Pliny, Letters 6.16

Ep. 6.16.1Petis ut tibi avunculī meī exitum scrībam, quō vērius trādere posterīs possīs.

You ask me to write you an account of my uncle's death, so that you can hand it down to posterity more accurately.

Note. The letter is addressed to the historian Tacitus (its heading reads 'C. Plīnius Tacitō suō s.', 'Gaius Plinius to his friend Tacitus, greetings'), who was collecting material for his Histories. Pliny the Younger was 17 in AD 79; his uncle, the Elder Pliny, was the author of the encyclopedic Natural History. ut … scrībam: indirect command after petis. quō vērius: quō introduces a purpose clause containing a comparative, 'so that the more accurately'. posterīs: 'to posterity', dative.

Ep. 6.16.1Grātiās agō;

I thank you;

Note. Grātiās agō: 'I give thanks', the regular phrase for thanking someone.

Ep. 6.16.1nam videō mortī eius sī celebrētur ā tē immortālem glōriam esse prōpositam.

for I see that his death, if it is celebrated by you, is assured of undying glory.

Note. videō … glōriam esse prōpositam: indirect statement, 'I see that glory is set before (assured to) his death'. sī celebrētur ā tē: present subjunctive in a future-less-vivid condition, 'if it should be celebrated by you'.

Ep. 6.16.2Quamvīs enim pulcherrimārum clāde terrārum, ut populī ut urbēs memorābilī cāsū, quasi semper vīctūrus occīderit, quamvīs ipse plūrima opera et mānsūra condiderit, multum tamen perpetuitātī eius scrīptōrum tuōrum aeternitās addet.

For although he perished in the destruction of the loveliest of lands, as whole peoples and cities did, in a memorable disaster, as if to live for ever; although he himself wrote a great many works that will last, still the immortality of your writings will add much to his lasting fame.

Note. A long periodic sentence: two concessive clauses with quamvīs (+ subjunctive occīderit, condiderit), then the main clause multum tamen … addet. ut populī ut urbēs: 'as peoples, as cities did', i.e. like whole communities. quasi semper vīctūrus: 'as if destined to live for ever', future participle of vīvō; the destruction itself will make him remembered. mānsūra: future participle of maneō, 'that will last'.

Ep. 6.16.3Equidem beātōs putō, quibus deōrum mūnere datum est aut facere scrībenda aut scrībere legenda, beātissimōs vērō quibus utrumque.

For my part I count those people fortunate to whom the gods have granted either to do things worth writing about or to write things worth reading, and most fortunate of all those who have been granted both.

Note. beātōs putō, quibus … datum est: 'I consider (them) fortunate to whom it has been granted'. The gerundives scrībenda and legenda are neat opposites: 'things to be written about' and 'things to be read'. utrumque: 'both', neuter, sc. datum est.

Ep. 6.16.3Hōrum in numerō avunculus meus et suīs librīs et tuīs erit.

My uncle will be among their number, both through his own books and through yours.

Note. et suīs librīs et tuīs: 'both by his own books and by yours'. In numerō (+ gen.): 'among, in the number of'.

Ep. 6.16.3Quō libentius suscipiō, dēposcō etiam quod iniungis.

So I undertake the more gladly, indeed I ask for, the task you lay on me.

Note. Quō libentius: 'the more gladly' (quō, ablative of degree, 'by which [fact]'). dēposcō etiam: 'I even demand' the task, a polite exaggeration.

Ep. 6.16.4Erat Mīsēnī classemque imperiō praesēns regēbat.

He was at Misenum, in personal command of the fleet.

Note. Mīsēnī: locative, 'at Misenum', the headquarters of the Roman fleet on the Bay of Naples, which the Elder Pliny commanded (praefectus classis). imperiō praesēns: 'present in command', i.e. in person.

Ep. 6.16.4Nōnum Kal. Septembrēs hōrā ferē septimā māter mea indicat eī appārēre nūbem inūsitātā et magnitūdine et speciē.

On the 24th of August, at about the seventh hour, my mother pointed out to him that a cloud of unusual size and appearance was appearing.

