Pliny 10.96 Translation

Sollemne est mihi, domine, omnia de quibus dubito ad te referre. Quis enim potest melius vel cunctationem meam regere vel ignorantiam instruere? Cognitionibus de Christianis interfui nunquam. Ideo nescio quid et quatenus aut puniri soleat aut quaeri.

It is customary to me, master, to refer to you about everything which I doubt. Who is able to rule my delay better or instruct my ignorance. I was never present at the thinkings about Christians. Therefore I do not know what is customary either to be punished on to be sought or how far.

Nec mediocriter haesitavi, sitne aliquod discrimen aetatum, an quamlibet teneri nihil a robustioribus differant; detur paenitentiae venia, an ei, qui omnino Christianus fuit, desisse non prosit; homen ipsum, si flagitiis careat, an flagita cohaerentia nomini puniantur. Interim, in iis, qui ad me tamquam Christiani deferebantur, hunc sum secutus modum.

Nor did I hesitate slightly any distinction for ages, or however young, they are not at all different from the more mature. Whether forgiveness should be given for his repentence whether to have ceased does not benefit him who was entirely Christian. Whether the title itself should be punished if it lacks shameful acts. Or whether the disgraceful acts attached to the name should be punished. Meanwhile, among those which were carried down to me, as though Christians, that I followed in this way.

Interrogavi ipsos an essent Christiani. Confitentes iterum ac tertio interrogavi supplicium minatus. Perseverantes duci iussi. Neque enim dubitabam, qualecumque esset, quod faterentur, pertinaciam certe et inflexibilem obstationem debere puniri.

I have asked they themselves if they are Christian. I asked these confessing again and a third time threatening punishment, I ordered the steadfast to be taken away. Indeed I was not doubting, therefore, whatever it was, which they admitted, their pertinacity and their inflexible stubbornness.

Fuerunt alii similis amentiae, quos, quia cives Romani erant, adnotavi in urbem remittendos. Mox ipso tractatu, ut fieri solet, diffunduente se crimine plures species incinderunt

There were others of a similar madness which I recommended into the city, because they were citizens of Rome. Soon by the process itself as it is accustomed to happen with the change spreading in all directions, many more accusations happened.

Propositus est libellus sine auctore multorum nomina continens. Qui negabant esse se Christianos aut fuisse, cum praeeunte me deos appellarent, et imagini tuae, quam propter hoc iusseram cum simulacris numinum adferri, ture ac vino supplicarent, praeterea male dicerent Christo, quorum nihil posse cogi dicuntur, qui sunt re vera Christiani, dimittendos esse putavi.

A little book without an author was displayed, containing the names of many those who denied that they were Christian or had been when with me leading the way, they called upon the gods, and prayed to your image, which I had ordered to be brought with images of the divine powers with incense and wine. Besides they cursed Christ, more of which things those who are said to be truly Christians are said to be unable to do.

Alii ab indice nominati esse se Christianos dixerunt et mox negaverunt; fuisse quidem, sed desisse, quidam ante triennium, quidam ante plures annos, non nemo etiam ante viginti. Hi quoque omnes et imaginem tuam deorumque simulacrua venerati sunt et Christo male dixerunt.

I thought those who should be denied be dismissed, others, having been nominated by an informant, said that they themselves were Christians and soon denied it, indeed they had been, but stopped. Some before three years, some before four, and some even before twenty. These men all also adore your image and the images of the gods and cursed Christ.

Adfirmabant autem hanc fuisse summam vel culpae suae vel erroris, quod essent soliti stato die ante lucem convenire carmenque Christo quasi deo dicere secum invicem seque sacramento non in scelus aliquod obstringere, sed ne furta, ne latrocinia, ne adulteria committerent, ne fidem fallerent, ne depositum appellati abnegarent; quibus peractis, morem sibi discedendi fuisse rursusque coeundi ad capiendum cibum, promiscuum tamen et innoxium; quod ipsum facere desisse post edictum meum, quo secundum mandata tua hetaerias esse vetueram.

They affirmed, however, that this was the high point, of their fault or their error. They were in the habit of assembling before light on an appointed day and that they said the song for Christ; just as if he was a god each in turn with eachother and they did not confine themselves they were accustomed to bind in a sacrament not out of wickedness. They did not commit theft, or robbery, or adultery. That they did not deceive faith, or did not deny the deposit having been called on. And with these things having been finished they confirmed there had been a custom there had been a pattern of leaving and coming back together. Beginning to dinner, but not cannibalism however and harmless; which this is made after your edict, which is your second mandate forbidding unions.

Quo magis necessarium credidi ex duabus ancillis, quae ministrae dicebantur, quid esset veri, et per tormenta quaerere. Nihil aliud inveni quam superstitionem pravam immodicam. Ideo, dilata cognititione, ad consulendum te decucurri.

Which this necessary great belief out of maidservants, which they call ministers, what was true, and through torture. I found nothing other than immoderate and perverse superstition. Therefore, with the inquiry having been delayed, I ran down to consult you.

Visa est enim mihi res digna consultatione, maxime propter periclitantium numerum. Multi enim omnis aetatis, omnis ordinis, utriusque sexus etiam vocantur in periculam et vocabuntur. Neque civitates tantum, sed vicos etiam atque agros superstitionis istius contagio pervagata est; quae videtur sisti et corrigi posse.

That seemed to me worth consulting especially because of the number of those being in danger. Many have been called into danger and will be called into danger. Of all ages, all ranks, and even of each sex the contagion that superstition has spread out. Not only states, but also villages and farms. Which seems to be able to be corrected and reformed.

certe satis constat prope iam desolata templa coepisse celebrari, et sacra sollemnia diu intermissa repeti, passimque venire carnem victimarum, cuius adhuc rarissimus emptor inveniebatur. Ex quo facile est opinari, quae turba hominum emendari possit, si sit paenitentiae locus.

Certainly it is generally agreed that they have begun to celebrate now many desolate temples, and the sacred solemn rights, long time stopped, are sought again and the meat of sacrificial victims is on sale. A buyer of that meat was up to this point very rarely found. For which reason it is easy to suppose, which crowd of men, is able to be corrected, if there is an opportunity.