pliny - 3.14 brutal murder

why is pliny telling acilius about the incident

• to inform and warn - he wants Ancilius to know about the shocking and brutal murder of Larcius Macedo as it illustrates the dangers slaves experienced from their masters

• reflects societal issues - pliny uses this incident to make a broader point about the insecurity of society, explaining status and kindness do not guarantee safety

how does pliny feel about the slaves who committed the crime

clearly condemns the slaves’ actions:

• a horrid barbarity - strong disapproval

• tone suggests fear and disgust, emphasising suhc violence threatens all masters, regardless of their behaviour

what would the punishment be for these slaves

execution which was a precedent in such situations for every slave in a household

why does pliny turn to an earlier fallen mishap with macedo

claims to ‘fill the space left on his paper’ and uses the story of when macedo was slapped by an equestrian at the baths, however links these two stories as it relates to macedo’s ill-fortune as he believes it was an omen for what happened to macedo with the slaves, shows romans strongly believed signs and omens foretold the future