The Empire
Pliny the Younger
His letters describe the Vesuvius eruption and Roman life.
Years. AD 61 to about AD 113
We are not sure. The year of his death is about AD 113, not exact.
Three short facts
- 1He was the nephew of Pliny the Elder.
- 2He watched the eruption from a safer distance.
- 3He published careful, polished letters.
The story
Young Pliny was a lawyer and an official.
Years later a historian asked him what he remembered of the volcano.
His two letters are our best eyewitness account.
He also wrote about villas, trials, and school life.