Pliny seems to have been trained in philosophy but he is not writing a philosopher but rather as an administrator. He was held in high regard by a wide circle of friends, the public at large and most importantly the Emperor Trajan. Through the eyes of Pliny I discovered the excellence that earmarked a successful ordinary Roman citizen. His letters represents him as a wealthy, hardworking man that walks in prominent circles and devoted to continually learn. His life looks no different from a modern leader in modern society. I find Pliny managing his estates and finances with care and that he goes on holidays like I would do during a good vacation. In Roman life he was far richer, busier and involved in politics than what I can ever dream to be. Pliny provides a view of social and political life of the Roman Empire during the second century Christian era.
Since my interest is in the advancement of civilisation it is worthwhile to look at the context in which Pliny lived in terms of the Emperor Trajan. Trajan is generally seen as a good emperor and was given the title as “the best” and put forward as an example of what a Roman Emperor should look like to all following emperors of Rome. Every emperor after him was honoured by the Senate with the wish “felicior Augusto, melior Traiano” (luckier than Augustus and beter than Trajan). In Trajan’s time we see the Roman empire extend its boarders to the biggest territorial area in its history as well as some significant building programs to advance the Roman empire’s society. Ancient sources on Trajan’s personality and accomplishments are unanimously positive. Pliny describe Trajan as a “good” emperor in that, by himself, he approved or blamed the same things the Senate would have approved or blamed. It means he did not use his position to override the will of the Senate and respected the authority of a wider system of consultation. If in reality Trajan was an autocrat, his deferential behaviour towards his peers qualified him to the role of virtuous monarch. Trajan wielded autocratic power through moderatio instead of contumacia – moderation instead of insolence.
Despite being ancient Rome, Pliny lives in a complex empire bigger than most countries in the modern world with less technological resources to aid him. We talk of a time of success and progress and it is worthwhile to try and see what made Roman Civilisation successful. I had always been aware of the prowess of the Roman Army but failed to see that such a huge empire can only be manage over such a long period if there is some successful administrative system behind it that works like clockwork. This system of governance was a key success factor to sustain Roman civilisation. Pliny provides me with a view into that world and I would like to extract those elements that seems part of the success recipe of ancient Rome.
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