Elegant yet approachable Latin prose. Direct view into Roman life at Empire's greatest extent.
Letter 6.4 — To Calpurnia
A love letter to his young wife Calpurnia, expressing concern and longing during her illness.
Letter 6.7 — To Calpurnius
A letter discussing oratory and the decline of eloquence in the Roman courts.
Letter 6.16 — To Cornelius Tacitus (Vesuvius I)
Pliny's first account of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the death of his uncle, Pliny the Elder.
Letter 6.20 — To Cornelius Tacitus (Vesuvius II)
Pliny's second, more personal account of the Vesuvius eruption, describing his own escape.
Letter 7.27 — To Sura (Ghosts & Apparitions)
A philosophical inquiry into ghosts and apparitions, featuring the famous haunted house of Athens.
Letter 10.5 — To Emperor Trajan
Pliny consults Trajan about the punishment of Christians in Bithynia.
Letter 10.6 — Trajan's Reply
Trajan responds to Pliny's inquiry about the treatment of Christians.
Letter 10.7 — To Emperor Trajan
Pliny seeks Trajan's guidance on fire brigades in Nicomedia.
Letter 10.37 — To Emperor Trajan
Pliny reports on the condition of public buildings and finances in Bithynia.
Letter 10.90 — To Emperor Trajan
Pliny discusses the restoration of public works and governance matters.
The most influential work of Latin literature. Model of poetic style and political commentary.
Aeneid Book 1 — The Trojans Reach Carthage
Storm, arrival in Carthage, Dido's hospitality, and the founding narrative begins.
Aeneid Book 2 — The Fall of Troy
The Wooden Horse, Laocoon, the sack of Troy, and Aeneas' escape.
Aeneid Book 4 — The Tragedy of Dido
Dido's love for Aeneas, Mercury's mission, Aeneas' departure, Dido's death.
Aeneid Book 6 — The Underworld
Aeneas descends to the Underworld, meets Anchises, and sees the future of Rome.
Aeneid Book 7 — War in Latium
Arrival in Italy, Juno's wrath, the outbreak of war with the Latins.
Aeneid Book 11 — The Truce and Return to War
Funeral of Pallas, truce for burial, Camilla's heroic death.
Aeneid Book 12 — The Final Battle
The duel between Aeneas and Turnus, the end of the epic.