The construction of Pliny, the Younger self-representation in his Letters

Abstract

With the present study, we aimed at analyzing how Pliny, the Younger, represented himself in his Letters, with the aid of the concept of éthos. Throughout the analysis, the letters were divided into four categories: a) direct speech about himself; b) self-compliment through third parties' speech; c) description of events as an excuse to use his own behavior as a role model and d) desire of surviving posterity. We also discuss Pliny's epistolographic writing as possibly written to intentionally amplify his own literary impact as an author.