Pliny The Younger Analysis

A letter preserved in Rome was written from Pliny in A.D. 111or 112 to Trajan the Emperor of Rome. Pliny the Younger, governor of Pontus/Bithynia from A.D. 111-113 was sent there to restore order and establish financial security. Pliny a man of wealth and prestige was, as a Roman senator highly educated and an excellent writer who exerted both political and public influence. Pliny is reported to have secretly been involved in the coup to see Trajan endorsed as Emperor.

Trajan ruled as Emperor of Rome from 98 to 117CE. He was compassionate towards his subjects and his leadership saw the completion of public works and the Port of Ostia extended. He was a highly commended general exerting great political power and won major conflicts against

Pliny held the firm belief that Christianity could be held in check, as though one had an illness and that a cure for said illness was to hand. He concludes with the thought that if an opportunity to repent is given, then people can be

This effectively caused Christians to stop the practice of a common meal and gathering together.

Pliny died one year after this correspondence and whilst his initiatives were validated by Trajan, Trajan introduced conditions re Christian prosecution,

Trajan’s succinct answer introduced three guidelines and reaffirmed Pliny’s stance. Two guidelines were advantageous to the infant church viz Christians could not be actively sought out, case by case and he ruled that anonymous letters or postings were prohibited. His third ruling which suited the culture of the time ie that those who recanted their Christianity were to be pardoned. While Trajan refrained from overt persecutions, none-the less, two bishops were executed during his rule. Trajan 's cautionary note, particularly in regards to anonymous complaints was repeated by his successor Hadrian