16. Pliny's Letter Part 7. Adieu, Pliny!

Born in the Second Century

The series finale of the exposure of Pliny's letter about Christians as a forgery. BORN IN THE SECOND CENTURY surveys the wreckage left in its wake. We climbed and we climbed. Oh, how we climbed.
Anyone who listens to this episode can learn that no one until 1502 AD seems aware of Pliny's Letter, unless they've heard about it from the writings of Tertullian. Host Chris Palmero also does a wrap-up refuting the arguments for the letter's authenticity, explains why it was forged, and speculates on the identity of the forger. A strange guest appearance closes the show.
Opening reading: In "Antiquity Unveiled," J.M. Roberts describes a séance in which Pliny the Younger was summoned from the dead.

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Music: Pompeii Gray on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, SoundCloud

Chapters

1. Reading: J.M. ROBERTS, Antiquity Unveiled. (00:00:47)

2. OPENING Remarks. (00:02:23)

3. Close Reading RE-INTRO. (00:13:41)

4. REDCARD: Intertextuality with Mark (Two Women). (00:14:46)

5. Close Reading CONTINUATION. (00:16:37)

6. REDCARD: Lack of Incidence of Christianity. (00:18:28)

7. REDCARD: Groups of Three. (00:19:30)

8. REDCARD: Christianity a "Danger." (00:20:46)

9. REDCARD: Non Sequitur on Repentance. (00:21:07)

10. REDCARD: Intertextuality with Acts (Temples Bankrupt). (00:23:04)

11. Discussion of Trajan's RESPONSE. (00:25:18)

12. Intro to the Reception WALKABOUT. (00:30:58)

13. The Reception WALKABOUT. (00:42:53)

14. Arguments for AUTHENTICITY. (01:18:11)

15. Why Pliny's Letter was FORGED. (01:29:44)

16. IDENTITY of the Forger. (01:38:40)

17. CLOSING Remarks. (01:44:04)