3.8 PLINY'S LETTERS Flashcards

1
Q

Who does Pliny write 1.9 to

A

His friend - Minicius Fundanus

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2
Q

What is the main message in 1.9

A

Contrast between life in Rome, and life in country estate at Laurentum

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3
Q

What and does Pliny emphasise being wrong with Rome in 1.9

A
  • Always busy with tasks that seem important at the time but are insignificant
  • Uses tricolons of negative factors
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4
Q

Benefits of being in his Laurentum country estate

A
  • More even-tempered
  • Time to relax
  • Focus on writing and drawing
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5
Q

What does he encourage Fundanus to do

A

Leave Rome

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6
Q

How does Pliny end 1.9

A
  • Pithy aphorism
  • ‘it’s better to relax than to be busy doing nothing’
  • From Attilius
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7
Q

What technique does Pliny use in the middle of 1.9

A

Exclaimation - draws greater attention to the point

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8
Q

Who does Pliny write 2.6 to

A

Younger friend, Avitius

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9
Q

What are the 3 catgories of people at the dinner party in 2.6

A
  • Privileged few
  • Clients of host
  • Freedmen
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10
Q

What discrimination is there at the dinner party in 2.6

A

First group served excellednt food and the rest fare in small portions. The wine was also arranged and served in 3 catagories of quality

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11
Q

What moral stance in Pliny encouraging Avitius to follow

A

Treat everyone the same

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12
Q

What literary technique does Pliny use halfway through 2.6

A

Introducing a reported conversation with another guest - sense the reader is invited to listen to a confidential chat

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13
Q

Who is 3.14 adressed to

A

Acilius

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14
Q

Who is 3.14 adressed to

A

Acilius

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15
Q

What is Pliny writing about in 3.14

A

Recalling the murder of Larcius Macedo, the son of a freedman by a slave

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16
Q

What is Pliny’s contrasting opinion in 3.14

A

He admits Macedo was a cruel master, but is horrified by the killing and approves of the slaves punsihments (put to death as custom)

17
Q

What does Pliny suggest in 3.14 about slaves

A

They can never be trusted

18
Q

What literaty device does Pliny use in 3.14

A

Detailed description of the violence of the murder - ‘seized him by the throat’

19
Q

Who is the 4.19 adressed to

A

Hispulla - the aunt of Pliny’s new wife

20
Q

Nature of the relationship between Pliny and Calpurnia

A

It is his 3rd marriage and there is a huge age gap between them

21
Q

Why is Pliny pleased with Calpurnia

A
  • Efficient at running the household
  • Musical
  • Literate
22
Q

How does Pliny come across in 4.19

A

Vain and self-important

23
Q

What does Pliny thank Hispulla for

A
  • The role she played in Calpurnia’s upbringing
  • For bringing them together
24
Q

Who is pliny writing to in 5.19

A

His friend Paulinus

25
Q

What is Pliny’s freedman called

A

Zosimus

26
Q

Pliny thinks that Zosimus should be treated very well like a member of the household - what does this contrast to

A

His approval of the murder of slaves in 3.14

27
Q

Where did Pliny send Zosimus before he asks Paulinus to host him in France

A

Egypt - he paid

28
Q

Where in France does pliny want to send Zosimus

A

Paulinus’ estate in Forum Iulii

29
Q

Pliny quotes Homer in 5.19 ‘he was gentle as a father’. What is being displayed

A
  • Pliny is seeking to present himself as a cultured man
  • He is comparing himslef to a king who treats his nobels well
30
Q

What are Zosimus’ desireable qualaties

A
  • He is a good reciter of comedies
  • He is a gifted musician
31
Q

Who is 9.6 written to

A

Rufus, an equestrian friend from his home town of Comum

32
Q

How does Pliny come across in 9.6

A

d

33
Q

Why is Pliny disapproving of the chariot racing

A
  • Supporter support the team race or the spectacle of the racers
  • Time better spent in books
34
Q

How does Pliny come across in 9.6, and how is this shown

A
  • Snobbish
  • ‘pointless’, ‘tedious’, ‘wasting’
  • Compared to literature
  • ‘utmost delight’
  • Places himself above the crowds