Introduction
Rome welcomed gentle Nerva (r. 96-98) with relief following the death of Emperor Domitian, who — thanks to hangers-on such as Fabricius Veiento, and the feared spymaster Catullus Messalinus — had maintained a vicious police state. Pliny’s friend Julius Mauricus had lost his brother in one of Domitian’s purges, but he was still speaking his mind.
I RECENTLY attended our excellent Emperor* [Nerva] as one of his assessors, in a cause wherein he himself presided. A certain person left by his will a fund for the establishment of gymnastic games* at Vienne. These my worthy friend Trebonius Rufinus, when he exercised the office of Duumvir, had ordered to be totally abolished;* and it was now alleged that he had no official power to do so. He pleaded his own cause as successfully as he pleaded it eloquently; and what particularly recommended his speech was, that he delivered it with the deliberate gravity proper to a true Roman and a good citizen in dealing with a personal matter.
When the sentiments of the assessors were taken, Junius Mauricus* (who in resolution and integrity has no superior) pronounced that these games should not be restored to the people of Vienne; “and I wish,” added he, “they could be abolished at Rome too!”*
* Marcus Cocceius Nerva, Roman Emperor from 96 to 98. Tacitus too regarded the reign of Nerva as a golden age in Roman Empire. See also Thank Heaven for Free Speech, where John Trenchard and Thomas Gibson (writing as ‘Cato’) recall Tacitus’s words of praise for Nerva and for Nerva’s chosen successor, Trajan.
* At this point Pliny transliterated the Greek term γυμνικός ἀγών (as gymnicus agon) meaning an athletic contest. Athletic training was closely linked with the Greeks’ view of art, music and medicine. The pentathlon challenged competitors to a foot race, long jump, javelin throw, discus throw, and wrestling; boxing was a separate discipline. The average Roman, more practical than his Greek neighbour, thought the quest for the male body beautiful was an affectation, and the idea of parading about in the nude revolted him. “These games had greatly infected the manners of the people of Vienne” complained Pliny; “as they have universally had the same effect among us”.
* Rufinus had served as one of two joint magistrates (duumviri) chosen out of the body of decuriones, or local senators, at Vienna in Gallia Lugdunensis, modern-day Vienne in the Isère department south of Lyons.
* Junius Mauricus had long enjoyed a reputation as a critic of corrupt and heavy-handed government. He spoke out about public lawlessness under Galba (r. 68-69) and led efforts under Vespasian (r. 69-79) to bring Nero’s web of informers to justice. In 93, his brother Arulenus Rusticus was executed under Domitian (r. 81-96) and Mauricus was banished, returning under Nerva (r. 96-98). Pliny was engaged by Mauricus to find a husband for his niece, and a tutor for his nephews.
* Both Nero and Nerva’s predecessor Domitian had established athletic games on the Olympian model at Rome. Thanks to the two Emperors’ reputation for deranged cruelty, these precedents did nothing to change the minds of doubters.
Précis
Pliny the Younger recalled joining his friend Julius Mauricus on a committee which had to decide whether to let the town of Vienne in Roman Gaul establish an athletics festival, following a wealthy citizen’s bequest. Pliny was impressed with Mauricus’s principle in openly opposing not only this new festival in Vienne, but also those founded by recent Emperors in Rome. (60 / 60 words)
Pliny the Younger recalled joining his friend Julius Mauricus on a committee which had to decide whether to let the town of Vienne in Roman Gaul establish an athletics festival, following a wealthy citizen’s bequest. Pliny was impressed with Mauricus’s principle in openly opposing not only this new festival in Vienne, but also those founded by recent Emperors in Rome.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, besides, despite, if, just, must, or, since.
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