3.2 Pliny & Trajan: Governance

Governor of Bithynia

Late in life Pliny served as governor of Bithynia-Pontus. His Book 10 letters are an official correspondence with the emperor Trajan on how to run the province.

The Christians letter

The most famous exchange asks Trajan how to handle Christians. Pliny describes trying and executing them, and Trajan's reply sets a measured policy — a key historical source on early Roman-Christian relations.

Roman administration

The letters reveal the workings of the empire: building projects, finances, legal questions, and the careful, respectful relationship between a conscientious governor and his emperor.

Key terms

Book 10

Pliny's official correspondence with Trajan

Trajan

the emperor Pliny wrote to about governance

Bithynia-Pontus

the province Pliny governed

The Christians letter

key source on early Roman-Christian relations

Roman administration

building, finance, law, governor-emperor relations

Try an AP-style question

Pliny wrote to Trajan as governor of…

1. Bithynia-Pontus
2. Egypt
3. Britain
4. Gaul