Date: Wed, 9 Dec 1992 16:48:29 -0600
From: "William M. Porter" <WMPORTER@JETSON.UH.EDU>
Subject: fire briagdes (in Pliny)
Sender: Classical Greek and Latin Discussion Group <CLASSICS@UWAVM.BITNET>


This is a digression from the subject of fire brigades in Juvenal, but I'm
reminded of the funny exchange of letters between Pliny & Trajan (Ep.
10.33-34) in which Pliny's suggestion that he be allowed for form a fire
brigade is nixed by the emperor who says, 'You know--these associations always
turn into political clubs ("hetaeriae") in no time.' Pliny had apparently
anticipated >some< reluctance on the part of the emperor, for in his letter he
guarantees that nobody will be admitted into a brigade who is not genuinely a
"faber." B. Radice in the Loeb translates this "fireman." But if there were no
fire brigades already....

Will Porter / U. of Houston