Pliny, Letters 10.96

Ep. 10.96.1Sollemne est mihi, domine, omnia dē quibus dubitō ad tē referre.

It is my custom, my lord, to refer to you everything I am unsure about.

Note. Pliny, governor of Bithynia-Pontus (in modern Turkey) about AD 110–112, writes to the emperor Trajan. This is the earliest pagan account of Christian worship. Sollemne est mihi: 'it is my custom'. domine: vocative, 'my lord', Pliny's usual address to Trajan. omnia dē quibus dubitō: 'everything I am in doubt about'.

Ep. 10.96.1Quis enim potest melius vel cūnctātiōnem meam regere vel ignōrantiam īnstruere?

For who is better able to guide my hesitation or inform my ignorance?

Note. Quis … potest melius …?: a rhetorical question expecting 'no one'. cūnctātiōnem … ignōrantiam: 'my hesitation … my ignorance'.

Ep. 10.96.1Cognitiōnibus dē Chrīstiānīs interfuī numquam: ideō nesciō quid et quātenus aut pūnīrī soleat aut quaerī.

I have never been present at trials of Christians: so I do not know what is usually punished, or to what extent, or how far it is investigated.

Note. Cognitiōnibus … interfuī numquam: 'I have never been present at trials' (intersum + dative). nesciō quid et quātenus … soleat: 'I do not know what, and to what extent, it is usual …'; pūnīrī and quaerī: 'to be punished … to be investigated'.

Ep. 10.96.2Nec mediocriter haesitāvī, sitne aliquod discrīmen aetātum, an quamlibet tenerī nihil ā rōbustiōribus differant;

And I have been quite unsure whether any distinction should be made for age, or whether those who are however young should be treated no differently from the stronger;

Note. Nec mediocriter haesitāvī: 'and I have been in no small doubt' (litotes). sitne … an …: 'whether … or …', indirect questions with the subjunctive. quamlibet tenerī: 'those however young'. nihil … differant: 'are to be treated no differently' (nihil: 'in no respect'). ā rōbustiōribus: 'from the stronger', i.e. adults.

Ep. 10.96.2dētur paenitentiae venia, an eī, quī omnīnō Chrīstiānus fuit, dēsīsse nōn prōsit;

whether pardon is granted for repentance, or whether it is of no help to someone who has been a Christian at all to have stopped;

Note. dētur paenitentiae venia: 'whether pardon is given for repentance'. an eī … dēsīsse nōn prōsit: 'or whether it is no help to one who … to have stopped' (dēsīsse = dēsiisse).

Ep. 10.96.2nōmen ipsum, sī flāgitiīs careat, an flāgitia cohaerentia nōminī pūniantur.

whether the name itself is punished, even if it is free of crimes, or the crimes that go with the name.

Note. nōmen ipsum … an flāgitia …: 'whether the name itself (is punished) … or the crimes …'. sī flāgitiīs careat: 'even if it is free of crimes'. cohaerentia nōminī: 'attached to the name' — rumours of secret crimes were attached to Christians.

Ep. 10.96.2Interim, in iīs quī ad mē tamquam Chrīstiānī dēferēbantur, hunc sum secūtus modum.

Meanwhile, with those who were brought before me as Christians, I have followed this procedure.

Note. in iīs quī … dēferēbantur: 'in the case of those who were reported'. tamquam Chrīstiānī: 'as Christians'. hunc sum secūtus modum: 'I have followed this procedure'.

Ep. 10.96.3Interrogāvī ipsōs an essent Chrīstiānī.

I asked them whether they were Christians.

Note. Interrogāvī ipsōs: 'I asked them in person'. an essent: indirect question, 'whether they were'.

Ep. 10.96.3Cōnfitentēs iterum ac tertiō interrogāvī supplicium minātus;

Those who confessed I asked a second and a third time, threatening them with punishment;

Note. Cōnfitentēs: 'those who confessed', object of interrogāvī. iterum ac tertiō: 'a second and a third time'. supplicium minātus: 'threatening (them with) execution' — minor is deponent.

Ep. 10.96.3persevērantēs dūcī iussī.

those who persisted I ordered to be led away.

Note. persevērantēs dūcī iussī: 'those who persisted I ordered to be led away', i.e. to execution.

Ep. 10.96.3Neque enim dubitābam, quālecumque esset quod fatērentur, pertināciam certē et īnflexibilem obstinātiōnem dēbēre pūnīrī.

For I had no doubt that, whatever it was that they were admitting, their stubbornness and unbending obstinacy certainly ought to be punished.

Note. Neque enim dubitābam: 'for I had no doubt'. quālecumque esset quod fatērentur: 'whatever it was that they were confessing'. pertināciam … et īnflexibilem obstinātiōnem: the objects Pliny really punishes — defiance of a Roman magistrate.

Ep. 10.96.4Fuērunt aliī similis āmentiae, quōs, quia cīvēs Rōmānī erant, adnotāvī in urbem remittendōs.