Note. Nōnum Kal. Septembrēs: short for ante diem nōnum Kalendās Septembrēs, the ninth day (counting inclusively) before 1 September, i.e. 24 August (some manuscripts give a different date, and archaeology suggests the eruption may have been later in the autumn). hōrā ferē septimā: the seventh hour of daylight, early afternoon. indicat: historic present. inūsitātā et magnitūdine et speciē: ablative of description, 'of unusual size and appearance'.

Ep. 6.16.5Ūsus ille sōle, mox frīgidā, gustāverat iacēns studēbatque;

He had been out in the sun, then had a cold bath, had taken a meal lying down and was working at his books;

Note. Ūsus sōle: 'having taken the sun', i.e. sunbathed (ūtor + ablative). mox frīgidā: sc. aquā, 'then a cold bath'. gustāverat iacēns: 'had taken a light meal lying down'. The detail shows the Elder Pliny's famously disciplined routine of study.

Ep. 6.16.5poscit soleās, ascendit locum ex quō maximē mīrāculum illud cōnspicī poterat.

he calls for his sandals and climbs to a spot from which that marvel could best be seen.

Note. poscit soleās: he called for his sandals, which Romans took off when reclining. A string of historic presents makes the story move quickly.

Ep. 6.16.5Nūbēs- incertum procul intuentibus ex quō monte;

A cloud (to those watching from far off it was uncertain from which mountain;

Note. The sentence is broken by a parenthesis, marked with dashes in the text: Nūbēs (incertum … Vesuvium fuisse …) oriēbātur. incertum, sc. erat. intuentibus: dative, 'to those watching'.

Ep. 6.16.5Vesuvium fuisse posteā cognitum est- oriēbātur, cuius similitūdinem et fōrmam nōn alia magis arbor quam pīnus expresserit.

it was afterwards learned to have been Vesuvius) was rising, whose likeness and shape no tree would have expressed better than a pine.

Note. cognitum est: impersonal, 'it was found out'. cuius similitūdinem … expresserit: a relative clause of characteristic, 'whose shape no tree would have reproduced better than a pine'. The Mediterranean umbrella pine has a tall bare trunk and a spreading crown; volcanologists still call this kind of eruption column 'Plinian'.

Ep. 6.16.6Nam longissimō velut truncō ēlāta in altum quibusdam rāmīs diffundēbātur, crēdō quia recentī spīritū ēvecta, dein senēscente eō dēstitūta aut etiam pondere suō victa in lātitūdinem vānēscēbat, candida interdum, interdum sordida et maculōsa prōut terram cineremve sustulerat.

For it was carried up high on a very tall trunk, as it were, and then spread out into branches, I suppose because it had been lifted by a fresh blast of air, then, when that blast weakened, was left without support, or else was overcome by its own weight and thinned out sideways, at times white, at times dirty and blotchy, according as it had carried up earth or ash.

Note. elāta, ēvecta, dēstitūta, victa all agree with the cloud (nūbēs, feminine). senēscente eō: ablative absolute, 'as it (the blast, spīritus) grew weaker'. prōut … sustulerat: 'according as it had carried up earth or ash'; cineremve = cinerem + -ve, 'or ash'.

Ep. 6.16.7Magnum propiusque nōscendum ut ērudītissimō virō vīsum.

To a man so learned it seemed important and worth a closer look.

Note. Magnum … vīsum, sc. est: 'it seemed important'. propius nōscendum: gerundive, 'to be investigated more closely'. ut ērudītissimō virō: 'as (it would to) a most learned man', i.e. being the scholar he was.

Ep. 6.16.7Iubet liburnicam aptārī;

He orders a light galley to be made ready;

Note. liburnicam: a light, fast galley, named after the Liburnians of the Adriatic coast.

Ep. 6.16.7mihi sī venīre ūnā vellem facit cōpiam;

he gives me the chance to come with him if I wanted;

Note. mihi … facit cōpiam: 'he gives me the opportunity'. sī venīre ūnā vellem: 'if I wanted to come along'; ūnā is the adverb 'together'.

Ep. 6.16.7respondī studēre mē mālle, et forte ipse quod scrīberem dederat.

I answered that I preferred to study, and as it happened he had himself given me something to write.

Note. studēre mē mālle: indirect statement after respondī, 'that I preferred to study'. quod scrīberem: relative clause of purpose, 'something to write'.

