Rhona Templeton
Hum 312 – 50
December 6, 2014
Comparison and Contrast of Roman Life Depicted by Juvenal and Pliny
The life of ordinary Roman men depicted by Juvenal’s character
Umbricius and the Roman aristocrat as presented in Pliny’s letters portrayed two
very different views on Roman life. Satire 3: The City of Rome depicts a man
who is envious of his friend who is getting out of the city, whereas Pliny’s letters
describe a man who is very content with his surroundings and where he has
gotten in life. Throughout this essay I will present and analyze similarities and
differences between the two authors and how Roman life is depicted.
Throughout Pliny’s letters to various recipients, he speaks highly of his life.
He has many assets to his name, which he displays very proudly. Although, he
does have his complaints about his life, which he discusses in his letter to Attius
Clemens he discusses the work that he must do, but also how he handles his
work.
Sometimes — but how seldom I get the opportunity — I complain to
Euphrates about these uncongenial duties. He consoles me and
even assures me that there is no more noble part in the whole of
philosophy than to be a public official, to hear cases, pass
judgment, explain the laws and administer justice, and so practise
in short what the philosophers do but teach (X. To Attius Clemens,
Pliny).
The letter describes the need for learning throughout Rome, but many of the
“important” ones are stuck in offices doing busy work. This appears to be a
distress to Pliny because he desires to be away from his “magisterial desk” (X. To
Attius Clemens). However, with distress there is always a light and that is
retirement that Pliny discusses in his letter to Caninus Rufus.
Pliny discusses the stresses of life in many of his letters, but he makes a
point to recognize that rest is important. In his letter to Caninus Rufus he talks
about retirement:
But really it is time that you passed on your unimportant and petty
