Pliny Trajan Correspondence
Describe and explain the contents of Pliny’s letter to Trajan and Trajan’s reply
Pliny, instead of the usual Senatorial governor, was sent to Bithynia in 112AD to reorganise the affairs of the province, which had fallen into a deplorable state through the mismanagement of ‘local authorities’. Pliny was described by Mackail as being “upright and conscientious, but irresolute, pedantic and totally unable to think and act for himself in any unusual circumstances”.
Pliny was investigating Christians in Bithynia but was in doubt over what to do and so sent a letter to Trajan, the Roman emperor, for advice, as “who… better to guide me when I am at a stand, or enlighten me if I am in ignorance?”. He did not know how to punish Christians in certain circumstances, having no previous experience. There was also no clear imperial policy on how to treat Christians, with Pliny saying “I have had no little uncertainty whether there is any distinction of age, or whether the very weakest offenders are treated exactly like the stronger; whether pardon is given to those who repent, or whether a man who has once been a Christian gains nothing by having ceased to be such”.
Pliny explained to Trajan that in the past he had asked the people he came across whether they were Christians, and if they said they were Christians he would threaten them with punishment and ask them twice more whether they were Christian, and if they agreed every time he would send them for execution (Roman law does not accept a single confession as proof of crime). He would also send them to be executed if they were stubborn, as “obstinacy and unbending perversity deserve to be punished”. If there were Roman citizens Pliny deemed to be insane he noted them down to be sent to Rome. Roman citizens had an advantage over others at this time, as if you were ordered to be executed you could appeal to the Emperor but if this appeal failed and you did have to be executed it would be by beheading, not crucifixion as
Pliny, instead of the usual Senatorial governor, was sent to Bithynia in 112AD to reorganise the affairs of the province, which had fallen into a deplorable state through the mismanagement of ‘local authorities’. Pliny was described by Mackail as being “upright and conscientious, but irresolute, pedantic and totally unable to think and act for himself in any unusual circumstances”.
Pliny was investigating Christians in Bithynia but was in doubt over what to do and so sent a letter to Trajan, the Roman emperor, for advice, as “who… better to guide me when I am at a stand, or enlighten me if I am in ignorance?”. He did not know how to punish Christians in certain circumstances, having no previous experience. There was also no clear imperial policy on how to treat Christians, with Pliny saying “I have had no little uncertainty whether there is any distinction of age, or whether the very weakest offenders are treated exactly like the stronger; whether pardon is given to those who repent, or whether a man who has once been a Christian gains nothing by having ceased to be such”.
Pliny explained to Trajan that in the past he had asked the people he came across whether they were Christians, and if they said they were Christians he would threaten them with punishment and ask them twice more whether they were Christian, and if they agreed every time he would send them for execution (Roman law does not accept a single confession as proof of crime). He would also send them to be executed if they were stubborn, as “obstinacy and unbending perversity deserve to be punished”. If there were Roman citizens Pliny deemed to be insane he noted them down to be sent to Rome. Roman citizens had an advantage over others at this time, as if you were ordered to be executed you could appeal to the Emperor but if this appeal failed and you did have to be executed it would be by beheading, not crucifixion as