Ep. 6.16.8Ēgrediēbātur domō;

He was leaving the house;

Note. Ēgrediēbātur: imperfect, 'he was (just) leaving' when the note arrived.

Ep. 6.16.8accipit cōdicillōs Rēctīnae Tascī imminentī perīculō exterritae- nam vīlla eius subiacēbat, nec ūlla nisi nāvibus fuga-: ut sē tantō discrīminī ēriperet ōrābat.

he receives a note from Rectina, wife of Tascius, terrified by the danger hanging over her (for her villa lay at the foot of the mountain, and there was no escape except by ship): she begged him to rescue her from so great a peril.

Note. Rēctīnae Tascī: 'of Rectina, (wife) of Tascius'. imminentī perīculō: ablative of cause with exterritae. The parenthesis explains her fear: her villa stood at the foot of the mountain, and only a ship could get her out. ut sē … ēriperet: indirect command after ōrābat.

Ep. 6.16.9Vertit ille cōnsilium et quod studiōsō animō incohāverat obit maximō.

He changes his plan, and what he had begun in a spirit of inquiry he carries through in a spirit of the greatest heroism.

Note. Vertit … cōnsilium: he changed his plan from a scientific trip to a rescue. quod studiōsō animō incohāverat obit maximō: the balance of studiōsō animō and (animō) maximō makes the point: begun as research, it became heroism.

Ep. 6.16.9Dēdūcit quadrirēmēs, ascendit ipse nōn Rēctīnae modo sed multīs- erat enim frequēns amoenitās ōrae- lātūrus auxilium.

He launches the quadriremes and goes on board himself, to bring help not only to Rectina but to many people, for that lovely coast was thickly settled.

Note. quadrirēmēs: large warships, a sign of how big the rescue was to be. nōn Rēctīnae modo sed multīs: 'not only to Rectina but to many'. frequēns amoenitās ōrae: 'the charm of the coast was crowded', i.e. the pleasant coast was full of villas. lātūrus: future participle of ferō expressing purpose, 'to bring'.

Ep. 6.16.10Properat illūc unde aliī fugiunt, rēctumque cursum rēcta gubernācula in perīculum tenet adeō solūtus metū, ut omnēs illīus malī mōtūs omnēs figūrās ut dēprenderat oculīs dictāret ēnotāretque.

He hurries to the place others are fleeing from, and holds his course straight, his helm set straight for the danger, so free from fear that he dictated and noted down every movement, every shape of that catastrophe as he observed them with his own eyes.

Note. rēctum cursum rēcta gubernācula: a pointed repetition, 'he holds a straight course and a straight helm'. adeō solūtus metū, ut … dictāret ēnotāretque: result clause, 'so free from fear that he dictated and noted down'. ut dēprenderat oculīs: 'as he had caught them with his eyes'.

Ep. 6.16.11Iam nāvibus cinis incidēbat, quō propius accēderent, calidior et dēnsior;

Ash was already falling on the ships, hotter and denser the closer they came;

Note. quō propius accēderent, calidior et dēnsior: 'the closer they came, the hotter and thicker (it was)'. The subjunctive accēderent marks repeated action.

Ep. 6.16.11iam pūmicēs etiam nigrīque et ambustī et frāctī igne lapidēs;

now pieces of pumice too, and stones blackened, scorched and cracked by the fire;

Note. Supply incidēbant: 'now pumice was falling too, and stones'. nigrī, ambustī and frāctī all describe lapidēs.

Ep. 6.16.11iam vadum subitum ruīnāque montis lītora obstantia.

now a sudden shallow, and the shore blocked by debris from the mountain.

Note. vadum subitum: 'a sudden shallow', where debris had raised the sea floor. ruīnā montis: ablative, 'by the debris of the mountain'. The three sentences beginning iam build up the danger.

Ep. 6.16.11Cūnctātus paulum an retrō flecteret, mox gubernātōrī ut ita faceret monentī "Fortēs" inquit "fortūna iuvat: Pompōniānum pete."

He hesitated for a moment whether to turn back; then, when the helmsman urged him to do so, he said: "Fortune favours the brave: make for Pomponianus."

Note. Cūnctātus: the participle of a deponent verb, 'having hesitated'. an retrō flecteret: indirect question, 'whether he should turn back'. Fortēs fortūna iuvat: a proverb, 'Fortune favours the brave'. Pompōniānum pete: 'make for Pomponianus', a friend whose villa was at Stabiae.

