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The Roman Author Pliny the Younger Gets Ghosted by a Friend, and Goes on a Rant: Hear It Read by Actor Rob Delaney
https://aeon.co/videos/an-ancient-romans-hilarious-and-perhaps-relatable-response-to-a-social-snub
In the events series Letters Live, performers read notable letters – old and new, original and written by others – in front of a live audience. In this video, as part of the Letters Live event at the Royal Albert Hall in London in November 2023, the US-born comedian Rob Delaney reads a 1st-century letter by the ancient Roman lawyer and writer Pliny the Younger. Addressing his friend Septicius Clarus, who had stood him up for a meal, Pliny excoriates his flaky dinner mate for the boorishness of his offence, and laments the unrealised joys they surely would have shared. Performed with delightful verve by Delaney, the short is both hilarious and humanising. For, although we might not long for the delicacies of three snails, two eggs and a lettuce, the pain of a social slight still cuts deep.
In the events series Letters Live, performers read notable letters – old and new, original and written by others – in front of a live audience. In this video, as part of the Letters Live event at the Royal Albert Hall in London in November 2023, the US-born comedian Rob Delaney reads a 1st-century letter by the ancient Roman lawyer and writer Pliny the Younger. Addressing his friend Septicius Clarus, who had stood him up for a meal, Pliny excoriates his flaky dinner mate for the boorishness of his offence, and laments the unrealised joys they surely would have shared. Performed with delightful verve by Delaney, the short is both hilarious and humanising. For, although we might not long for the delicacies of three snails, two eggs and a lettuce, the pain of a social slight still cuts deep.
https://www.openculture.com/2024/01/the-roman-author-pliny-the-younger-gets-ghosted-by-a-friend-and-goes-on-a-rant.html
Pliny the Younger may be best remembered for writing the only eye-witness account of the destruction of Pompeii in 79 AD. It’s a memorable letter still found in modern collections of Pliny the Younger’s correspondence. There, you can also find a simple letter authored by Pliny, one that reflects not on a shattering historical event, but rather something we can all relate to: the anger the author felt upon getting ghosted by a friend. To set the scene, Pliny had invited Septicius Clarus to join him for some food, wine, and conversation. But his friend never showed up, and so Pliny fired off a snub letter, which actor and comedian Rob Delaney reads above at a Letters Live event. You can follow along with the text below:
In the end, Pliny forgave his friend. For Pliny dedicated the first of his letter to Septicius, stating: “You have constantly urged me to collect and publish the more highly finished of the letters that I may have written. I have made such a collection… I can only hope that you will not have cause to regret the advice you gave, and that I shall not repent having followed it.” You can read the collection online here.
Pliny the Younger may be best remembered for writing the only eye-witness account of the destruction of Pompeii in 79 AD. It’s a memorable letter still found in modern collections of Pliny the Younger’s correspondence. There, you can also find a simple letter authored by Pliny, one that reflects not on a shattering historical event, but rather something we can all relate to: the anger the author felt upon getting ghosted by a friend. To set the scene, Pliny had invited Septicius Clarus to join him for some food, wine, and conversation. But his friend never showed up, and so Pliny fired off a snub letter, which actor and comedian Rob Delaney reads above at a Letters Live event. You can follow along with the text below:
In the end, Pliny forgave his friend. For Pliny dedicated the first of his letter to Septicius, stating: “You have constantly urged me to collect and publish the more highly finished of the letters that I may have written. I have made such a collection… I can only hope that you will not have cause to regret the advice you gave, and that I shall not repent having followed it.” You can read the collection online here.
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