There were others of a similar madness whom, because they were Roman citizens, I noted down to be sent to the City.

Note. similis āmentiae: genitive of description, 'of similar madness'. quia cīvēs Rōmānī erant: Roman citizens could appeal to the emperor, so they were sent to Rome. adnotāvī … remittendōs: 'I noted down (as) to be sent'.

Ep. 10.96.4Mox ipsō tractātū, ut fierī solet, diffundente sē crīmine plūrēs speciēs incidērunt.

Soon, as usually happens, the charge spread just because it was being dealt with, and more cases arose.

Note. ipsō tractātū: 'by the very handling (of the matter)'. ut fierī solet: 'as usually happens'. diffundente sē crīmine: ablative absolute, 'as the charge spread itself'. plūrēs speciēs: 'more kinds (of case)'. incidērunt: 'arose'.

Ep. 10.96.5Prōpositus est libellus sine auctōre multōrum nōmina continēns.

An anonymous pamphlet was posted containing the names of many people.

Note. Prōpositus est: 'was posted'. sine auctōre: 'without an author', anonymous. multōrum nōmina continēns: 'containing many people's names'.

Ep. 10.96.5Quī negābant esse sē Chrīstiānōs aut fuisse, cum praeeunte mē deōs appellārent et imāginī tuae, quam propter hoc iusseram cum simulācrīs nūminum afferrī, tūre ac vīnō supplicārent, praetereā male dīcerent Chrīstō, quōrum nihil cōgī posse dīcuntur quī sunt rē vērā Chrīstiānī, dīmittendōs putāvī.

Those who denied that they were or had been Christians, when, following my lead, they called upon the gods and made offerings of incense and wine to your statue, which I had ordered to be brought in for this purpose together with the images of the gods, and moreover cursed Christ, none of which those who are really Christians are said to be capable of being forced to do, these I thought should be released.

Note. A long sentence: the main clause comes at the end, (eōs) dīmittendōs putāvī, 'I thought (those) should be released'. cum praeeunte mē: 'when, with me leading (them)', i.e. repeating a formula after Pliny. imāginī tuae … tūre ac vīnō supplicārent: 'made offerings of incense and wine to your statue'. male dīcerent Chrīstō: 'cursed Christ'. quōrum nihil cōgī posse dīcuntur: 'none of which (things) … can be forced (to do), it is said'.

Ep. 10.96.6Aliī ab indice nōminātī esse sē Chrīstiānōs dīxērunt et mox negāvērunt;

Others, named by an informer, said that they were Christians and then denied it;

Note. ab indice nōminātī: 'named by an informer'. dīxērunt … et mox negāvērunt: 'said … and soon denied it'.

Ep. 10.96.6fuisse quidem sed dēsīsse, quīdam ante triennium, quīdam ante plūrēs annōs, nōn nēmō etiam ante vīgintī.

they said that they had been, but had stopped, some three years before, some many years before, a few even twenty years ago.

Note. fuisse quidem sed dēsīsse: supply dīxērunt sē, 'they said they had been, but had stopped'. quīdam … quīdam …: 'some … some'. ante triennium: 'three years before'. nōn nēmō: 'not nobody', i.e. 'one or two'.

Ep. 10.96.6Hī quoque omnēs et imāginem tuam deōrumque simulācra venerātī sunt et Chrīstō male dīxērunt.

All of these too both worshipped your statue and the images of the gods and cursed Christ.

Note. Hī quoque omnēs: 'all these too'. venerātī sunt: deponent, 'they worshipped'.

Ep. 10.96.7Affirmābant autem hanc fuisse summam vel culpae suae vel errōris, quod essent solitī statō diē ante lūcem convenīre, carmenque Chrīstō quasi deō dīcere sēcum invicem sēque sacrāmentō nōn in scelus aliquod obstringere, sed nē fūrta nē latrōcinia nē adulteria committerent, nē fidem fallerent, nē dēpositum appellātī abnegārent.

But they declared that the sum of their guilt or error had been this: that they were accustomed to meet on a fixed day before dawn and sing a hymn among themselves to Christ as to a god, and to bind themselves by an oath, not to some crime, but not to commit theft, robbery or adultery, not to break their word, and not to refuse to return money placed in their keeping when asked for it.

Note. Affirmābant … hanc fuisse summam: 'they declared that this had been the whole (of their guilt)'. quod essent solitī: subjunctive because it reports their words. statō diē: 'on a fixed day' (Sunday). carmen … dīcere sēcum invicem: 'to sing a hymn among themselves in turn'. sacrāmentō: 'by an oath' — Pliny uses the word for a soldier's oath. nē … nē … nē …: a series of negative clauses: 'not to commit theft …'. dēpositum appellātī abnegārent: 'refuse (to return) a deposit when called upon (for it)'.

