PLINIUS. Epistolae. Venice: Aldus, 1508.

8vo (160x95 mm), 20th century full calf, four raised bands spine with gilt fillets and letterings, the name of the author is handwritten at lower edge in brown ink, marbled fly-leaves, ff. [12], pp. 525, [2].

FIRST EDITION OF THE FAMOUS LETTERS BY PLINY THE YOUNGER.

Pliny’s most famous work in the intellectual field are his Epistolae, a selection of which he published in nine books. Book X, his official correspondence (121 letters) with the emperor Trajan while stationed in Bithynia, was published posthumously, presumably by Svetonius. Next to Cicero, Pliny is the most prolific Roman writer of those whose letters are extant. THE TOPICS ARE WIDE-RANGING AND GIVE A CLEAR IMPRESSION OF THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL LIFE OF THE ERA, THAT OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE BEEN QUITE UNRECORDED.

CAIUS PLINIUS CAECILIUS SECUNDUS (ca. 62-113 A.D.) or Pliny the Younger, was the nephew and heir of the historian and naturalist Caius Plinius Secundus (the Elder), who perished in the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. After the latter’s death, presumably because he was adopted in the will, Pliny the Younger changed his name from Caius Caecilius to Caius Plinius Caecilius Secundus. Originally from Comum, in Northern Italy, and quite well to do through land holdings, he enjoyed an illustrious legal and administrative career, becoming consul in 100 A.D. at the age of 39, and finally going to Bithynia on a special commission from the emperor Trajan, where he is supposed to have died. Among his literary acquaintances were Tacitus and Svetonius, and he was a patron of the poet Martial.

PROVENANCE: At first paste-down, paper ex-libris belonging to the Principe di Soragna.

REFERENCES: Adams P 1536; BM STC, Italian Books S. 525; Renouard I, 87, 3.

Wide margins and clean paper throughout; very good copy.