Man of High Empire: The Life of Pliny the Younger

Name: Man of High Empire: The Life of Pliny the Younger
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Book Synopsis: Pliny the Younger (c. 60-112 C.E.)--senator and consul in the Rome of emperors Domitian and Trajan, eyewitness to the eruption of Vesuvius in 79, and early 'persecutor' of Christians on the Black Sea--remains Rome's best documented private individual between Cicero and Augustine. No Roman writer, not even Vergil, ties his identity to the regions of Italy more successfully than Pliny. His individuality can be captured by focusing on the range of locales in which he lived: from his hometown of Comum (Como) at the foot of the Italian Alps, down through the villa and farms he owned in Umbria, to the senate and courtrooms of Rome and the magnificent residence he owned on the coast near the capital.Organized geographically, Man of High Empire is the first full-scale biography devoted solely to the Younger Pliny. Reserved, punctilious, occasionally patronizing, and perhaps inclined to overvalue his achievements, Pliny has seemed to some the ancient equivalent of Mr. Collins, the unctuous vicar of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Roy K. Gibson reveals a man more complex than this unfair comparison suggests. An innovating landowner in Umbria and a deeply generous benefactor in Comum, Pliny is also a consul who plays with words in Rome and dispenses summary justice in the provinces. A solicitous, if rather traditional, husband in northern Italy, Pliny is also a literary modernist in Rome, and--more surprisingly--a secret pessimist about Trajan, the 'best' of emperors. Pliny's life is a window on to the Empire at its zenith. The book concludes with an archaeological tour guide of the sites associated with Pliny.

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Take a step back in time and immerse yourself in ancient Rome with "Man of High Empire: The Life of Pliny the Younger." This captivating biography sheds light on the remarkable life of Pliny the Younger, a prominent figure during the reigns of emperors Domitian and Trajan. From the catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius to the corridors of power in Rome, Pliny's journey captures the essence of this golden era.

What sets this biography apart is its unique approach. Organized geographically, it takes you on a virtual tour of the locales that shaped Pliny's life. From his idyllic hometown of Comum nestled at the foot of the Italian Alps, to his luxurious villa in Umbria and the opulent residence near the coast, you'll explore the various facets of Pliny's existence.

Pliny the Younger is not simply a one-dimensional character. In "Man of High Empire," author Roy K. Gibson unveils a complex individual, far beyond any comparisons to fictional figures. Pliny was not only an astute landowner and a generous benefactor, but also a consul who possessed a remarkable command of language in Rome and dispensed justice effectively in the provinces.

But Pliny's intrigue doesn't end there. Deeply embedded within the pages of this biography is his surprising secret perspective on Trajan, considered one of the greatest emperors of all time. Pliny's conflicting feelings reveal a hidden side to the Empire's zenith, providing readers with a fresh understanding of this pivotal period in history.

Prepare to truly immerse yourself in the world of Pliny the Younger with "Man of High Empire." To further enrich your experience, we offer an exclusive archaeological tour guide to the sites associated with Pliny. Uncover the remnants of his life and witness firsthand the places where this fascinating man once stood.

Don't miss out on this incredible journey through ancient Rome. Discover the captivating life of Pliny the Younger by purchasing "Man of High Empire: The Life of Pliny the Younger" today. Click here to experience history like never before.

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