Ep. 10.96.7Quibus perāctīs mōrem sibi discēdendī fuisse rūrsusque coeundī ad capiendum cibum, prōmiscuum tamen et innoxium;

When this was done, it had been their custom to separate and then come together again to take food, but food of an ordinary and harmless kind;

Note. Quibus perāctīs: 'when this was done'. mōrem sibi … fuisse: 'that it had been their custom'. ad capiendum cibum: 'to take food' — the shared meal. prōmiscuum tamen et innoxium: 'but ordinary and harmless' — rumours accused Christians of cannibalism.

Ep. 10.96.7quod ipsum facere dēsīsse post ēdictum meum, quō secundum mandāta tua hetaeriās esse vetueram.

and they had stopped doing even this after my edict, by which, following your instructions, I had forbidden associations.

Note. quod ipsum: 'this very thing'. secundum mandāta tua: 'in accordance with your instructions'. hetaeriās: 'clubs, associations', Greek; Trajan distrusted private societies as possible centres of unrest.

Ep. 10.96.8Quō magis necessārium crēdidī ex duābus ancillīs, quae ministrae dīcēbantur, quid esset vērī, et per tormenta quaerere.

So I thought it all the more necessary to find out what was true from two slave women, who were called deaconesses, even under torture.

Note. Quō magis: 'all the more'. ex duābus ancillīs: 'from two slave women'. quae ministrae dīcēbantur: 'who were called ministrae', perhaps deaconesses. quid esset vērī: 'what of the truth there was'. per tormenta: slaves' evidence was regularly taken under torture.

Ep. 10.96.8Nihil aliud invēnī quam superstitiōnem prāvam et immodicam.

I found nothing but a perverse and excessive superstition.

Note. Nihil aliud … quam: 'nothing other than'. superstitiōnem prāvam et immodicam: 'a perverse and excessive superstition', a Roman's view of a religion outside the state cults.

Ep. 10.96.9Ideō dīlātā cognitiōne ad cōnsulendum tē dēcucurrī.

So I postponed the investigation and have hurried to consult you.

Note. dīlātā cognitiōne: ablative absolute, 'having adjourned the hearing'. ad cōnsulendum tē: gerund with an object, 'to consult you'. dēcucurrī: 'I have hurried'.

Ep. 10.96.9Vīsa est enim mihi rēs digna cōnsultātiōne, maximē propter perīclitantium numerum.

For the matter seemed to me worth consulting about, above all because of the number of those at risk.

Note. Vīsa est … rēs digna cōnsultātiōne: 'the matter seemed worth consulting (you) about' (dignus + ablative). perīclitantium: 'of those at risk'.

Ep. 10.96.9Multī enim omnis aetātis, omnis ōrdinis, utrīusque sexūs etiam vocantur in perīculum et vocābuntur.

For many people of every age, of every rank, and of both sexes are being brought into danger, and will be.

Note. omnis aetātis, omnis ōrdinis, utrīusque sexūs: genitives of description, 'of every age, every rank, both sexes'. vocantur in perīculum: 'are being brought into danger'.

Ep. 10.96.9Neque cīvitātēs tantum, sed vīcōs etiam atque agrōs superstitiōnis istīus contāgiō pervagāta est;

Nor has the contagion of this superstition spread only through the cities, but through the villages and the countryside too;

Note. Neque … tantum, sed … etiam: 'not only … but also'. cīvitātēs … vīcōs … agrōs: objects of pervagāta est, 'has spread through'. contāgiō: 'the infection'.

Ep. 10.96.9quae vidētur sistī et corrigī posse.

but it seems that it can be stopped and set right.

Note. quae vidētur sistī et corrigī posse: 'but it seems it can be checked and put right'.

Ep. 10.96.10Certē satis cōnstat prope iam dēsōlāta templa coepisse celebrārī, et sacra sollemnia diū intermissa repetī passimque vēnīre carnem victimārum, cuius adhūc rārissimus ēmptor inveniēbātur.

It is certainly quite clear that the temples, which had been almost deserted, have begun to be thronged, and the customary rites, long neglected, are being performed again, and the meat of sacrificial animals is on sale everywhere, for which until lately a buyer could very rarely be found.

Note. satis cōnstat: 'it is quite clear'. prope iam dēsōlāta templa: 'the temples, which had almost been deserted'. sacra sollemnia: 'the regular rites'. vēnīre: 'to be sold' (from vēneō). carnem victimārum: 'the meat of sacrificial animals', sold after sacrifices. cuius … rārissimus emptor: 'for which a buyer was very rarely found'.

Ep. 10.96.10Ex quō facile est opīnārī, quae turba hominum ēmendārī possit, sī sit paenitentiae locus.

From this it is easy to imagine how great a number of people could be reformed if there were room for repentance.

Note. Ex quō: 'from which'. quae turba hominum: 'what a crowd of people', exclamatory. sī sit paenitentiae locus: 'if there is room for repentance' — Pliny's recommendation.