Reluctant Conspirator: The Legacy of Pliny the Elder

Author(s): Martin Diano

Location(s): Rome

Genre(s): Historical, Fiction

Era(s): Ancient Rome - 1st Century AD

In the first century AD, Rome was at the pinnacle of its power.

Mighty as the empire was, Rome spends much of the first century in tumult. Politics had become a blood sport. Assassinations, treachery, and despotism were the norm.

A time of particular turbulence was AD 14–69. Nero opts for suicide. Claudius had been poisoned by his wife. Four emperors were murdered: Caligula, Galba, Piso, and Vitellius. By year’s end, Vespasian Flavius, an army general, marched his troops on Rome and seized power in AD 69, becoming the fourth emperor in twelve months.

The summer of AD 79 marked Vespasian’s tenth year as emperor. He remained in power by purging his enemies and buying the support of the senate and praetorian guard. To consolidate his power and solidify the line of family succession, he named both of his sons to high military positions. The decision was met with disdain and enabled his enemies list to flourish.

His throne was imperiled.

One man in Rome can lay claim to having served all the emperors during this period. His name was Pliny the Elder. Is he the man who can save the Flavian Dynasty?

Pliny the Elder receives a secret dispatch from Emperor Vespasian. Bearing the official emperor’s seal, the message says: Be in attendance at the Imperial Palace to meet with me on the morning of 3 August. Say nothing of this to anyone. –Vespasian

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