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1 Petis ut tibi avunculi mei exitum scribam, quo verius tradere posteris possis. Gratias ago; nam video morti eius si celebretur a te immortalem gloriam esse propositam.
You seek that I write about the destruction of my uncle, by which you are able to hand over to your descendants more truly. I give thanks, I see that immortal glory has been offered to his death if he is celebrated by you.
2 Quamvis enim pulcherrimarum clade terrarum, ut populi ut urbes memorabili casu, quasi semper victurus occiderit, quamvis ipse plurima opera et mansura condiderit, multum tamen perpetuitati eius scriptorum tuorum aeternitas addet.
At the destruction of the most beautiful lands at the memorable catastrophe as the people as the city perished, He died as if always going to live, although he himself established very many works going to remain, however, the eternity of your writings will add much to his continuation.
3 Equidem beatos puto, quibus deorum munere datum est aut facere scribenda aut scribere legenda, beatissimos vero quibus utrumque. Horum in numero avunculus meus et suis libris et tuis erit. Quo libentius suscipio, deposco etiam quod iniungis.
Indeed, I think those people are blessed to whom by the gift of the gods it has been given either to do things that must be written about or write things that must be read, indeed the most blessed to whom both (has been given). In the number of these things will be my uncle and by my own books and yours. By which I take this up rather gladly, I even demand a thing which you take up
4 Erat Miseni classemque imperio praesens regebat. Nonum Kal. Septembres hora fere septima mater mea indicat ei apparere nubem inusitata et magnitudine et specie.
He was at Misenum and he was ruling the fleet with authority being present. On the ninth day before the Kalends of September (August 24th) at almost the seventh hour (1 after midday), my mother said that a cloud appeared to him with a size and appearance unseen before.
5 Usus ille sole, mox frigida, gustaverat iacens studebatque; poscit soleas, ascendit locum ex quo maxime miraculum illud conspici poterat. Nubes — incertum procul intuentibus ex quo monte; Vesuvium fuisse postea cognitum est — oriebatur, cuius similitudinem et formam non alia magis arbor quam pinus expresserit.
Having enjoyed the sun, soon the cold (water), reclining he had tasted (Eaten) and was studying; He demands sandals, he climbs up to a place from which he was very much able to catch sight of that miracle. The cloud was rising - it was uncertain to those watching far off from which mountain; afterwards it was learned that it had been Vesuvius - whose likeness and shape had been expressed no other tree more than a pine.
6 Nam longissimo velut trunco elata in altum quibusdam ramis diffundebatur, credo quia recenti spiritu evecta, dein senescente eo destituta aut etiam pondere suo victa in latitudinem vanescebat, candida interdum, interdum sordida et maculosa prout terram cineremve sustulerat.
For (the cloud) was being spread out with some sort of branches, having been carried out into the sky (on high) as if from a very long trunk, I believe, because it (the cloud) had been carried out by recent breath of air/exhalation, then having been abandoned by this growing old, or even having been conquered by its own weight, it was disappearing into its width (i.e. horizontally), white/gleaming meanwhile, meanwhile dirty and "dotty" (speckled/patchy), just as/accordingly as it had raised ground/earth or ash.
7 Magnum propiusque noscendum ut eruditissimo viro visum. Iubet liburnicam aptari; mihi si venire una vellem facit copiam; respondi studere me malle, et forte ipse quod scriberem dederat.
Something big and nearer must be known or recognized as it seemed to the very learned man. He orders the ship (Libernicum) to be fitted; to me, he makes an opportunity if I want to come together. I responded that I prefer to study and he himself by chance had given what i should write.
8 Egrediebatur domo; accipit codicillos Rectinae Tasci imminenti periculo exterritae — nam villa eius subiacebat, nec ulla nisi navibus fuga -: ut se tanto discrimini eriperet orabat.
He was leaving cfrom the house; He accepted the little books of Rectina, Wife of Tascius, terrified by the imminent danger (for her house was lying under (the mountain), neither was there any escape if not by boats): she was begging that he snatched away from such a great danger.
9 Vertit ille consilium et quod studioso animo incohaverat obit maximo. Deducit quadriremes, ascendit ipse non Rectinae modo sed multis — erat enim frequens amoenitas orae — laturus auxilium.
He considers a plan and which he took up in his studious mind and follows it with the greatest spirit. Pliny the Elder lead out the Quadrine (ship) he himself boarded going to carry help not only to Rectina, but to many - the beauty of the shore was crowded.
10 Properat illuc unde alii fugiunt, rectumque cursum recta gubernacula in periculum tenet adeo solutus metu, ut omnes illius mali motus omnes figuras ut deprenderat oculis dictaret enotaretque.
He hurried to that place from which others were escaping. He holds a straight course and straight rudders into danger so free from fear, so that he dictated and noted down all the motions of that evilness all the figures as he noticed them with his eyes.
11 Iam navibus cinis incidebat, quo propius accederent, calidior et densior; iam pumices etiam nigrique et ambusti et fracti igne lapides; iam vadum subitum ruinaque montis litora obstantia. Cunctatus paulum an retro flecteret, mox gubernatori ut ita faceret monenti 'Fortes' inquit 'fortuna iuvat: Pomponianum pete.'
Now on the boats the ash was falling, hotter and denser, as they approached nearer. Now, the pumice and also the stones, black, burned, and broken by fire; Now the shallow stream was approached and the shores were blocking the destruction of the mountain. Having delayed by a little whether he should bend back, he said to the helmsman, warning him to act thus "Fortune favors the brave, head for Pomponianus".
