How the Pliny’s ancient writings created a lasting impact by inspiring Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” and Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol.”
“Pliny the Younger” refers to Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus, a Roman author and lawyer who witnessed the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE is most famous for his collection of letters. “Pliny the Elder” refers to his uncle, Gaius Plinius Secundus, a renowned natural historian who died during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Pliny the Younger is the nephew of Pliny the Elder, and both are known for their significant written works from ancient Rome.


Pliny the Elder. (Left) Pliny the Younger. (Right). Encyclopedia Britannica. Mary Evans Picture Library Ltd / age fotostock .
Pliny the Elder wrote the Natural History, an encyclopaedic work of uneven accuracy that was an authority on scientific matters up to the Middle Ages.

Pliny the Younger and his Mother at Misenum AD 79, Angelica Kauffmann, 1785, (Courtesy of Princeton University Art Museum
Read more about Pliny.
Mary Beard for The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/jun/22/olympic-games-ancient-modern
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