Letter from pliny

[1] It is proper for me, sir, to report to you everything about which I am in doubt. For who can better either control my indecision or instruct my ignorance?

[1] Sollemne est mihi, domine, omnia de quibus dubito ad te referre. Quis enim potest melius vel cunctationem meam regere vel ignorantiam instruere?

I have never taken part in the knowledge of Christians: therefore I do not know what and to what extent they are usually punished or sought.

Cognitionibus de Christianis interfui
numquam: ideo nescio quid et quatenus aut puniri soleat aut quaeri.

2] Nor did I hesitate moderately, whether there was any difference of age, or whether those of any age differed in no way from those of the more robust; Is forgiveness granted for repentance, or does it not benefit him, who was a Christian at all, to have given up?

[2] 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;

the name itself, if it is free from crimes, whether the crimes connected with the name are punished. Meanwhile, among those who were referred to me as Christians, I followed this manner.

nomen ipsum, si flagitiis careat, an flagitia cohaerentia nomini puniantur. Interim, in iis qui ad me tamquam Christiani deferebantur, hunc sum secutus modum.

[3] I asked them whether they were Christians. I questioned them a second time and a third time under threat of execution; I ordered them to continue to lead.

[3] Interrogavi ipsos an essent Christiani. Confitentes iterum ac tertio interrogavi supplicium minatus; perseverantes duci iussi.

For I had no doubt that, whatever they admitted, their obstinacy and inflexible obstinacy must certainly be punished.

Neque enim dubitabam, qualecumque esset quod faterentur,
pertinaciam certe et inflexibilem obstinationem debere puniri.

[4] There were others of similar madness, whom, because they were Roman citizens, I registered to be sent back to the city.

[4] Fuerunt alii similis amentiae, quos, quia cives Romani erant, adnotavi in urbem remittendos.

Soon after the treatment itself, as is usually the case, many species fell into the crime spreading themselves.

Mox ipso tractatu, ut fieri solet, diffundente se crimine plures species inciderunt.

[5] A pamphlet containing the names of many without an author was proposed. I thought that those who denied that they were Christians or had been, when they called me gods before them, and prayed to your images, which for this reason I had ordered to be brought with the images of the gods,

5] 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 afferri,

fire and wine, and also spoke ill of Christ, whom it is said that nothing can be compelled, who are really Christians, should be dismissed.

ure ac vino supplicarent, praeterea male dicerent Christo, quorum nihil cogi posse dicuntur qui sunt re vera Christiani, dimittendos putavi.

[6] Others named from the list said they were Christians, and soon denied it; it was indeed but ceased, some three years ago, some more years ago, none even before twenty.

[6] 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.

All these also worshiped your image and their idols and spoke evil of Christ.

Hi quoque omnes et imaginem tuam deorumque simulacra venerati sunt et Christo male dixerunt.

[7] And they affirmed that this was the sum of either their fault or their error, that they were wont to assemble before dawn on a fixed day, and to sing the hymn to Christ as if they were a god; ,lest they deny the deposition of the appellant.

7] Affirmabant 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.

After these things had been accomplished, it was his custom to depart and to come together again to take food, however promiscuous and harmless; which he himself ceased to do after my edict, by which I had ceased to be heretics according to your commandments.

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.

[8] I thought it all the more necessary to inquire of the two maids, who were called ministers, what was the truth, and by torture.

[8] Quo magis necessarium credidi ex duabus ancillis, quae ministrae dicebantur, quid esset veri, et per tormenta quaerere.

I have found nothing but wrong and excessive superstition.

Nihil aliud inveni quam superstitionem pravam et immodicam.

[9] Ideo dilata cognitione ad consulendum te decucurri.

[9] For this reason, I ran to consult you with extensive knowledge.

For it seemed to me a matter worthy of consultation, especially on account of the number of persons in danger.

Visa est enim mihi res digna consultatione, maxime propter periclitantium numerum.

For many of every age, of every order, and of both sexes are also called into danger, and will be called.

Multi enim omnis aetatis, omnis ordinis, utriusque sexus etiam vocantur in periculum et vocabuntur.

Not only the cities, but even the villages and the fields, this contagion has pervaded the superstition; which seems to be able to be stopped and corrected.

Neque civitates tantum, sed vicos etiam atque agros superstitionis istius contagio pervagata est; quae videtur sisti et corrigi posse.

[10] Certainly it is quite clear that the celebrations began near the already desolate temples, and the sacred ceremonies, long interrupted, were resumed and the flesh of the victims was brought here and there, for which a very rare buyer was still found.

[10] Certe satis constat prope iam desolata templa coepisse celebrari, et sacra sollemnia diu intermissa repeti passimque venire carnem victimarum, cuius adhuc rarissimus emptor inveniebatur.

From which it is easy to imagine what multitude of men can be reformed, if there is room for repentance.

Ex quo facile est opinari, quae turba hominum emendari possit, si sit paenitentiae locus.