3.8 PLINY'S LETTERS Flashcards
Who does Pliny write 1.9 to
His friend - Minicius Fundanus
What is the main message in 1.9
Contrast between life in Rome, and life in country estate at Laurentum
What and does Pliny emphasise being wrong with Rome in 1.9
- Always busy with tasks that seem important at the time but are insignificant
- Uses tricolons of negative factors
Benefits of being in his Laurentum country estate
- More even-tempered
- Time to relax
- Focus on writing and drawing
What does he encourage Fundanus to do
Leave Rome
How does Pliny end 1.9
- Pithy aphorism
- ‘it’s better to relax than to be busy doing nothing’
- From Attilius
What technique does Pliny use in the middle of 1.9
Exclaimation - draws greater attention to the point
Who does Pliny write 2.6 to
Younger friend, Avitius
What are the 3 catgories of people at the dinner party in 2.6
- Privileged few
- Clients of host
- Freedmen
What discrimination is there at the dinner party in 2.6
First group served excellednt food and the rest fare in small portions. The wine was also arranged and served in 3 catagories of quality
What moral stance in Pliny encouraging Avitius to follow
Treat everyone the same
What literary technique does Pliny use halfway through 2.6
Introducing a reported conversation with another guest - sense the reader is invited to listen to a confidential chat
Who is 3.14 adressed to
Acilius
Who is 3.14 adressed to
Acilius
What is Pliny writing about in 3.14
Recalling the murder of Larcius Macedo, the son of a freedman by a slave
What is Pliny’s contrasting opinion in 3.14
He admits Macedo was a cruel master, but is horrified by the killing and approves of the slaves punsihments (put to death as custom)
What does Pliny suggest in 3.14 about slaves
They can never be trusted
What literaty device does Pliny use in 3.14
Detailed description of the violence of the murder - ‘seized him by the throat’
Who is the 4.19 adressed to
Hispulla - the aunt of Pliny’s new wife
Nature of the relationship between Pliny and Calpurnia
It is his 3rd marriage and there is a huge age gap between them
Why is Pliny pleased with Calpurnia
- Efficient at running the household
- Musical
- Literate
How does Pliny come across in 4.19
Vain and self-important
What does Pliny thank Hispulla for
- The role she played in Calpurnia’s upbringing
- For bringing them together
Who is pliny writing to in 5.19
His friend Paulinus
What is Pliny’s freedman called
Zosimus
Pliny thinks that Zosimus should be treated very well like a member of the household - what does this contrast to
His approval of the murder of slaves in 3.14
Where did Pliny send Zosimus before he asks Paulinus to host him in France
Egypt - he paid
Where in France does pliny want to send Zosimus
Paulinus’ estate in Forum Iulii
Pliny quotes Homer in 5.19 ‘he was gentle as a father’. What is being displayed
- Pliny is seeking to present himself as a cultured man
- He is comparing himslef to a king who treats his nobels well
What are Zosimus’ desireable qualaties
- He is a good reciter of comedies
- He is a gifted musician
Who is 9.6 written to
Rufus, an equestrian friend from his home town of Comum
How does Pliny come across in 9.6
d
Why is Pliny disapproving of the chariot racing
- Supporter support the team race or the spectacle of the racers
- Time better spent in books
How does Pliny come across in 9.6, and how is this shown
- Snobbish
- ‘pointless’, ‘tedious’, ‘wasting’
- Compared to literature
- ‘utmost delight’
- Places himself above the crowds