Ep. 6.16.12Stabiīs erat dirēmptus sinū mediō- nam sēnsim circumāctīs curvātīsque lītoribus mare īnfunditur-;

Pomponianus was at Stabiae, separated by the width of the bay (for the sea pours in where the shore gradually curves and bends round);

Note. Stabiīs: locative, 'at Stabiae', about 15 km from Vesuvius across the curve of the bay. sinū mediō: 'by the bay between'. The parenthesis explains the geography: the shore curves round, and the sea pours into the bay.

Ep. 6.16.12ibi quamquam nōndum perīculō appropinquante, cōnspicuō tamen et cum crēsceret proximō, sarcinās contulerat in nāvēs, certus fugae sī contrārius ventus resēdisset.

there, although the danger was not yet approaching, it was in plain sight and, as it grew, would be very close, so he had put his baggage on board ship, determined to escape if the contrary wind dropped.

Note. quamquam nōndum perīculō appropinquante: an ablative absolute with quamquam, 'although the danger was not yet approaching'; cōnspicuō and proximō continue it, 'but visible, and, as it grew, very near'. certus fugae: 'resolved on flight'. sī … resēdisset: pluperfect subjunctive, his intention reported from the past, 'if the wind should drop'. The wind that blew the Elder Pliny in kept Pomponianus from sailing out.

Ep. 6.16.12Quō tunc avunculus meus secundissimō invectus, complectitur trepidantem cōnsōlātur hortātur, utque timōrem eius suā sēcūritāte lēnīret, dēferrī in balineum iubet;

My uncle, carried in by that same wind, which was very favourable for him, embraces his frightened friend, comforts him, encourages him, and to calm his fear by his own composure he asks to be taken to the bath;

Note. Quō … secundissimō: 'by this (wind), most favourable (to him)', with invectus, 'carried in'. complectitur … cōnsōlātur … hortātur: three verbs without a conjunction (asyndeton) for quick action. ut … lēnīret: purpose clause. dēferrī in balineum iubet: he asks to be taken to the bath, a show of calm.

Ep. 6.16.12lōtus accubat cēnat, aut hilaris aut- quod aequē magnum- similis hilarī.

after bathing he lies down and dines, cheerful, or (which is just as great a thing) appearing cheerful.

Note. lōtus: 'having bathed', perfect participle of lavō. accubat cēnat: asyndeton again. quod aequē magnum, sc. est: 'which is just as great'; looking cheerful in such danger is as admirable as being cheerful.

Ep. 6.16.13Interim ē Vesuviō monte plūribus locīs lātissimae flammae altaque incendia relūcēbant, quōrum fulgor et clāritās tenebrīs noctis excitābātur.

Meanwhile from Mount Vesuvius very broad sheets of flame and tall fires were blazing in many places, their glare and brightness heightened by the darkness of the night.

Note. lātissimae flammae altaque incendia: subjects of relūcēbant. tenebrīs noctis: ablative of cause, 'by the darkness of the night'.

Ep. 6.16.13Ille agrestium trepidātiōne ignēs relictōs dēsertāsque vīllās per sōlitūdinem ārdēre in remedium formīdinis dictitābat.

To calm their fear he kept saying that these were fires left burning by the country people in their panic, and empty villas burning in the deserted countryside.

Note. Ille … dictitābat: 'he kept saying', frequentative of dīcō. The indirect statement has two subjects with ardēre: ignēs relictōs and dēsertās vīllās. agrestium trepidātiōne: 'through the panic of the country people'. in remedium formīdinis: 'as a remedy for their fear'.

Ep. 6.16.13Tum sē quiētī dedit et quiēvit vērissimō quidem somnō;

Then he went to rest and truly slept;

Note. sē quiētī dedit: 'he gave himself to rest'. vērissimō quidem somnō: 'in a perfectly genuine sleep', not pretended.

Ep. 6.16.13nam meātus animae, quī illī propter amplitūdinem corporis gravior et sonantior erat, ab iīs quī līminī obversābantur audiēbātur.

for his breathing, which was rather heavy and loud because of his bulk, was heard by those who were going to and fro outside his door.

