Pliny the Elder conspiracy

One of the few accounts of the eruption of Vesuvius (24th august 79AD) can be found in the letters of Pliny the younger. His letter (the death of Pliny the Elder) was ordered by the Historian Tacitus and tells of The Elder Pliny leading a rescue attempt across the bay of Naples to save civilians from the eruption. He dies at the end and it is the description of his death that has lead some historians to believe that it was no accident but was orchestrated by Pliny the younger. The reasons for this may be many and varied but it would seem that the most likely is that he would probably have recieved a great deal of inheritance money.

The account contains the following passage

Original latin: ubi dies redditus est (is ab eo quem novissime viderat tertius), corpus inventum est integrum inlaesum opertumque ut fuerat indutus: habitus corporis dormienti quam mortuo similior.

Translated: When daylight returned (this was the third day from the one that he had last seen), his body was found intact, uninjured and covered as he had been dressed; the appeareance of the body was more like one sleeping than one dead.

We know from a previous passage that the only humans who remained with him were two slaves who could easily have been in the employ of his nephew (Pliny the Younger)after all of the other crew had fled for their lives from the volcanic eruption. This presents perfect opportunity for murder. The above translated passage goes into great depth relating to the condition of the body which is uncharacteristic for the author and can therefore lead to suspicion. There is emphasis on the fact that "the body was found intact, uninjured and covered as he had been dressed" and is is odd to mention these facts given the circumstances; the corpse would most likely have been damaged by falling pumice, the atrocious weather or wild animals and ,so, we can be sceptical. It is possible that these 'facts' were mentioned merely to shift suspicion from the Pliny the younger and the slaves.

There was perfect motive, opportunity and very suspicious circumstances with no civilian witnesses it is therefore likely that his death was no mere accident but a murder.

Resources:

Latin original: Cambridge Latin Anthology
English translation: Saint Bartholomew's Latin group.

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