall hereafter ask it.
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106. C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
Rogatus, domine, a P. Accio Aquila, centurione cohortis sextae equestris, ut mitterem tibi libellum per quem indulgentiam pro statu filiae suae implorat, durum putavi negare, cum scirem quantam soleres militum precibus patientiam humanitatemque praestare.
106 (107.) — TO TRAJAN.
Having been requested, sir, by P. Accius Aquila, a centurion of the Sixth Cavalry Cohort, to forward you a memorial, in which he implores your favourable consideration of his daughter’s status, I thought it hard to refuse him, knowing as I do the great patience and kindliness which you exhibit towards the prayers of soldiers.
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107. TRAIANUS PLINIO
Libellum P. Accii Aquilae, centurionis sextae equestris, quem mihi misisti, legi; cuius precibus motus dedi filiae eius civitatem Romanam. Libellum rescriptum, quem illi redderes, misi tibi.
104 (108.) — TRAJAN TO PLINY.
I have read the memorial of P. Accius Aquila, a centurion in the Sixth Cavalry Cohort, which you forwarded to me, and, moved by his prayers, I have granted the Roman citizenship to his daughter. I have forwarded to you a certificate of the rescript, for you to hand to him.
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108. C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
1 Quid habere iuris velis et Bithynas et Ponticas civitates in exigendis pecuniis, quae illis vel ex locationibus vel ex venditionibus aliisve causis debeantur, rogo, domine, rescribas. Ego inveni a plerisque proconsulibus concessam iis protopraxian eamque pro lege valuisse. 2 Existimo tamen tua providentia constituendum aliquid et sanciendum per quod utilitatibus eorum in perpetuum consulatur. Nam quae sunt ab illis instituta, sint licet sapienter indulta, brevia tamen et infirma sunt, nisi illis tua contingit auctoritas.
105 (109.) — TO TRAJAN.
I should be obliged, sir, by your writing me word as to the rights you would wish the cities of Bithynia and Pontus to enjoy, in respect to calling in moneys owing to them either in the shape of rent, or for sales of property, or for any other reason. For my part, I have found that a preference over other creditors has been accorded them by most of the proconsuls, and has obtained the force of law. I am of opinion, however, that some rule should be established, and ratified by your wisdom, of a kind to conduce to their permanent interests. For as for what has been instituted by others, wise as such grants may have been, yet they are but temporary, and wanting in stability, unless they should enjoy the advantage of your authorisation.
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109. TRAIANUS PLINIO
Quo iure uti debeant Bithynae vel Ponticae civitates in iis pecuniis, quae ex quaque causa rei publicae debebuntur, ex lege cuiusque animadvertendum est. Nam, sive habent privilegium, quo ceteris creditoribus anteponantur, custodiendum est, sive non habent, in iniuriam privatorum id dari a me non oportebit.
109 (110.) — TRAJAN TO PLINY.
As to the rights which the cities of Bithynia and Pontus should enjoy in the matter of moneys which shall he owing, on any account, to the commonwealth, this must be looked to, according to the laws of each city. For in case it possesses a privilege in virtue of which it is preferred to the remaining creditors, then that privilege must be observed; in case it does not possess it, it will not be proper that it should be granted by me, to the detriment of private individuals.
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110. C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
1 Ecdicus, domine, Amisenorum civitatis petebat apud me a Iulio Pisone denariorum circiter quadraginta milia donata ei publice ante viginti annos bule et ecclesia consentiente, utebaturque mandatis tuis, quibus eius modi donationes vetantur. 2 Piso contra plurima se in rem publicam contulisse ac prope totas facultates erogasse dicebat. Addebat etiam temporis spatium postulabatque, ne id, quod pro multis et olim accepisset, cum eversione reliquae dignitatis reddere cogeretur. Quibus ex causis integram cognitionem differendam existimavi, ut te, domine, consulerem, quid sequendum putares.
110 (111.) — TO TRAJAN.