Note. meātus animae: 'the passage of his breath', i.e. his breathing. propter amplitūdinem corporis: he was a heavy man. iīs quī līminī obversābantur: 'those who were moving about at the threshold'.

Ep. 6.16.14Sed ārea ex quā diaeta adībātur ita iam cinere mīxtīsque pūmicibus opplēta surrēxerat, ut sī longior in cubiculō mora, exitus negārētur.

But the courtyard from which his room was reached had by now filled up so high with ash and pumice mixed together that, if he had stayed any longer in the bedroom, he would have been unable to get out.

Note. diaeta: a room or suite in a villa. ut sī longior in cubiculō mora (sc. esset), exitus negārētur: result clause containing a condition, 'that if he had stayed longer in the bedroom, he would have been prevented from leaving'.

Ep. 6.16.14Excitātus prōcēdit, sēque Pompōniānō cēterīsque quī pervigilāverant reddit.

He is woken, comes out, and rejoins Pomponianus and the others, who had stayed up all night.

Note. Excitātus: 'having been woken'. sē … reddit: 'returns himself', i.e. rejoins.

Ep. 6.16.15In commūne cōnsultant, intrā tēcta subsistant an in apertō vagentur.

They discuss together whether to stay under cover or to go out into the open.

Note. In commūne cōnsultant: 'they consult together'. subsistant an … vagentur: a double indirect question without utrum, 'whether they should stay indoors or move about in the open'.

Ep. 6.16.15Nam crēbrīs vāstīsque tremōribus tēcta nūtābant, et quasi ēmōta sēdibus suīs nunc hūc nunc illūc abīre aut referrī vidēbantur.

For the buildings were shaking with frequent, violent tremors and seemed to sway this way and that, as if torn from their foundations.

Note. tēcta nūtābant: 'the buildings were swaying'; earthquakes accompany the eruption. quasi ēmōta sēdibus suīs: 'as if moved from their foundations'.

Ep. 6.16.16Sub dīō rūrsus quamquam levium exēsōrumque pūmicum cāsus metuēbātur, quod tamen perīculōrum collātiō ēlēgit;

In the open air, on the other hand, there was the fear of falling pumice, light and porous though it was; but a comparison of the dangers chose this.

Note. Sub dīō: 'under the sky', in the open air. levium exēsōrumque pūmicum: the pumice was 'light and porous', but still frightening as it fell. quamquam … metuēbātur: concessive. quod … ēlēgit: 'but the comparison of dangers chose this (option)', i.e. going outside.

Ep. 6.16.16et apud illum quidem ratiō ratiōnem, apud aliōs timōrem timor vīcit.

And with him, indeed, it was reason that overcame reason; with the others, fear overcame fear.

Note. A neat chiasmus: in him reason conquered reason (one argument outweighed another), in the others fear conquered fear.

Ep. 6.16.16Cervīcālia capitibus imposita linteīs cōnstringunt;

They put pillows on their heads and tie them on with cloths;

Note. Cervīcālia: pillows, tied on the head as protection; capitibus imposita: 'placed on their heads'.

Ep. 6.16.16id mūnīmentum adversus incidentia fuit.

that was their protection against the things falling.

Note. adversus incidentia: 'against falling objects'; adversus here is the preposition, with the present participle incidentia used as a noun.

Ep. 6.16.17Iam diēs alibī, illīc nox omnibus noctibus nigrior dēnsiorque;

Elsewhere it was now day, but there it was night, blacker and thicker than any night;

Note. Iam diēs alibī: 'elsewhere it was now day'. omnibus noctibus: ablative of comparison, 'than all nights'.

Ep. 6.16.17quam tamen facēs multae variaque lūmina solvēbant.

yet many torches and lamps of various kinds relieved it.

Note. quam … solvēbant: 'which, however, many torches and lamps relieved', i.e. broke up the darkness.

Ep. 6.16.17Placuit ēgredī in lītus, et ex proximō adspicere, ecquid iam mare admitteret;

They decided to go down to the shore and see at close quarters whether the sea now allowed them to put out;

Note. Placuit: impersonal, 'it was decided'. ecquid … admitteret: indirect question, 'whether the sea would yet allow (them)' to sail away.

Ep. 6.16.17quod adhūc vāstum et adversum permanēbat.

but it was still wild and against them.

