Letter 10013: As I am convinced. Sir, that the best testimonial to and appreciation of my character is to receive marks of...

Pliny the YoungerTrajan|c. 112 AD|Pliny the Younger
imperial politics

To Trajan.

As I am convinced. Sir, that the best testimonial to and appreciation of my character is to receive marks of distinction from so upright an emperor as yourself, I beg you to add to the dignity to which you have so kindly advanced me, by giving me the role either of augur or of septemvir, * now that they are vacant, so that by virtue of my priesthood I may publicly entreat the favour of the gods for you which now I implore in my private devotion.

[Note: See letter iv. 8.]

Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.

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