Saturday, June 22, 2024

June 22– "Letter LXXXIII" by Pliny the Younger translated by William Melmoth and revised by F.C.T. Bosanquet

"Marley and Marley"

June 22– "Letter LXXXIII" by Pliny the Younger translated by William Melmoth and revised by F.C.T. Bosanquet

Summary: Ancient Roman ghost stories!

Commentary: I like how ghost stories haven't changed in ~2000 years. It's still vague self fulfilling prophecies:

come to inform him of the future events of his life: that he should go back to Rome, to enjoy high honours there, and return to that province invested with the proconsular dignity, and there should die. 

[...]

though there were no symptoms in his case that led those about him to despair, he instantly gave up all hope of recovery; judging, apparently, of the truth of the future part of the prediction by what had already been fulfilled

And the stories are things he didn't see, but some guy he totally trusts did:

This story I believe upon the credit of others

Fun to see how some things are still the same. 

 

 

 

 

 

No comments:

Post a Comment

June 30– From “On Liberty” by John Steward Mill (1859)

  A different Mill (and a solid music video) June 30– From “On Liberty” by John Steward Mill (1859) Summary: Tyranny of the majority bad. Co...