The Syndic of the city of Amisus, sir, has sued Julius Piso before me for a sum of about forty thousand denarii, a public grant made to him twenty years ago, with the consent of the Senate and assembled Commons: citing your ordinances by which donations of this kind are forbidden. Piso, in reply, said that he had contributed large sums, and, indeed, spent nearly the whole of his means, on behalf of the commonwealth. He pleaded further the lapse of time, and begged that he might not be forced to give back, to the ruin of his remaining fortunes,
that which he had received in return for many services, and a long while ago. Upon this I have thought it right to adjourn the whole case, in order to consult you, sir, as to the course you would have pursued.
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111. TRAIANUS PLINIO
Sicut largitiones ex publico fieri mandata prohibent, ita, ne multorum securitas subruatur, factas ante aliquantum temporis retractari atque in irritum vindicari non oportet. Quidquid ergo ex hac causa actum ante viginti annos erit, omittamus. Non minus enim hominibus cuiusque loci quam pecuniae publicae consultum volo.
111 (112.) — TRAJAN TO PLINY.
Although my ordinances forbid the making of largesses on public account, yet, to prevent the security of many persons from being undermined, when these have been made some time ago, it is not expedient that they should be reconsidered and their invalidity established. Whatever, then, shall have been done not less than twenty years before, in this case, must be passed over. For I desire to have regard for the individuals of each place, no less than the public moneys.
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112. C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
1 Lex Pompeia, domine, qua Bithyni et Pontici utuntur, eos, qui in bulen a censoribus leguntur, dare pecuniam non iubet; sed ii, quos indulgentia tua quibusdam civitatibus super legitimum numerum adicere permisit, et singula milia denariorum et bina intulerunt. 2 Anicius deinde Maximus proconsul eos etiam, qui a censoribus legerentur, dumtaxat in paucissimis civitatibus aliud aliis iussit inferre. 3 Superest ergo, ut ipse dispicias, an in omnibus civitatibus certum aliquid omnes, qui deinde buleutae legentur, debeant pro introitu dare. Nam, quod in perpetuum mansurum est, a te constitui decet, cuius factis dictisque debetur aeternitas.
112 (113.) — TO TRAJAN.
By the law of Pompey, sir, by which the inhabitants of Bithynia and Pontus are governed, such persons as are chosen into the council by the censors are not ordered to pay any fee. Those, however, whom your favour has permitted certain of the cities to add over and above the lawful number, have contributed sometimes a thousand, sometimes two thousand, denarii apiece. Upon this, the proconsul, Anicius Maximus, ordered such likewise as were chosen by the censors (that is to say, in a small number of cities) to pay fees of various amounts. It remains for you yourself to consider whether in all the cities all persons who shall hereafter be chosen councillors ought not to pay some fixed sum as an entrance fee; for it becomes you to make a permanent settlement, whose words and deeds immortality awaits.
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113. TRAIANUS PLINIO
Honorarium decurionatus omnes, qui in quaque civitate Bithyniae decuriones fiunt, inferre debeant necne, in universum a me non potest statui. Id ergo, quod semper tutissimum est, sequendam cuiusque civitatis legem puto, sed verius eos, qui invitati fiunt decuriones, id existimo acturos, ut praestatione ceteris praeferantur.
113 (114.) — TRAJAN TO PLINY.
It is impossible for me to lay down a general rule as to whether all persons who in every city of Bithynia are created councillors should, or should not, furnish an honorarium on their admission to the councilship. think, then — and this is always the safest course — that the law of each city should he followed....
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114. C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
1 Lege, domine, Pompeia permissum Bithynicis civitatibus ascribere sibi quos vellent cives, dum ne quem earum civitatium, quae sunt in Bithynia. Eadem lege sancitur, quibus de causis e senatu a censoribus eiciantur. 2 Inde me quidam ex censoribus consulendum putaverunt, an eicere deberent eum qui esset alterius civitatis. 3 Ego quia lex sicut ascribi civem alienum vetabat, ita eici e senatu ob hanc causam non iubebat, praeterea, quod affirmabatur mihi in omni civitate plurimos esse buleutas ex aliis civitatibus, futurumque ut multi homines multaeque civitates concuterentur ea parte legis, quae iam pridem consensu quodam exolevisset, necessarium existimavi consulere te, quid servandum putares. Capita legis his litteris subieci.