Note. adversum: here the adjective, 'hostile', of a sea running against them.

Ep. 6.16.18Ibi super abiectum linteum recubāns semel atque iterum frīgidam aquam poposcit hausitque.

There, lying on a cloth spread out for him, he asked once or twice for cold water and drank it.

Note. super abiectum linteum: 'on a cloth spread out (for him)'. semel atque iterum: 'once and again', more than once.

Ep. 6.16.18Deinde flammae flammārumque praenūntius odor sulpuris aliōs in fugam vertunt, excitant illum.

Then flames, and a smell of sulphur that warned of flames, drive the others to flight and rouse him.

Note. flammārum praenūntius: 'giving warning of flames', with odor sulpuris. vertunt … excitant: historic presents return for the climax.

Ep. 6.16.19Innītēns servolīs duōbus assurrēxit et statim concidit, ut ego colligō, crassiōre cālīgine spīritū obstrūctō, clausōque stomachō quī illī nātūrā invalidus et angustus et frequenter aestuāns erat.

Leaning on two slaves he stood up and at once collapsed, because, as I conclude, his breathing was blocked by the thicker fumes and his windpipe closed, for it was naturally weak and narrow and often inflamed.

Note. Innītēns servolīs duōbus: 'leaning on two slaves'; innītor takes the dative. ut ego colligō: 'as I infer'; Pliny was not there. crassiōre cālīgine spīritū obstrūctō: ablative absolute with an ablative of cause, 'his breathing being blocked by the thicker fumes'. quī illī … erat: 'which was in his case by nature weak'; illī is a dative of reference. Many modern doctors think a heart attack or asthma is more likely than poison gas, since others with him survived.

Ep. 6.16.20Ubi diēs redditus- is ab eō quem novissimē vīderat tertius-, corpus inventum integrum illaesum opertumque ut fuerat indūtus: habitus corporis quiēscentī quam dēfūnctō similior.

When daylight returned (the third day from the last he had seen), his body was found intact and unhurt, covered just as he had been dressed: the look of the body was more like a man asleep than dead.

Note. Ubi diēs redditus (sc. est): 'when daylight returned'. is … tertius: 'this was the third (day) from the one he had last seen', counting inclusively, i.e. 26 August. opertumque ut fuerat indūtus: 'and covered, just as he had been dressed'. quiēscentī quam dēfūnctō similior: 'more like one resting than one dead'.

Ep. 6.16.21Interim Mīsēnī ego et māter- sed nihil ad historiam, nec tū aliud quam dē exitū eius scīre voluistī.

Meanwhile at Misenum my mother and I... but this has nothing to do with history, and you wanted to know only about his death.

Note. Pliny breaks off (aposiopesis) as he starts to tell his own story, which Tacitus asked for next: it is told in Letter 6.20. nihil ad historiam, sc. pertinet: 'this has nothing to do with history'.

Ep. 6.16.21Fīnem ergō faciam.

So I will make an end.

Note. Fīnem faciam: 'I shall make an end'.

Ep. 6.16.22Ūnum adiciam, omnia mē quibus interfueram quaeque statim, cum maximē vēra memorantur, audieram, persecūtum.

I will add just one thing: that I have related everything I witnessed myself and what I heard immediately afterwards, when the truth is best remembered.

Note. mē … persecūtum, sc. esse: indirect statement, 'that I have gone through everything'. quibus interfueram: 'at which I had been present'. quaeque … audieram: 'and what I had heard' (quae + -que). cum maximē vēra memorantur: 'when things are reported most truly', i.e. straight after the events.

Ep. 6.16.22Tū potissima excerpēs;

You will pick out the most important points;

Note. potissima: 'the most important things', neuter plural used as a noun.

Ep. 6.16.22aliud est enim epistulam aliud historiam, aliud amīcō aliud omnibus scrībere.

for writing a letter is one thing and writing history another, writing for a friend one thing and writing for everyone another.

Note. aliud … aliud: 'one thing … another'. The infinitive scrībere goes with each pair: writing a letter differs from writing history, writing to a friend from writing for everyone.

Ep. 6.16.22Valē.

Farewell.

Note. Valē: 'Farewell', the usual closing of a Roman letter, imperative of valeō, 'be well'.