Pliny's LettersJ.B. Lippincott, 1875 - 170 pages |
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accused actually affection appears asked beautiful brought called cause CHAPTER character Christians cities close command considerable continued court danger death describes Domitian doubt Emperor Epist express father fear feel gave give given Greek hand hear heard History honourable important interest Italy kind leave less letter literary lived look matter means mentions mind natural never occasion once opinion passed perhaps person philosopher pleasure Pliny Pliny's possibly practice praise present Priscus profession province reader reason Regulus reign replied returned Roman Rome says seems seen senate short side sometimes soon speak speech sure Tacitus tells thing thought tion town turn villa wealth whole wife wish witness write written
Popular passages
Page 154 - For it appears to be a matter highly deserving your consideration, more especially as great numbers must be involved in the danger of these prosecutions...
Page 153 - ... purpose I had ordered to be brought, together with those of the gods), and even reviled the name of Christ: whereas there is no forcing, it is said, those who are really Christians into any of these compliances: I thought it proper, therefore, to discharge them.
Page 153 - Christ, as to some god, binding themselves by a solemn oath, not for the purposes of any wicked design, but never to commit any fraud, theft, or adultery ; never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up ; after which it was their custom to separate, and then re-assemble, to eat in common a harmless meal.
Page 152 - I have never been present at any trials of Christians; so that I know not well what is the subject matter of punishment, or of inquiry, or what strictness ought to be used in either. Nor have I been a little perplexed to determine whether any difference ought to be made...
Page 154 - ... where the party denies he is a Christian, and shall make it evident that he is not by invoking our Gods; let him (notwithstanding any former suspicion) be pardoned upon his repentance.
Page 18 - I bent myself as industriously as" ever over my book. " It was now seven o'clock in the morning, but the daylight was still faint and doubtful. The surrounding buildings were now so shattered that in the place where we were, which, though open, was small, the danger that they might fall on us was imminent and unmistakable. " So we at last determined to quit the town. A panic-stricken crowd followed us. They preferred the ideas of others to their own, — in a moment of terror this has a certain look...
Page 4 - I am entering on the history of a period rich in disasters, frightful in its wars, torn by civil strife, and even in peace full of horrors. Four emperors perished by the sword. There were three civil wars; there were more with foreign enemies; there were often wars that had both characters at once. There was success in the East, and disaster in the West.
Page 154 - You have adopted the right course, my dearest Secundus, in investigating the charges against the Christians who were brought before you. It is not possible to lay down any general rule for all such cases. Do not go out of your way to look for them. If indeed they should be brought before you, and the crime is proved, they must be punished...
Page 136 - ... but some imaginary landscape, painted by the most exquisite pencil, lay before you, such an harmonious variety of beautiful objects meets the eye, whichever way it turns. My house, although at the foot of a hill, commands as good a view as if it stood on its brow, yet you approach by so gentle and gradual a rise that you find yourself on high ground without perceiving you have been making an ascent.
Page 17 - There had been noticed for many days before a trembling of the earth, which had caused, however, but little fear, because it is not unusual in Campania. But that night it was so violent, that one thought that everything was being not merely moved but absolutely overturned. My mother rushed into my chamber ; I was in the act of rising, with the same intention of awaking her should she have been asleep. We sat down in the open court of the house, which occupied a small space between the buildings and...