114 (115.) — TO TRAJAN.
By the law of Pompey, sir, it is permitted to the cities of Bithynia to enroll among their citizens any persons they please, provided they are not of any of the other cities in Bithynia. In the same law are enacted the grounds on which persons may be ejected from the Senate by the censors. Upon this, certain of the censors thought it right to consult me as to whether they ought to eject one who was from another city. Inasmuch as the law, though forbidding the enrolment of one from another city, yet did not order that this should be a ground of ejection from the Senate; moreover, since I was assured that in every city there were a number of councillors from other cities, and that much disturbance would be caused to many individuals and to many cities,... that part of the law which had long since become obsolete through a kind of general consent,... I have thought it necessary to consult you as to what you would have observed. I have appended to this letter the principal clauses of the law.
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115. TRAIANUS PLINIO
Merito haesisti, Secunde carissime, quid a te rescribi oporteret censoribus consulentibus, an
115 (116.) — TRAJAN TO PLINY.
No wonder you were in doubt, dearest Secundus, as to the proper reply for you to make to the censors who consulted you.... For the authority of the law on the one hand, and, on the other, the long usage which has obtained in opposition to the law, might well move you in opposite directions. I have decided upon thus compromising the matter: that we make no change in what is past, but that the citizens who have been naturalised, though illegally, of whatever city they be, shall remain where they arc; for the future, however, that Pompey’s law be observed. If we were for maintaining its provisions retrospectively as well, much disturbance would necessarily follow.
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116. C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
1 Qui virilem togam sumunt vel nuptias faciunt vel ineunt magistratum vel opus publicum dedicant, solent totam bulen atque etiam e plebe non exiguum numerum vocare binosque denarios vel singulos dare. Quod an celebrandum et quatenus putes, rogo scribas. 2 Ipse enim, sicut arbitror, praesertim ex sollemnibus causis, concedendum ius istud invitationis, ita vereor ne ii qui mille homines, interdum etiam plures vocant, modum excedere et in speciem ‘dianomês’ incidere videantur.
116 (117.) — TO TRAJAN.
Persons who attain their majority, or contract a marriage, or enter on a public office, or inaugurate a public work, are in the habit of inviting the whole of the council, and even a considerable number of the population, and presenting them with a couple of denarii, and sometimes one, per man. I should be obliged by your writing me word whether you think these celebrations should be permitted, and if so, how far. For my part, although I am of opinion that the right to issue invitations should be conceded, especially on solemn occasions, yet at the same time I fear that those who invite a thousand individuals, and sometimes even more, may seem to exceed the bounds, and to fall into an appearance of distributing largesses.
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117. TRAIANUS PLINIO
Merito vereris, ne in speciem ‘dianomês’ incidat invitatio, quae et in numero modum excedit et quasi per corpora, non viritim singulos ex notitia ad sollemnes sportulas contrahit. Sed ego ideo prudentiam tuam elegi, ut formandis istius provinciae moribus ipse moderareris et ea constitueres, quae ad perpetuam eius provinciae quietem essent profutura.
117 (118.) — TRAJAN TO PLINY.
No wonder you are afraid that an invitation “should fall into an appearance of distributing largesses,” which not only exceeds the bounds in point of numbers, but also collects together to a ceremonious dole people in bands, so to speak, not man by man, each one on grounds of personal acquaintance. But I have made choice of your intelligence on this very account, that in forming the manners of that province of yours you should yourself ordain and establish what may be of advantage to the permanent quiet of the province.
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Delphi Complete Works of Pliny the Younger (Illustrated) (Delphi Ancient Classics) Page 137
