Pliny the Younger

Pliny the Younger was a lawyer, author, and magistrate in Ancient Rome. He is not to be confused with his uncle, Pliny the Elder, who helped raise and educate him. They both witnessed Mt. Vesuvius erupt on August 24th, 74 AD. This was the day of Pliny the Elder's death. Pliny is known for his hundreds of surviving letters. These are an invaluable historical source for study of Pliny's contemporary time period (ca. 1st cent AD). Many of these letters are to emperors, nobles, historians (ie. Tacitus). Pliny himself was a notable figure, who served as imperial magistrate under Trajan. Pliny was an honest and moderate man who rose through the cursus honorum (series of political and military offices).

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Pliny Writes to His Friends

I am angry; I know I ought not be, but I am angry.  You know how at times unjust, how often out of control, how always rather prone to complain about trifles love may be. I do not know whether that cause may be just; Nevertheless it is important, and I deeply am angry, because it had been so long with no letters from you. You are able to win me over in one way, if at least now the greatest and longest letters you will have sent. I only make these true amends, the remaining will seem wrong. I am not about to hear "I am not in the city" or "I was occupied"; May they forbid that I may hear "I am sick." Think how much care I may hold for you. To know I desire which you make and will make. Now send the greatest amount and longest letters! Farewell!
-Pliny, Epistles 2.2
15 Parsed verbs:
1. Suscenseo-1st person singular present active indicative of "suscensere" meaning "to be angry"
2. Nescio-1st person singular present active indicative of "nescire" meaning "to not know"
3. Debeam-2st person singular present active subjunctive of "debere" meaning "to owe"
4. Scis-2nd person singular present active indicative of "scire" meaning "to know"
5. Sit-3rd person singular present active subjunctive of "esse" meaning "to be"
6. Est-3rd person singular present active indicative of "esse" meaning "to be"
7. Fuerunt-3rd person plural perfect active indicative of "esse" meaning "to be"
8. Exorare-present active infinitive meaning "to win over by begging"
9. Potes-3rd person singular present active indicative of "posse" meaning "to be able to"
10. Miseris-2nd person singular present active subjunctive of "mittere" meaning "to send"
11. Excusatio-1st person singular present active indicative of "excusare" meaning "to make amends"
12. Videbuntur-3rd person plural future passive indicative of "videre" meaning "to seem"
13. Sum-1st person singular present active indicative of "esse" meaning "to be"
14. Eram-3rd person singular imperfect active indicative of "esse" meaning "to be"
15. Sinant-3rd person plural present active indicative of "sinere" meaning "to allow"