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Chapter 7 - Pliny’s Seneca and the Intertextuality of Grief
from Part III - Pliny and Seneca: Discourses of Grief and Posthumous Reputation
- By Michael Hanaghan
Edited by Margot Neger, University of Cyprus, Spyridon Tzounakas, University of Cyprus
Book:

Intertextuality in Pliny's <i>Epistles</i>

Published online:

07 September 2023

Print publication:

21 September 2023, pp 149-163
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Summary

This chapter analyses how Pliny absorbs the consolatory philosophy of Seneca. It focuses on his intertextual use of two of Seneca’s epistles (98 and 99) that treat death, arguing that Ep. 98 looms behind Corellius Rufus’ decision to die (1.12), and that Regulus’ display of grief following the death of his son (4.2) echoes Seneca’s condemnation of improper mourning practice in Ep. 99. The allusions reveal Pliny’s opportunistic engagement with Seneca’s philosophical consideration of grief, agreeing and disagreeing with his epistolary predecessor depending upon the specific circumstances of the bereavement. Both his absorption and rejection of Seneca’s arguments show that he could engage and apply philosophical concepts to express his own grief or criticise other’s.