12 Stabiis erat diremptus sinu medio — nam sensim circumactis curvatisque litoribus mare infunditur -; ibi quamquam nondum periculo appropinquante, conspicuo tamen et cum cresceret proximo, sarcinas contulerat in naves, certus fugae si contrarius ventus resedisset. Quo tunc avunculus meus secundissimo invectus, complectitur trepidantem consolatur hortatur, utque timorem eius sua securitate leniret, deferri in balineum iubet; lotus accubat cenat, aut hilaris aut — quod aeque magnum — similis hilari.
He was at Stabiae, cut off by the middle bay - For with the shores surrounded and curved, the sea is poured in gradually and gently - there, although with danger approaching, however with danger obvious and very near, since it was increasing, he gathered baggage onto the boats, certain of escape if the opposing wind had receded. To which place my uncle having been carried to that place by a very favorable wind, he embraced the trembling Pomponianus, he consoled him and encourages him, he orders himself to be carried to the baths, so that he would soothe/lesson his fear with his own security/confidence. Having been washed, he ate either cheerful or - which is equally great - similar to cheerful.
13 Interim e Vesuvio monte pluribus locis latissimae flammae altaque incendia relucebant, quorum fulgor et claritas tenebris noctis excitabatur. Ille agrestium trepidatione ignes relictos desertasque villas per solitudinem ardere in remedium formidinis dictitabat. Tum se quieti dedit et quievit verissimo quidem somno; nam meatus animae, qui illi propter amplitudinem corporis gravior et sonantior erat, ab iis qui limini obversabantur audiebatur.
Meanwhile from Mount Vesuvius, in many locations the widest flames and tall fires were shining, of which the brightness and clarity were being stirred up in the darkness of night. That one was dictating that the flames left behind by the trembling of the farmers and the houses deserted through the loneliness burn in remedy of fear. Then gave himself to rest and he rested with the truest sleep indeed; for the movement of the spirit, which was heavier for him and louder on account of the size of his body, by those who were observing at the doorstep was heard.
14 Sed area ex qua diaeta adibatur ita iam cinere mixtisque pumicibus oppleta surrexerat, ut si longior in cubiculo mora, exitus negaretur. Excitatus procedit, seque Pomponiano ceterisque qui pervigilaverant reddit.
But the courtyard area, from which the room was approached, had risen thus having been filled by ash and mixed up pumice now, so that if the delay were longer in the bedroom, an exit would be denied. Having been awakened he proceeded and he went back to Pomponianus and the others who had kept watch.
15 In commune consultant, intra tecta subsistant an in aperto vagentur. Nam crebris vastisque tremoribus tecta nutabant, et quasi emota sedibus suis nunc huc nunc illuc abire aut referri videbantur.
They consult in common, (whether) they should stay inside the roof or wander about in the open. For the roofs were shaking with the numerous and destructive earthquakes, and as if having been removed from its foundations now here now there it seemed to leave or to be brought back.
16 Sub dio rursus quamquam levium exesorumque pumicum casus metuebatur, quod tamen periculorum collatio elegit; et apud illum quidem ratio rationem, apud alios timorem timor vicit. Cervicalia capitibus imposita linteis constringunt; id munimentum adversus incidentia fuit.
From the heavens they were fearing the falling of the pumice although light and hollow, which however the collection of dangers chose; and with him (Pliny the elder) indeed his logic conquers logic but with others fear conquered fear. They strung pillows on their heads put on linen strips; that was a protection from falling things.
17 Iam dies alibi, illic nox omnibus noctibus nigrior densiorque; quam tamen faces multae variaque lumina solvebant. Placuit egredi in litus, et ex proximo adspicere, ecquid iam mare admitteret; quod adhuc vastum et adversum permanebat.
Already there was day elsewhere, there it was night, more black and more dense than all other nights; which however many torches and various light were loosening. It pleased to depart onto the shore, and to see from nearest place, what now the sea sent in; which still was remaining empty and opposite.
18 Ibi super abiectum linteum recubans semel atque iterum frigidam aquam poposcit hausitque. Deinde flammae flammarumque praenuntius odor sulpuris alios in fugam vertunt, excitant illum.
Reclining there above thrown out linens simultaneous as soon as he demanded cold water again and he drank it. Then the flames and the announcer of flames, the smell of sulfur, turned others in escape, they excited that one.
19 Innitens servolis duobus assurrexit et statim concidit, ut ego colligo, crassiore caligine spiritu obstructo, clausoque stomacho qui illi natura invalidus et angustus et frequenter aestuans erat.
Struggling he stood up with two little servants and immediately he fell, as i gather, with the smoke denser with his breath obstructed, and with his esophagus closed which was in nature sick and narrow and frequently inflamed.
20 Ubi dies redditus — is ab eo quem novissime viderat tertius -, corpus inventum integrum illaesum opertumque ut fuerat indutus: habitus corporis quiescenti quam defuncto similior.
When the day returned -- this is the third day from the day which he had seen last --, his body has been found intact unharmed and hidden as it had been covered: the state of the body was more similar to one resting than to one withdrawn.
21 Interim Miseni ego et mater — sed nihil ad historiam, nec tu aliud quam de exitu eius scire voluisti. Finem ergo faciam.
Meanwhile my mom and I were in misenem - but you wanted to know not that pertains to history, nore did you want to know other than about his death (going out). Therefore I will make an end.
22 Unum adiciam, omnia me quibus interfueram quaeque statim, cum maxime vera memorantur, audieram, persecutum. Tu potissima excerpes; aliud est enim epistulam aliud historiam, aliud amico aliud omnibus scribere. Vale.
One thing i will add, that I hunted all of these things in which I had been involved and which I had heard at once, when things are remembered especially truly. You will take the most suitable; one thing to write a letter another thing to write history, another thing to write to a friend another thing to write to everyone. Be well.
