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Stage 41 110
Bithynia and Pontus Pliny the Younger, Emperor Trajan
The five pairs of letters in this selection
provide a first-hand picture of Roman
provincial government in action. They
were written c . A.D. 110 to the Emperor
Trajan by Pliny the Younger while he
was governor of the province of Bithynia
and Pontus (Asia Minor). The letters
show some of the problems Pliny had to
deal with, the ways in which he handled
them, and Trajan’s responses. They may
also give students some impression of
both men’s personalities.
The government of the Roman
provinces
Stage 40 87 Rome: Curis (Senate
House)
Lusius Ursus Servianus (presiding judge),
Vitellianus (son of Salvius and Rufilla)
Salvius is accused by Glabrio of forging
Cogidubnus’ will and of other crimes in
Britain. Memor is one of the chief
witnesses against him. Domitian keeps a
low profile at first, hoping that Salvius
willn not implicate him. Domitia,
restored to favor, plots revenge on
Salvius; Quintus, who has come to
Rome from Britain, testifies against him;
an angry mob is now out for his blood;
Rufilla abandons him; their son stands
by him. Salvius decides not to reveal
Domitian’s involvement in his own
crimes, so as not to endanger his son
further; he makes his will and attempts
suicide but is thwarted and condemned
to five years in exile. Haterius bravely
accompanies his old patron. Glabrio and
Quintus are rewarded with the favor and
support of the emperor. Myropnous
declines an offer of freedom, satisfied
that Paris has been avenged at last.
Roman law courts